I completed the ITEEA safety courses over the 2019-20 school year. Of particular interest were the 3D printing course and learning about particulate produced during printing, that PLA was safer than ABS (but both require ventilation).
I also enjoyed learning about the work permit system and am looking forward to developing something similar for my school’s Design Labs and Robotics Lab. Having students able to recognize and identify their own developing skills is empowering and good for safety. This can also be transferred to equipment generally, such as our recording studios and mobile podcasting studio.
- September: General Safety Topics in STEM Education: Examining the progress of safety in STEM education and reviewing ten recommendations for a safer school year.
- October: Safer Lab Design and Maintenance: A well-maintained lab is a safer lab. Explore strategies to involve students in laboratory maintenance.
- November: Chemical Safety: Fostering a culture of STEM lab chemical safety.
- December: 3-D Printing Safety: Can 3-D printers cause harm?
- January: The Work Permit System; Safety in the Workplace (focus on workplace readiness): Holding students accountable for their actions.
- February: Safety in the Robotics Lab: From drones to battle bots, students build the most ingenious things but, is safety a concern?
- March: Handheld and Portable Tools: Enhancing technology and engineering in STEM classrooms; exploring safer tool usage.
- April: Large Power Tools: EbD course safety videos, hand and power tool guidelines, and more!
- May: Safer Makerspaces (focus on interdisciplinary considerations): Building in safer practices from the beginning.
- June: Accident Reports! A blessing and a curse. An introduction to liability for technology and engineering design teachers.