Experiments Safety - The State of Art at Schools in Czechia

Abstract

Abstract Chemistry experiments have been an issue of vivid discussion for more than fifty years now. Though there are many who hold a stand-offish position, there is a general notion chemistry experiments inherently belong to chemistry instruction. In this study, attention was given first to the frequency that Czech teachers at both lower and upper-secondary schools use experiments, demonstrations, laboratory work etc. A random, generalisable sample of 354 teachers filled in a questionnaire. The results showed experiments are used only seldom at lower-secondary schools and lyceums, more frequently at grammar schools, yet just “at least once a month”. Safety showed as one of the barriers. The teachers expressed general knowledge about a norm which covers the topic, however in their further responses they expressed a lack of awareness of the compounds their students are allowed to work with. These findings are a call for measures such as: developing a database of well-described procedures including safety regulation remarks or a simplified, easy to follow list of up-to-date regulations.