The Present Status of Science Experimental Education and the Cautions on Using Toxic Chemicals

과학 실험 교육의 현황과 실험 시약 사용의 주의사항

This research aims to perceive the present state of science experimental education practiced in middle school and also to improve the laboratorial environment. Accordingly, this study surveyed 297 middle school science teachers in Seoul to examine the risks and accidents occurred during lab sessions, the conditions of chemical waste disposal, and whether or not teacher's manual clearly states cautions on toxic chemicals. About 70%(69.6%) of science teachers were highly concerned about risks and toxicity of chemicals used in classes, 59.9% experienced actual accidents, and 83.2% were anxiety of incidents caused by chemicals. Besides, 55.2% of science teachers answered that they have little knowledge about caring noxious chemicals used in lab sessions. So it turns out that they need more specific education on handling toxic chemicals. More than one third(36.7%) answered that they disposed of chemical waste water without any special care or kept it in the lab after experiments. The number of chemicals as well used in middle school curriculum is increasing as grades gets higher toxic chemicals. However, there are few teachers' manual covering how to handle noxious chemicals. Therefore, in middle school curriculum the number of poisonous chemicals should be minimized as much as possible, and in case the toxic chemicals have to be used, teacher's guide book should state precautions on handling chemicals in detail. Also government should make it obligatory on schools to instate ventilator for chemical waste, or to transport the waste to proper disposal systems.