On Tuesday, March 4th, students were told for the first time by their science teachers that eating in science classrooms will no longer be permitted. This decision was made in light of a reinterpretation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, better known as OSHA, standards. OSHA explains that, “Eating, drinking, chewing gum, applying cosmetics, taking medications, or similar activities in laboratories may result in the accidental ingestion of hazardous materials (chemical radiological, biological); therefore these activities are strictly prohibited”.
This poses a tough question for many students who take any level of science class: when and where am I going to eat lunch? For the numerous students who take multiple science classes and/or AP level science classes, oftentimes students do not have the time to eat their lunch as they have double lab or must attend other clubs/activities for the rest of their lunch period. By taking away their ability to eat food during their actual lunch periods, students are left to eat them during other classes where teachers might not be as understanding of their lunch situation as their science teachers are. Additionally, students who have been assigned “double lab” by their teachers, meaning their entire lunch is encompassed with science class, are left without access to food throughout their prolonged class period.
Although the argument that eating food in laboratory areas could cause harm to one’s person in the substances it picks up, this argument becomes invalidated when realized that students only perform their physical work with substances in the back areas of the room. This fact has remained true throughout the numerous years of science courses at GRHS and has not changed in recent years. Any materials that are designated for experiments never touch or go near the front desks as their sole purpose are class activities outside of experiments. Therefore, it is unnecessary to worry about students getting in the crosshairs of possibly poisonous chemicals.The science teachers at our school have always made sure to tell students not to eat on days when experiments are being performed or in general regarding the lab areas of the room.
By taking away students’ rights to eat food due to this accidental ingestion of poisonous materials, which has not been a problem at all in previous years, it causes extra stress to students who are already dealing with a lot. School is a place where, within reason, students should feel at home and not be overwhelmed or confined by the classes they take which is the exact precedent this rule could be setting onto new students. This rule could also further discourage students from taking higher level science classes with the worry of when they will get to eat and if they can stay present in their other classes. As someone who currently takes two AP level science classes and has taken other science classes in the past, being able to eat during class gives other students and I immense relief as we go through our day which consists of class after class with no lunch break. Without the freedom to eat food when we please, we become prone to distraction and unnecessary stressors in our lives which could be solved by a quick granola bar in class. Judging by the school’s track record, no one will be hurt by the actions of eating during class. If we stay careful as our science teachers have guided us, removing this rule will continue that streak while also maintaining a stress-free and healthy environment.
