Students need to do science, not just read about science. As an outcome of inquiry-based learning, students will recognize that science is more than a body of knowledge. It is also a way of thinking and a way of investigating.
Investigation requires the use of a laboratory environment.
Class size, facility design, safety equipment, and fire prevention all must be considered when establishing a safe laboratory environment. Many accidents in the science laboratory can be traced to overcrowding. The correlation between increased class size with increased accident rate has been documented. With more students moving about carrying reagents and equipment, the risk of an accident increases while direct supervision by the teacher becomes more difficult. A teacher who believes that the laboratory is unsafe due to overcrowding should communicate those concerns in writing to the department chairperson, principal, and science supervisor.