I would appreciate some clarification on the following: i) on page 14 of 2018 Safe ON Science: “Never attempt investigations of biological feedback in which body rhythms (e.g., heartbeat or the electrical activity of the brain) are detected, amplified, and then used to influence existing rhythms.” What activities this may refer to specifically? The policy seems to be being dictated based on this statement.
Answer: Response from STAO’s Safety Committee:
An example of an inappropriate activity involving body rhythms is using an EKG probe (available from common equipment supply vendors) to monitor the effect of a stimulant like caffeine in coffee, high-energy drinks, or nicotine products on a student’s heart rate. Inappropriate amounts or an unknown pre-existing heart condition could put the student at risk. This is the underlining rationale of the statement on page 14 of Safe ON Science. Other devices that could measure body rhythms include some smartwatch apps and glucose monitors. However, we are unaware of how brain activity could be measured or influenced with equipment commonly found in schools. Any attempt to alter brain or heart activity to amplify or influence outside of normal rhythms is too risky.
Activities involving the collection of human body data can be of great interest to students. However, teachers should be aware that some activities can make some students feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, or isolated due to, e.g., their athletic ability or body image concerns. Hence, it is essential that the teacher select activities that are safe, inclusive, adaptable, offer students choices, consider students’ social and emotional needs, and be aligned with board safety policies and procedures.
Here are a few activities with potential adverse physical or emotional outcomes to avoid:
- Measurements of BMI and the use of fat calipers or weigh scales could be embarrassing for students who struggle with body image.
- Strenuous physical activities, e.g., sprinting, may trigger asthma and other heart and respiratory complications.
- Fasting and diet restrictions (e.g., studying the effect of a high carbohydrate diet) are inappropriate because students may be undergoing growth spurts or have other unknown nuritional needs.
- Using hyperventilation to alter breathing rates can cause students to be lightheaded, fall, or pass out.STAO’s safety publications were written to inform and guide school boards, schools, and science departments in developing policies and procedures appropriate for their system. Furthermore, we recommend that the development of these policies and procedures be a collaborative and cooperative process in which school boards rely on the experience and judgment of classroom teachers. This results in policies and procedures that are often more effectively implemented than those developed in isolation.
The STAO Safety Committee continues to monitor trends in science education safety to confirm our safety publications, e.g., Safer Use of Chemicals (2019) and Safe ON Science (revised edition 2018), remain relevant and reflected in the curriculum. Regular updates of these publications are the focus of the upcoming safety committee work.