Safer Ed

Near misses happen in schools every day—blocked walkways, crowded prep rooms, equipment squeezed into corners, or cords taped down just enough to get through class. They rarely make headlines, but they reveal something critical about how safety actually operates inside school systems.

In this episode of Safer Ed, we move beyond recognizing near misses and explore what determines whether they lead to real change. Through a thoughtful...

STEM instruction has changed—but many school buildings haven’t. In this episode of Safer Ed, we explore how near misses quietly reveal the growing gap between modern STEM learning and legacy classroom design.

Through an expert conversation, we unpack why near misses are not teacher failures, but early warning signs tied to space, layout, scheduling, and leadership decisions. From flexible classrooms to transitions and supervision, t...

Safety isn’t only defined by accidents—it’s shaped by what almost happens.

In the opening episode of Season 3 of the Safer Ed Podcast, we explore a part of school safety that often goes unnoticed: near misses. These are the moments when something almost goes wrong—a spill that doesn’t cause injury, a piece of equipment that malfunctions but doesn’t escalate, a situation saved by timing or quick reaction.

Because nothing “bad” happene...

In Part 2 of our Holiday Shutdown Safety series, we explore the systems, documentation, and long-term safety practices that keep science and STEM programs running safely throughout the year—not just during winter break.

While Episode 1 focused on physical lab preparation, Episode 2 dives deeper into the operational and cultural elements of school science safety. From caring for living organisms to understanding districtwide comp...

In this first episode of our two-part Holiday Shutdown Safety series, we break down the essential steps every K–12 science and STEM department must take before leaving for winter break. From chemical storage to engineering controls, this episode provides a practical, comprehensive walkthrough designed to keep your labs compliant, organized, and safe throughout extended building closures.

Whether you're a teacher, administrator, chem...

This episode explores what happens when a science lab fire breaks out and why even small incidents can create major disruption. Speakers break down prevention, response, and recovery, using real events from recent years to highlight the importance of safety culture, proper training, and districtwide duty of care.

Topics Covered:

• How a single ignition can shut down a school

• Duty of care and why science labs require elevated oversig...

This episode highlights the pioneers whose discoveries and creativity shaped today’s STEM and STEAM learning. Even though STEM/STEAM Day has passed, its influence continues every day in classrooms across the country. The conversation also places special focus on women and girls in STEM, and how representation drives student engagement and confidence.

What We Cover:

• Why STEM/STEAM history still matters

• Science, technology, engineer...

Every school day, more than 25 million students ride the yellow school bus — the safest way to get to and from school. But risks remain, especially in the “danger zone” around the bus, where most injuries occur. In this episode of Safer Ed, we explore why bus drivers are a school’s first line of defense in safety, and how parents, schools, and communities can support them.

Through this conversation, we highlight the critical role dr...

In this final installment of the Safer Ed CTE series, we bring everything together—why Career and Technical Education matters, what the data shows about safety, and how schools can build a culture that protects students while preparing them for the future. From classroom management and protective equipment to mindset and training, safety is more than compliance—it’s a shared responsibility that shapes the next generation of workers...

The numbers don’t lie: safety training, occupancy limits, and classroom culture directly affect accident rates in Career and Technical Education. In this episode, we dig into national research that reveals where gaps exist—and how schools can close them. From comprehensive training that reduces accidents by nearly half to surprising findings about hot glue guns and overcrowded labs, the data paints a clear picture of both risks and...

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is one of the most dynamic parts of today’s schools, preparing students for futures in health sciences, IT, advanced manufacturing, culinary arts, engineering, and more. But alongside creativity and innovation comes risk. For many students—and even some teachers—CTE represents their very first experience with tools, equipment, and technical learning environments. Without strong safety practices,...

STEM classrooms are filled with energy, curiosity, and hands-on discovery—but they also contain hazards that must be carefully managed. In this Safer Ed episode, we break down the three main categories of lab hazards—physical, chemical, and biological—and explore strategies teachers can use to identify and control them.

Through practical examples and proven safety methods, the discussion highlights how preparation, judgment, and a c...

Science and STEM labs inspire curiosity, creativity, and discovery, but they also come with real risks if hazards aren’t managed.

In this episode of Safer Ed, we explore how teachers can balance the excitement of hands-on learning with the responsibility of keeping students and staff safe. From outdated equipment and dangerous chemicals to biological hazards and risk assessment strategies, this conversation unpacks practical steps ...

In this Safer Ed episode, we continue our series on safety and inclusion in STEM classrooms by exploring universal design and hazard analysis. Instead of reacting to student needs after the fact, universal design ensures that classrooms and labs are accessible, safe, and effective from the very beginning.

Through this conversation, we highlight how proactive planning not only reduces safety risks but also empowers students with addi...

In this two-part Safer Ed series, we explore how to make science and STEM classrooms both safer and more inclusive for students with additional needs.

In Part 1, we focus on:

• Why safety for students with additional needs starts before the lab bench.

• The wide range of additional needs—physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and temporary—and why no two students are alike.

• The role of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) in creating ...

Nearly 40% of school lab accidents could be prevented with simple start-of-year inspections.

In this episode of Safer Ed, we dive into practical steps schools can take to make science labs, makerspaces, and art rooms safe before the first project begins.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why the first weeks of school are the riskiest for lab accidents

• Four essential steps for starting the school year safely:

  1. Preparing instructional sp...

In this episode of Safer Ed, we are joined by Dr. Tyler Love, who discusses safety in Career Technical Education (CTE) programs and STEAM careers.

The conversation begins by discussing Tyler’s role in the career technical world and the challenges of implementing safety standards in CTE environments. Tyler has conducted research and worked with teachers nationwide to train and develop them to lead CTE programs.

The episode ends with a...

For this episode, special guests Anne Brown and Tobin Novasio join edCircuit host Tina Byland to discuss mental health awareness. This episode explores how schools and outside organizations can support students' mental health inside and outside of the school.

The conversation begins by defining youth mental health and its impact on students' learning and development. Both guests explore the need for a multi-tiered approach t...