This document discusses the importance of science laboratories in education. It notes that laboratories allow students to learn independently and draw conclusions from experiments. The document outlines various objectives of laboratory work like developing scientific concepts and skills. It provides guidance on administering laboratories, including organizing experiments, maintaining safety and discipline. Recommendations are given for equipping laboratories with proper storage, workspaces and supplies. The conclusion emphasizes that laboratories are essential for hands-on science learning.

1. Submitted to
Manju teacher
Submitted by
NITHYA J
NATURALSCIENCE
MILLATH COLLEGE OF
TEACHER EDUCATION

2. INDEX
Serial
number
Contents Page
number
1 Introduction 1-2
2 Content 3-11
3 Conclusion 11-12
4 References 13

3. INTRODUCTION
The laboratory is central to science instruction. It is
in the laboratory that the students learn to handle
apparatus, think independently and to draw
conclusions on the basis of experiments and
observation. Laboratory experiences are essential
for student in many science courses. Students with
disabilities will need to have access to the physical
facility, equipment, materials, safety devices and
other service. Access issues for the students. It is in
this place that various kinds of practical work are
carry out by the students. Without proper and well
equipped science laboratory, it is not possible to
carry out the science teaching process effectively in
any school or educational institutions. Students
learn to handle various apparatus and to think
independently in the laboratory, because of which it
is considered to be one of an important place.
When students carry out various kinds of
experiments, then they draw conclusions from their

4. studies, which raise their level of confidence and
develop scientific attitude among them. These are
considered to be main objectives of science
teaching, for which it is considered by experts that
without a well equipped and organized scientific
laboratory, these cannot be any proper teaching of
science teacher to make active parts in various
experimental processes, as most of the
achievements of modern science are due to the
application of experimental method

5. CONTENTS
Laboratory work
Laboratory work is an essential component of
science education. Scientific theories and practical
work in science are the two sides of a coin. These to
aspects of science education should supplement
and complement each other. Without experiments,
the students cannot experience the reality of
science. Practical work provides an activity which
can be profitable and emotionally satisfying. The
development of powers of observation,
measurement drawing inferences are all dependent
on laboratory work. Laboratory work helps to
realize the process oriented objectives of science
teaching. The following are the educationally
significant objectives of laboratory work.
I. Making abstract scientific understanding
concrete.

6. II. Development of scientific concepts and
principles.
III. Development of scientific skills, attitude,
interests and appreciation. Training in scientific
method. Awakening the maintenance of
curiosity in the environment.
Administration of laboratory work
In order to make the practical work most
effective the science teacher should always
keep in mind the different aspects of laboratory
work
1.Organizing and conducting practical work.
i. There should be co-ordination of
theoretical and practical work.
ii. Experiments should neither be too
difficult nor too easy.
iii. The purpose of the experiment should be
made clear to pupils.

7. iv. The purpose of the experiment should be
made clear to pupils.
v. A faithful record of the experiments
should be maintained by the pupils.
vi. Experiments should be well graded
according to age, intelligence etc.
2.Students should be made to form appropriate
groups.
3.Preparation is required for individual and
group working.
4.Laboratory rules and discipline should be laid
down.
5.Instructions to pupil are to be specific and
clear.
In order to give proper guidance to pupils for
doing practical’s the following the following
should be made use of
i. Laboratory manuals
ii. Instruction cards.
iii. Laboratory directions.

8. 6. Pupils records and observation book are to
be properly maintained.
Features of good science laboratory
A good science laboratory should satisfy most of
the following characteristics.
a) It must be spacious –linear bench space,
circulation space, storage space, wall space,
permanent equipment space, demonstration
space etc.
b) It must be quite conducive for hard work.
c)Its plans must provide elements of flexibility for
effective teacher demonstration as well as for
individual and small group work.
d) It must permit enough teacher supervision of
the pupils work.
e)It must have water, gas and electric points
where ever they needed.

9. f) It must have ample storage facilities for
equipment’s.
g)It must have an emergency exit if it is not
situated on the ground floor.
Selection and purchase of apparatus and
chemicals
While making a list of requirements, the teacher
should considering the following factors.
 Types of apparatus required.
 Quantity of each item.
 Choice of suppliers.
 Finance.
 The number of subject taught.
 The number of students and their level.
 The capacity of the laboratory.
 The knowledge and ability of the teacher.

10. Registers maintained in the laboratory
1)Permanent stock register: In this register
articles of metal, wood or of permanent nature,
which are not to be broken or consumed, are to
be entered. Eg:-Test tube RACKS, Wooden
stands, microscope, magnet
2)Stock register of breakables: - Articles of glass
ware like flask, beaker, funnel, buret etc. which
are liable to be broken are included in this
register.
3)Stock register of consumables: - Chemicals and
other fluids which are liable to be consumed are
entered in this register.
4)Order register: - The order register includes a
record of orders send for the purchase of
apparatus and chemicals. The entries should
include serial number and date of order, name
of the firm, the ordered, cost of each item.
5)Requirement register: - In the requirement
register the teacher should note down the

11. requirements which he remembers at times and
which he feels necessary, during the
experiments.
All pages of stock registers should be
numbered. Entries should be made in
alphabetical order.
Laboratory rules and discipline
Laboratory safety is a positive undertaking
which the science teacher is expected to take
up at the time of engaging in any activity in the
laboratory, in the presence of his students. This
would ensure acquisition of safety conscious
attitudes among pupils, creation of which is a
very important duty of the science teacher. The
sign of good discipline is creating an
atmosphere of healthy work. The following are
some suggestions or rules for the maintenance
of discipline in the laboratory.
1.No pupils should be allowed to enter the
laboratory in the absence of the teacher.

12. 2. Every student should have a place assigned to
him for his experiment.
3. Pupils should perform only those
experiments assigned by the teacher.
4. No equipment chemical should be used until
proper instructions are received from the
teacher.
5. Reagent bottles should be returned to the
shelf immediately after use and these should
not be misplaced.
6. Specimens, solid wastes, broken glass, burnt
up match sticks and other laboratory wastes
should be deposited in waste boxes.
7. Any breakage of apparatus or accident or
injury must be reported to the teacher.
8. All unnecessary skills should be avoided and
playing with the apparatus should be
prohibited.

13. 9. The apparatus should be disconnected,
washed if necessary and replaced in their
proper places.
10. Consider the safety of fellow students. A
scientific atmosphere should be kept up in the
laboratory
CONCLUSION
The new approach to science gives
prominence to the process of acquiring
knowledge. Since science is an activity oriented
subject a separate. Specially arranged place is
needed in higher classes for conducting the
activities. A school laboratory is essential to
transact science in the activity based method.
There are few things to be remembered while
organizing a science laboratory. They are make
a list to be taken care of when equipping a
science laboratory. Make a list of apparatus and
chemicals needed. It is good to have enough

14. apparatus and chemicals needed. It is good to
have enough apparatus proportionate to the
number of students. Glass apparatus need to
kept safety in separate almirahs. Arrange
chemicals in their alphabetical order. Bottles
must be labeled clearly. After use apparatus
must be leaned and kept back in their
respective places. The wall of the laboratory can
be decorated with pictures of scientists and
diagrams of apparatus. Useless substances,
broken glass, chemicals, solid wastes etc. must
be deposited in separate basket. A bucket full of
water must be kept not only when experiments
are being done but always.

15. REFERANCES
1. Mariamma Mathew; Teaching science for
biological and physical science (2014); NAS
publishers:141
2.Sivarajan k ,faziluddin A; science education
(2003); Calicut university, central co- operative
store: 176-180