Lab clean up, just like any other task or procedure, must be carefully planned by the teacher and then taught to students. In this blog post, we’ll share seven practical tips and strategies to make lab clean-up not only efficient but also engaging and enjoyable!
Lab clean up seems like a mundane task, but it is actually a central part of your classroom culture. Placing emphasis on doing ‘clean up’ the right way instills respect for the classroom environment and a sense of responsibility in students.
In my first year or so of teaching, I did all the cleaning up. It was hard work! Especially when I had to break down a lab for Biology and get something new set up for Anatomy! But I wanted it done right. I wanted to know that equipment was cleaned and put away properly, that the tables were sanitized, that nothing got missing or broken. To be quite honest, I didn’t trust my students to do it right.
It Was A Mess
Then I started noticing something…my kids were gradually showing less and less care towards their work stations. They were not cleaning up spills, they were leaving their own trash behind, they were not respectful to equipment. I realized their attitude was to just show up, do what they were asked to do, and leave. There was no sense of responsibility to the mess they were leaving behind.
The next year was different. I gave my students the responsibility for cleaning up after activities and labs, and it made a huge difference. First, class transitions are so much less stressful for me! Second, my students show much more care and consideration for their workspace.
But you can not just announce “okay kids, time to clean up!” Utter chaos will ensue (you may have experienced this!) Every student will have a different idea of what ‘clean up’ looks like, and many will check out and assume someone else will do it.
Read through the ideas that follow and consider which ones would work best in your classroom. Use them as inspiration to create your own policies and procedures unique to your room!
Lab Clean Up Show and Tell
Like any other task, students need to be given clear instructions for exactly what you expect. To effectively teach students how to clean up after a lab, instructors should provide both verbal instruction and visual demonstration. Both are essential for ensuring understanding! Simply telling students what to do may lead to confusion, while demonstrating the cleanup process provides them with a clear, tangible example to follow. When students see the specific steps involved—such as how to properly dispose of waste, where to place used equipment, and how to wipe down their work areas—they are more likely to internalize these practices and execute them correctly.
Visual Clean-Up Guides
Even after hearing and watching your demonstration, students may forget! It is super helpful to hang up laminated visual guides that illustrate the proper disposal and storage methods for common lab materials. These guides can include photos showing where to place different items, such as used pipettes, gloves, and beakers. You can hang them at each lab station or in a designated area for easy reference. This helps students quickly understand what to do without confusion, or having to ask you the same questions over and over.
Lab Clean-Up Caddies
It may be helpful to create portable clean-up caddies that include compartments for waste disposal (like small trash bags), cleaning supplies (like wipes or spray bottles), and tools for organizing materials (like clips or labels). Each caddy could be color-coded for different lab stations, making it easy for students to grab and use during clean-up time. Including a checklist or guide on the caddy can remind students of their responsibilities.
Lab Jobs
Instead of each group being responsible for their own station, you may consider assigning specific jobs to students for cleaning up after a lab or activity. This is a great way to foster a sense of responsibility and teamwork in the classroom. By dividing tasks, such as collecting waste, wiping down surfaces, and organizing equipment, each student knows exactly what is expected of them, which helps streamline the process.
This works great if your classroom is tight on space. Rather than every student standing and cleaning – you just have a few. One person walking the aisle with the trash can, one person collecting dirty equipment, one person supplying new materials for the next class.
Rotate the roles every few weeks, allowing students to experience different jobs throughout the year. Some students love the chance to do these jobs and you may find you can use them as a reward!
Give Them Time
Giving students adequate time for cleanup after a lab or activity is crucial. When students are rushed, they are likely to cut corners and make mistakes in the clean up process. If time is short, they will be more worried about getting out the door themselves than making sure the classroom is clean. Let them know before the activity that clean up time is a part of the lab, and ample time will be allotted to the task. They will be less likely to watch the clock themselves during the actual activity, because they know you are in control of the schedule.
Timer and Reminder System
Use a timer to signal and keep focused during clean-up time. You can set the timer for specific intervals to help kids stay on track while they clean. For example, the first alarm signals it is time to start cleaning up. Three minutes later, a second alarm sounds, signaling that you should be halfway done cleaning up. A third alarm signals a 2 minute warning. Everyone should be cleaned up and seated at the final alarm. Timers can be easily adjusted as needed for different tasks. Use your phone, an Alexa, or an online timer like this one!
Make it a Game
Just like any other task, cleaning up can be made into a game or competition. Which station can clean up and be seated the quickest? Or make the competition against themselves – last week we took 10 minutes to clean up. Can we clean up in 7 minutes this week? Reinforcements like candy, or a few minutes of free time, can go a long way to motivate!
NOTE – Only make clean up into a game once your students are very comfortable with the tasks and are clear on your expectations!
Plan for Success
Take time over a few days or over a break to really think about how you want students to clean up after a lab or activity. List a few tasks that must happen for every lab – wipe down desks, get trash into the trash can, return equipment to the front of the room, replace used items with new ones for next class, organize task cards. Then begin to consider how you want these tasks executed.
Think about the layout of the room. Is it easy to get to the trash can? Do you need a different place to stage lab equipment that students can more easily access?
Consider the materials you may need. If you have five groups that need to wipe down desks, do you need five boxes of clorox wipes? Do you have a sink to wash equipment, or do you need a bucket of water to simply drop equipment into so it can be washed later?
Write out a plan for lab clean up, just like you would for a lesson plan. Be very clear with yourself about your expectations so that you can be very clear with your students.
Lab Clean Up is a Skill – It Takes Practice
No matter what plans and procedures you put together in your room, remember that cleaning up is a skill. Your students will not be great at it the first (or even fifth!) time around. They will need practice, reinforcement, reminders, and encouragement to get better.
Be flexible. If you see something is not working, adjust the plan! Too many people at the sink at the same time? Water everywhere?? Maybe establish a rotation list for the sink – group 2 has to wait until group 1 is finished.
Just like any other classroom procedure, take the time at the beginning to lay a strong foundation – go slow and do it right. If something goes sideways, that’s okay! Back up, show and tell the procedure, and let them try again.
Gradually you will see a shift in your classroom culture. Students will hold themselves and others accountable for their messes. They will take more ownership of their workstations and materials. And you will have just a few minutes to breathe between classes! Win win!
