Safer Ed

This episode highlights the pioneers whose discoveries and creativity shaped today’s STEM and STEAM learning. Even though STEM/STEAM Day has passed, its influence continues every day in classrooms across the country. The conversation also places special focus on  women and girls in STEM , and how representation drives student engagement and confidence. What We Cover: Why STEM/STEAM history still m...

Every school day, more than 25 million students ride the yellow school bus — the safest way to get to and from school. But risks remain, especially in the “danger zone” around the bus, where most injuries occur. In this episode of  Safer Ed , we explore why  bus drivers are a school’s first line of defense in safety , and how parents, schools, and communities can support them. Through this convers...

In this final installment of the Safer Ed CTE series, we bring everything together—why Career and Technical Education matters, what the data shows about safety, and how schools can build a culture that protects students while preparing them for the future. From classroom management and protective equipment to mindset and training, safety is more than compliance—it’s a shared responsibility that sh...

Hazards in CTE classrooms aren’t always what you expect. While power tools and large equipment carry obvious risks, national and regional studies show that smaller, everyday items can be just as dangerous. In this episode, we explore the tools, environments, and classroom dynamics most often linked to accidents—and how simple strategies can make a big difference. What You’ll Learn in This Episode...

The numbers don’t lie: safety training, occupancy limits, and classroom culture directly affect accident rates in Career and Technical Education. In this episode, we dig into national research that reveals where gaps exist—and how schools can close them. From comprehensive training that reduces accidents by nearly half to surprising findings about hot glue guns and overcrowded labs, the data paint...

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is one of the most dynamic parts of today’s schools, preparing students for futures in health sciences, IT, advanced manufacturing, culinary arts, engineering, and more. But alongside creativity and innovation comes risk. For many students—and even some teachers—CTE represents their very first experience with tools, equipment, and technical learning environment...

STEM classrooms are filled with energy, curiosity, and hands-on discovery—but they also contain hazards that must be carefully managed. In this  Safer Ed  episode, we break down the three main categories of lab hazards— physical, chemical, and biological —and explore strategies teachers can use to identify and control them. Through practical examples and proven safety methods, the discussion highl...

Science and STEM labs inspire curiosity, creativity, and discovery, but they also come with real risks if hazards aren’t managed. In this episode of  Safer Ed , we explore how teachers can balance the excitement of hands-on learning with the responsibility of keeping students and staff safe. From outdated equipment and dangerous chemicals to biological hazards and risk assessment strategies, this...

In this  Safer Ed  episode, we continue our series on safety and inclusion in STEM classrooms by exploring  universal design  and  hazard analysis . Instead of reacting to student needs after the fact, universal design ensures that classrooms and labs are accessible, safe, and effective from the very beginning. Through this conversation, we highlight how proactive planning not only reduces safety...

In this two-part  Safer Ed  series, we explore how to make science and STEM classrooms both safer and more inclusive for students with additional needs. In Part 1, we focus on: Why safety for students with additional needs starts  before  the lab bench. The wide range of additional needs—physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and temporary—and why no two students are alike. The role of Individuali...

Nearly 40% of school lab accidents could be prevented with simple start-of-year inspections. In this episode of  Safer Ed , we dive into practical steps schools can take to make science labs, makerspaces, and art rooms safe before the first project begins. What You’ll Learn: Why the first weeks of school are the riskiest for lab accidents Four essential steps for starting the school year safely: P...

For this episode, special guests Anne Brown and Tobin Novasio join edCircuit host Tina Byland to discuss mental health awareness. This episode explores how schools and outside organizations can support students' mental health inside and outside of the school. The conversation begins by defining youth mental health and its impact on students' learning and development. Both guests explore th...

In this episode of Safer Ed, we are joined by guests Frankie Jackson and Jeff Angle, who discuss cybersecurity challenges and threats in K12 education. In the second part of the episode, our guests discuss the effects of distance learning on cybersecurity and frameworks for cybersecurity success. A major key discussed in this conversation is the development of a culture and practice of cybersecuri...

Focusing on safety in today’s educational environments, Safer Ed explores topics ranging from bullying among students to science lab safety, from digital citizenship to schoolwide trauma responses. Safer Ed aims to tackle each topic from multiple angles, including educator training, government legislation, community involvement, and much more. Safer Ed is available to view at edcircuit.com and on...