It's Time for Science Podcast Episode 22: Fostering Safe Hands-On Science Environments

It's Time for Science, and it's time to talk again fostering safeR hands-on science environments! Tom talks to safety expert Dr. Kenneth R. Roy (Director of Environmental Health & Safety for Glastonbury Public Schools in Connecticut) and 2025 Paul deHart Hurd Award winner Kenneth L. Huff! 

 

Dr. Kenneth R. Roy is currently the Director of Environmental Health & Safety for Glastonbury Public Schools (CT). In addition, he is the Chief Science Safety Compliance Adviser/Chief Safety Blogger for the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and the Safety Compliance Officer for the National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA). He also serves as the manager and senior consultant for National Safety Consultants, LLC. He has published 13 recognized science and STEM laboratory safety books and manuals, and authored over 850 safety articles in professional journals and associations including NSTA, NSELA, CSSS, ITEEA and more, covering safety education focused on science, technology education and STEAM disciplines based on legal safety standards and better professional safety practices. Dr. Roy has been actively involved with aspects of risk management and mitigation for decades and is recognized as an 'Expert Witness' in litigation cases specializing in the area of legal liability in K-12 laboratories. His career in science and mathematics education has included many, many roles and research positions, and includes the teaching of chemistry, physics & mathematics at the high school level, biology and general science at the college level, and central office administration as a K-12 science curriculum director. Dr. Roy has received numerous professional acknowledgement awards over the years for his outstanding work in the field of science education.

 

Tom talks with Dr. Roy about the importance of safety in the science classroom; Dr. Roy's role as Director of Environmental Health & Safety for Glastonbury Public Schools; putting the "R" on "safe" through training and responsibility taking; why labs take some of the safety precautions they take through engineering controls; how teachers can make sure any necessary controls are in place before they teach; different kinds of hazards in a lab; how teachers who may have not be trained by their credential programs can be safer; naming some of the differences between elementary and middle/high safety issues; safety seminars they offer at NSTA as preservice; the importance of hands-on science for and explaining safety issues to students; the need for administrator support for safety; proper storage AND proper disposal; knowing the safety policies in writing for field trips and other outside time; surveying outside areas for any risks before bringing students; checking in with any outside speakers to make their presentations safer. Dr. Roy shares some stories of safety skirting; his origin story of why safety matters so much to him personally and professionally; some of the great safety resources available; and a reminder to always put it in writing!

 

NMLSTA 2025 Paul deHart Hurd Award Winner Kenneth L. Huff has been a public-school science teacher for over 33 years and is currently teaching in the Williamsville Central School District in New York. He is also a Teacher in Residence with Harvard University-LabXchange. Mr. Huff served two terms on the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Board of Directors and as president of the Science Teachers Association of New York State and of the Association of Presidential Awardees in Science Teaching. He was a member of the writing team for the Next Generation Science Standards. Mr. Huff was awarded the NSTA Distinguished Teaching Award, National Science Education Leadership Association Outstanding Leadership in Science Education Award, State University of New York Buffalo State Distinguished Alumnus Award, and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Mr. Huff is also a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is an author of the book Engaging Students in Science Investigation Using GRC: Science Instruction Consistent with the Framework and NGSS. He has served the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, andMedicine (NASEM) in multiple capacities including as Co-chair of the Teacher AdvisoryCouncil, on the Committee on Science Investigations and Engineering Design Experiences in Grades 6-12 and he presently serves the NASEM on the Collaborative on Advancing Science Teaching and Learning in K-12. He is a National Board-Certified Teacher in Science/Early Adolescence.

 

Tom and Mr. Huff discuss Mr. Huff's long career and how his interest in teaching began; challenges he faced as he began as a middle school teacher, and how his interest in space science help