Teaching Science in a Small Space…
I can remember being SO excited when I got my first contract teaching job! I had been a long-term substitute for 3 full years in a middle school and I was finally offered a job to teach high school Biology in another district. The thought of having my very own room was thrilling!
When I went in on day one, I was amazed to see how huge my room was! Thirty desks, 8 lab stations around the room with sinks and outlets, a fume hood, and TWO prep rooms in the back with a large refrigerator and tons of storage. I had lots of windows in the room and here comes the best part… I was also right next to the copy room! Truly a dream room. I decorated it and loved all of the space.
However, as time went on I realized that I really wanted to get back to teaching middle school. So I happily said goodbye to my huge classroom and moved my things to the oldest building in our district- our 8th grade center. The new principal made me laugh because he said to me “did you see the room you are going to?” but I assured him that the room didn’t matter. I just wanted to get back to my favorite grade. It was the best decision I made and I loved being a middle school science teacher again!
When I was a new teacher I thought I needed a huge room with lots of space to make my science classes fun and engaging. I realized that is not the case! If you are someone who is fortunate to have a huge room that is awesome; however, if you use a cart, or work in a small space you can still create great lessons with what you have!
My current 8th grade science room!
Many years have passed, and I have learned to be creative in my new room. I have just one sink and no official lab areas. The space is tight, but we make it work! I have a double cabinet in my room for some supplies and across the hall there is a larger prep room between 2 other teachers’ rooms. I am very fortunate to have that space for storage.
I am always determined to get my students up, moving around, or doing station work. I hang photo cards around the room to practice free-body diagrams. We use the hallway for our acceleration lab, the small gym for our paper airplanes STEM activity during the Scientific Method unit, and we do scavenger hunts in the media center. We go outside for 5 min in January (in PA!) to spin our centripetal force cups and the students love it.
Wherever you are and whatever room you are in just do your best to “make it work”. No running water? Use empty gallon jugs filled with water. No fridge in your room like me? Bring a small cooler with ice and a Yeti tumbler to use during class to keep the ice cold for demos etc. Short on space? Perhaps go in the hallway, outside, or to another room/area of your school that might not be getting used at that time. Students always think it is “so fun” on days when we change up our location and routine.
At the end of their school year, your students are not going to remember nor care how big their science room was. They are going to remember all of the fun, creative activities you used to make their class engaging and memorable! Be flexible in your thinking and your students will appreciate your effort!
Comment below to share your thoughts and creative ideas for your space!
