Educational Specification for Comprehensive Laboratory - Essay Example

Educational Specification Proposal for Comprehensive Laboratory Educational Specification Proposal for Comprehensive Laboratory V. Equipment The laboratories will have different equipment based on the requirements that have been established by the needs assessment for each subject. The equipment availed within the laboratory will seek to ensure that all the essential practical activities for the different subjects can be undertaken effectively. While each subject will have its specifications on the equipment presented within the facility, there are some general equipment that must be present within the three laboratories. These common features are basic in ensuring that the working environment is conducive for conducting experimental studies by students (Abrahams & Millar, 2008). The following features will be available within all the laboratories, and will be the common feature. 1. Workbenches – these will be provided in all the laboratories and will be used as surfaces for conducting different experiments as necessary. The benches located within all the facilities will be made of wood. They will be able to facilitate different activities conducted within the laboratory setting. 2. Cabinets – these will be located within the workbenches and will be utilized for the storage of equipment being used for experiments. Experimental equipment will be stored within these cabinets, which can be locked to protect the equipment from malicious damage or theft. 3. Computer station – each of the laboratories will have a single computer station where the results of some experiments will be recorded for future reference. The computer station will also be utilized for simulation of experiments and analysis of some complex data that might have been collected from elsewhere. Science of Technology Laboratory In this laboratory, students will be able to carry out technological investigations into the various phenomena that they have observed and recorded. This will be aimed at enhancing their problem solving skills for the future. Fixed Equipment These include be the fundamental equipment used in performing the various basic functions for which the laboratory has been designed. The workbenches, cabinets and computer stations will all be fixed equipment within the lab. Many of these equipment will take-up most of the space within the laboratory. There will be three benches each with a seat capacity of about 10-15 students at a single time. These workbenches will have cabinets and water taps on them to facilitate the undertaking of different functional activities. The benches will be located at the center of the laboratory. Movable Equipment While most experiments will be conducted while standing, the laboratory will have at least thirty stools on which people can seat as they conduct analysis of collected data. These stools are among the movable equipment as they shall have to be moved at times to create space when conducting the experiments. Measuring equipment and materials for the experiments, and which are stored within the cabinets also form part of the movable equipment available within the laboratory. Intermediate Algebra Laboratory This laboratory will be used in enhancing students’ capabilities to reason out mathematically. Intensive mathematical skills will be initiated into the students through the various experiments that will be conducted. Fixed Equipment The intermediate algebra laboratory will be fitted with workbenches and cabinets located on the sides of the laboratory. The benches will run along the walls of the laboratory to ensure that there is relatively large space at the center of the laboratory. This space can be used for conducting tests into mathematical formulae and other similar activities that require relatively large empty spaces. Movable Equipment The movable equipment in the laboratory will be utilized for facilitating experimental work. This will include charts that students will use to develop concept maps, as well as measuring tools for taking physical measurements of different materials. For standardized measurements, students will be expected to use equipment provided by the laboratory, including pencils, rulers and writing materials, which are all movable equipment within the laboratory. Physical Science Laboratory This laboratory will have the most experiments conducted in it as compared to the rest of the other laboratories. There will be more experiments conducted within this facility as many of the studies focus on experimental work. Understanding the nature of physical science involves conducting numerous activities for testing and measuring characteristics of materials to ascertain their capabilities. Fixed Equipment Just like in other laboratories, the benches and cabinets for majority of the fixed equipment in this facility. These will be located at the center of the laboratory with spaces being left on the sides. Movable Equipment The students might be required to have their own equipment at times, but the laboratory will be equipped with basic materials to conduct scientific experiments (Bybee, Carlson-Powell, & Trowbridge, 2008). These will include calculators, stopwatches weighing scales, graduated cylinders among many other measuring equipment. While conducting experiments, the students might be allowed to bring their own equipment to facilitate for any shortages that might be experienced. This will ensure that the experiments are conducted quickly following the availability of enough movable equipment. VI. Auxiliary space The fixed equipment placed within the different laboratories will consume most of the space available within these environments. Despite this, there is a necessity for further space requirements, which will be facilitated through the utilization of movable equipment that can be used to create more space as needs arise. The occurring space requirements will be addressed by maximizing on the usage of spaces occupied by movable equipment (Storm, 1993). While most tests will be conducted on the workbenches, some experiments such as physical science tests will require more space. Space will be created by moving equipment that is not fixed. This space will be created and utilized as need arises and as the education program continues to progress. The working surfaces available from the workbenches can provide auxiliary space that can be used for making records. The fundamental purpose for the workbenches is to conduct experiments. After the experiments, the equipment can be cleared after which analysis of collected information begins (Bybee et al., 2008). This will be conducted on the working surfaces at the top of the workbenches. Maximization of this space is essential since the two activities cannot be conducted at the same time as one must be undertaken before the other, making it possible for them to share space. The students will be able to undertake manual analysis from the workbenches once experiment equipment has been cleared off the surface. The available open space that has been left after the fixed equipment will be used to conduct experiments and facilitation of movement between different locations within the laboratories. While this remains the fundamental purpose of this space, once such experiments have been completed, chairs and stools can be brought into the laboratory as students aim at enhancing their comfort when analyzing collected information. Comfort during an analysis stage of an experiment will be critical towards ensuring effective utilization of the resources. Students will be able to conduct discussions and analyze data while seated on the stools, which will be placed on the space used for movement. The cabinets will be used for storage of materials and equipment used for experimental activities. Experiments