Teach to Serve

Are you looking for some interactive ways to engage students during the first week of school? Check out these ideas!

1. Lab Equipment Scavenger Hunt

Everyone knows that first week of school is always full of syllabus and course expectations and who wouldn’t want a little break from all those “serious talks”. This “Lab Equipment Scavenger Hunt” would be a great alternative to change things up during the first week of school. This activity is a good way to help students identify some of the commonly used lab equipment and its correct use. 

Objective: To develop teamwork and to see if lab partners can work efficiently together 

This activity is espcially great for high school freshman students as they have limited knowledge of lab equipment and basic lab safety. 

1. Gather 20 different pieces of lab equipment that students will use that semester. 
2. Number each piece of lab equipment (with masking tape and permanent marker). 
3. Scatter the equipment around the room (you could do this in a station format.) 
4. Have students to work in pairs and distribute a worksheet for each pair. 
5. Have students to circulate around the room and identify the piece of lab equipment with a description in their worksheet. 
6. After 30-45 minutes, take up the answers (you can easily turn this into a little competition to motivate students!). 

Check out my editable Lab Equipment Scavenger Hunt Activity HERE.

2. Science Bingo 

Who doesn’t love a good old Bingo? This is not only a good icebreaker for the class to get to know their classmates. This could also be an informal assessment to gauge how much do you students know and help you plan your lessons more effectively for the class. 

Here is how it works: 

1. Have students to work in pairs or small groups. 
2. Distribute a playing card to record their answers. 
3. The first group that gets the entire row vertically or horizontally or diagonally will shout out “bingo” to indicate that they have won. 

The questions that the teacher calls out can be anywhere from lab safety, course expectations, to specific prior knowledge on your course. 

You can easily make your own, check out this resource to generate. 

3. Who am I?

This one is quick and easy time filler if you are looking for something to do get your students up and moving. You can include words that are course specific or specific lab equipment or even scientists that you will be referring in this term. 

Objective: To identify what the word is on their back by asking yes/no questions. 

Here is how it works: 

1. Have students to line up with their backs facing you. 
2. Use masking tape to attach a piece of paper with a word. 
3. Set a timer for the class. Students will have a limited amount of time, so the questions they ask need to be focused. 
4. A student “wins” when they have correctly guessed what their word is. 
5. Correct identification with the least amount of questions determines the overall winner. 

Download this list of words if you would like a pre-made list.

What do you during your first week of school in your classroom?

Comment below. I would love to hear from you! Also, connect with me on Instagram page @teachtoserve.