Laboratory Stools
Laboratory Stools
We have an ongoing debate about stools in our newly refurbished labs. To discourage students from sitting down when doing pracs the labs were designed not to have stools in them. However, everytime we have a prac exam the teachers (some) insist on stools being brought in the labs. What does evrybody else do?
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Ian
- Posts: 575
- Joined: 16 Oct 2006, 10:00
- Job Title: Lab Assistant
- School: Macarthur Anglican School
- Suburb: Cobbitty
- State/Location: NSW
Lab stools
We have a similar situation here, and have not entirely solved the problem either. We generally just have a handfull of stools around each lab, tucked out of the way as much as possible. At prac exam time, the lucky ones get stools, and some just have to sit on chairs and reach up. We generally find that not all prac exam stations will need to sit any way, and some stations will be at ordinary classroom desks where chairs will do.
regards
Ian
regards
Ian
Use of Stools in Laboratories
Hi All,
We have laboratories adjacent to our classrooms and it is here were the students come out to do the prac side of things.
We have no stools in the labs and the students stand to complete their work.
Historically Laboratories have been places where there usually are no chairs or stools (only in areas where sitting is required - For conducting final calculations etc.).
If the students were to sit down then there is an increased risk of those students sitting during the prac session because you invite them to.
Being too close to experiments, sometimes working below the experiment and certainly when one is to sit then there is a slow response to a chemical spill to get out of the way are some factors to take into consideration.
If the class requires to sit either to design posters or to do other passive work, then the chairs may be appropriate.
This is my opinion on the matter everyone may have different or similar views.
Hope this helps.
Robb...
We have laboratories adjacent to our classrooms and it is here were the students come out to do the prac side of things.
We have no stools in the labs and the students stand to complete their work.
Historically Laboratories have been places where there usually are no chairs or stools (only in areas where sitting is required - For conducting final calculations etc.).
If the students were to sit down then there is an increased risk of those students sitting during the prac session because you invite them to.
Being too close to experiments, sometimes working below the experiment and certainly when one is to sit then there is a slow response to a chemical spill to get out of the way are some factors to take into consideration.
If the class requires to sit either to design posters or to do other passive work, then the chairs may be appropriate.
This is my opinion on the matter everyone may have different or similar views.
Hope this helps.
Robb...
Dr Robert Crosdale. MRACI. NSS. NSSA. NASA.
Ph.D (Chem), Post Grad Ph.D (Physics), M.Ed, B.Sc (Hons), Dip. Appl. Sc. (Chem)
Lake Munmorah High School.
University of New England.
University of New South Wales.
University of Newcastle.
To understand the Universe from our perspective, we need to look towards our own backyard first for answers.
** AD ASTRA PER ASPERA - SEMPER EXPLORO **
Ph.D (Chem), Post Grad Ph.D (Physics), M.Ed, B.Sc (Hons), Dip. Appl. Sc. (Chem)
Lake Munmorah High School.
University of New England.
University of New South Wales.
University of Newcastle.
To understand the Universe from our perspective, we need to look towards our own backyard first for answers.
** AD ASTRA PER ASPERA - SEMPER EXPLORO **
Laboratory Stools
In four of our six labs, the lab bench is used for everything the students do.They sit at the benches for all their lessons and have to clear away their books, pencil cases etc, whenever they have a prac to do. It is certainly not an ideal situation, especially when non science classes also use the labs, but the school is old and our options are limited. The gas taps on the benches are continually being broken or blocked and the sinks are used as garbage bins. The water pipes are often vandalised as well and the stools are constantly breaking. So far two of the labs have been updated so that the benches are at the back and desks are at the front. We live in hope that the rest of the labs will one day be updated.
Carol
Carol
Laboratory Stools.
We are extremely lucky we have a classroom section in the middle of the labs, with carpet, desks and chairs and around the perimeter of the room we have work benches complete with sinks, gas taps and cupboards for storage. All students doing pracs must stand, that is one of the lab rules. If the student is not prepared to stand he has to go to the centre of the room and take a seat there. Chairs must stay on the carpeted area. Also I think you will find it is a Health and Safety issue. No one wants a solution of Acid in their lap. Also easier to work the gas taps and carefully use the glassware. Also easier to get out of the way if there is an accident. I know this does'nt help if you have an older lab. However I think you should at least insist that everyone stands when pracing! Hope this helps. Judy.
We're like Judy having carpeted area in the centre of the room with desks and benches on two walls with sinks and gas outlets. About 8 years ago we had the lab benches in the centre of the room (old style science lab) removed. We were moving into a middle school situation and needed the freedom of standard classroom desks to facilitate the style of learning we were promoting. To begin with the lose of experiment space was keenly felt, with time however we began to appreciate the flexibility of learning spaces we now have. We too have a firm sit down/sit out policy. If the students don't stand while doing pracs, they don't do pracs.
Yes we do have a small number of stools around the edges of the room to be used at the teaching staff's direction. Diana
Yes we do have a small number of stools around the edges of the room to be used at the teaching staff's direction. Diana
