In order to kit out a laboratory for school it is necessary
for the institution to keep its statistics clear. Here by statistics it means
that of what scale the school is planning to make this laboratory. Setting up a
laboratory becomes easy if accurate strength of the students, equipments
required for carrying out experiments included in the syllabus and the budget
are known.
Not only this, an institution must have efficient lab
assistants. School teachers do have theoretical knowledge but they are no
substitute to lab assistants. Further it is necessary to segregate students in
groups. Within that group make students work in pair. Working in laboratory
must be a healthy exercise for students not a centre for boredom.
Laboratory is a place where discipline is the key for
safety. Students being new to much equipment fall prey to their instinct of
handling them recklessly. Here comes the role of the teacher and lab assistant
to introduce students with the laboratory procedures. For instance while
working on Bunsen burner especially in case when they are heating platinum wire
or heating solutions in test tubes, sometimes these test tubes burst not
because of their poor quality but because it was heated beyond a limit.
Even other equipments like microscopes and microscope slides
must be in sufficient number so that each student gets the chance to handle it.
Also laboratory safety wears like rubber gloves, clean aprons and appropriate
goggles must be provided by the institution to students in the lab. Emergency
washing area is another important thing which needs to be kept in mind while
equipping up a laboratory.
Considering the syllabus of the subject equipments should be
bought. The equipments in the laboratory should be able to cover all the
experiments included in the curriculum. Small equipments like clamps, tongs,
and stands are used regularly so they need to be of good quality.
A laboratory is not a place of just equipments for
experiments but also a place which creates interest of students in science. For
this the models plays a crucial role. Human skeletal model, anatomy model,
molecular model, electrical circuit, zoology model, botany model and specimens
of varied plants must also be a part of a good laboratory.
Laboratory is a necessity for schools in this era. Schools need
to mull it over that what is their purpose behind setting up a laboratory. A
laboratory of a school creates its reputation. Buying right amount of
equipments and of high quality must be the driving force behind the set up of a
laboratory.
To know more you may view Infographics :