that might be procedural and consume much time could be continued on several occasions. Space will be created within the cabinets to store charts and paperwork used in recording data from experiments. The cabinets will be used for keeping records aimed at ensuring that the experiments and their results can be referred to in the future. Continuity of experimental work will be facilitated through the storage space created within the cabinets. The surfaces and workbenches will be located with a considerable amount of distance between them. This will be essential in enabling safety through the allowance of free movement of people within the laboratory. The provision of sufficient space will ensure that accidents become limited. Provision of sufficient space will also serve to minimize congestion within the facility. This location of the equipment is based on safety considerations made in relation to the number of people using the facility at a given time. The laboratories have been fitted with large French windows to facilitate both aerations and provision of light into the facilities. There is an imminent risk of suffocation within the laboratory if the windows remain closed and there are many people. Large windows ensure that there is sufficient circulation of air and light while experiments are being conducted. Since some experiments might release toxic substances to the environment, this is an element of environmental concern for the users. The doors that have been developed within the laboratories are also the fire exits in the event of a fire. There is a fire assembly point close to the facility, and this is an essential space used to enhance the confidence of users on the safety precautions employed within the facility. VII. Environmental consideration The environmental element must be sufficiently factored during the designing of the laboratories to ensure they comply with the existing regulations and meet the standards required. The designing of the facilities make an architectural and technical consideration of various environmental factors which might affect the functions performed by the facility (Abrahams & Millar, 2008). Circulation of people and air within the laboratory is a significant consideration. The arrangement of fixed and movable equipment should allow easy and free circulation of people as they perform the various activities within the environment. Consideration of these factors makes the laboratory become safer and easily accessible. The provision of adequate circulation space makes the laboratory environment become relatively safe through enhance movement. Safety requires the laboratory to have two exits for quick access in the event of an emergency. The doors of the laboratory are provided with adequate clearance from the wall so that people do not crowd during exit. Unimpeded vision remains essential when seeking to ensure that the laboratory environment is safe. The lighting system should be adequate to ensure that students and teachers are able to see each other clearly. It is, therefore, important to conducts visual supervision of the existing spaces to ensure they meet the super visibility requirements. The level of ventilation within the laboratory environment must be sufficient and designed for high capacity because of the various changes which occur within the environment. This might apply in laboratories where chemicals might be used at times. Specialized equipment like laboratory hoods might be necessary for some locations to enhance the ventilation within that laboratory. Emergency systems should be installed to provide the necessary support in the event of an emergency; these would include e systems aimed at making emergency calls for assistance to be provided. Other might include shut-off, shower and eye wash. Emergency shuts-offs enable the instructor to discontinue the flow of supplies like water or gas in the event of an emergency. Eye wash and emergency showers are essential as they can be used to wash away hazardous materials that affect the students. The waste generated from the laboratory activities should be controlled to ensure that it does not cause environmental degradations. Some of the chemicals used for various experiments are hazardous to the environment, and they should be disposed of carefully to avert such adverse effects. The laboratory can consider the inclusion of a model recycling program within the laboratory. This would be essential as it becomes an opportunity for implementing various environmental education tenets within the practical education. There should be bins for disposing of waste within each room in seeking to ensure the environment is kept clean and free from waste. The waste management systems must meet the regulations stipulated by the local authorities within the area. This will involve complying with the various codes and provisions of waste management. Comfortable working environment requires sufficient ventilations. Contaminant sources like chemical remains common with the laboratory setting, and they should be sufficiently taken care of to ensure they do not present such effects. General dilution specifications require a minimum of 20 cubic feet per minute for every individual within the laboratory. The ventilation must be able to provide this. The mechanical systems existing within the laboratory commonly contribute to the insufficient supply of air hence they necessitate the inclusion of fume hood, in seeking to maintain the levels of ventilation. Thermal capabilities often affect the environment temperature; hence they must be considered during the designing of the facility. Adverse thermal conditions within the laboratory make the environment become uncomfortable for both the students and teachers. This can easily affect the quality of learning that is achieved within the laboratory. Heating and cooling systems must be provided to ensure that the facility can be utilized at different time of the year. Consideration of the indoor environment quality becomes essential when seeking to satisfy the element of comfort for the users of the facility. VIII. Equipment location The equipment location remains important in seeking to ensure that there is a maximization of the available space in order to ensure effective functioning of the laboratory. This will be critical towards meeting the various requirements which have been established following consideration of different factors. The equipment must be able to ensure that the safety of the environment is achieved. The element of location becomes significant as it considers various requirements like efficiency and effectiveness of the setting (Abrahams & Millar, 2008). It becomes essential to consider how the movable equipment will be placed without affecting other attributes of the facility. While fixed equipment will be fitted into the facility, they should be able to provide sufficient space for the movable equipment as well. Below are the floor plans for the three laboratory facilities showing the location of various critical features. The features include the following C.S – computer station T.S – teaching station Doors/ exit Workbenches Figure 1science of technology laboratory layout Figure 2integrated algebra laboratory layout Figure 3 physical science laboratory layout Reference Abrahams, I., & Millar, R. (2008). Does practical work really work? A study of the effectiveness of practical work as a teaching and learning method in school science. International Journal of Science Education, 30(14), 1945–1969. Bybee, R. W., Carlson-Powell, J., & Trowbridge, L. W. (2008). Teaching secondary school science: Strategies for developing scientific literacy. New York: Prentice Hall. Storm, G. (1993). Managing the Occupational Education Laboratory (2nd ed.). 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