(Revision date: October 30, 2019)
Dear Bionerds parent or guardian,
Your child will be participating in exciting and fun hands-on biology experiments, activities and games, but at the same time he or she will be handling including but not limited to chemicals, science tools that may be sharp, equipment, and living and preserved organisms. The potential for accident and injury exist, therefore, it is very important that your child to follow these rules to lower the risks. Please review these rules and guidelines with your child before the session or event starts. SAFETY is our number one priority.
By registering your child to our program, you acknowledge the Laboratory Rules and Safety Guidelines and consequences of not following the rules.
- Your child should wear comfortable clothes, but no loose clothing. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory in the laboratory setting. No sandals allowed. Long hair must be tied up. Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as laboratory coat/apron, goggles and gloves are mandatory for some topics. Other equipment such as masks are optional.
- Your child is expected to pay close attention to any verbal instructions given throughout the class. Also, the appropriate and respectful manner is expected when participating in all activities. They must follow safety instructions. Please refer to our Participant Code of Conduct that students have to follow for a safe and fun learning environment in our program. Failure to follow these rules may result in denial of program participation privileges. Thank you for your cooperation.
- If the inappropriate or unsafe behavior occurs, your child will be given verbal warnings in class.
- If the inappropriate or unsafe behavior persists, the instructor should report the issue(s) to the parent/guardian, appropriate facility if applicable, and an Incident Report will be filled out.
- If the inappropriate or unsafe behavior still persists, your child may be denied participating in our program until the issue(s) has been addressed, corrected and resolved.
- No food or drink allowed in the classroom/laboratory environment. For exceptions, some of our curriculums involve food and drink that we can taste. Nevertheless, never taste anything in the laboratory if not instructed so, including food as well chemicals. Do not eat or drink from the laboratory glassware.
- Most of the chemicals we use in the programs are kids-friendly or household products, but there are exceptions. Therefore, it is important for you to review this Safety Guidelines to your child. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the chemicals use are available upon request.
- Do NOT use any equipment or tools in class without proper instructions. Report any equipment malfunction to the instructor or staff. Do not use it until further notice.
- All students will be able to participate in dissection activities in class while following the policies below to ensure safety in class.
- Proper PPE is worn as mentioned in Section 1. Do not put any specimen or contaminated gloves in mouth or other body parts such as skin or face.
- Students who are 8 years of age and older may handle dissecting scissors in class providing they are able to follow instructions to handle them safely.
- For students who are younger than 8 years of age, our staff will help them cut during dissections. They are welcome to use other tools provided to explore, touch and handle the specimens.
- No other sharp tools such as blades, scalpel, or knife can be used by any students in class (for teacher use ONLY).
- We educate our students to RESPECT any specimens in class even though they are no longer living. We are grateful we can use those specimens for our scientific learning purposes. We do NOT tolerate unnecessary mutilation or dismemberment during dissections.
- Questions regarding safety/good lab practice should be addressed to Bionerds instructor or staff immediately. When in doubt, please ask.
- Your child is not to perform any unauthorized experiments (other than those specifically approved by instructor) under any circumstances.
- Reduce accident by being neat. The work area should be kept clear of all materials except those needed for the immediate task.
- First aid kit is available to use when necessary.
In the case of accident:
- Your child should notify the instructor or staff immediately.
- An Accident Report will be filled out as needed and the parent/guardian and the appropriate facility if applicable will be contacted and informed.
- Staff will contact the medical assistant or 911 when deemed necessary. The parent/guardian will be responsible for all medical costs incurred.
