Essential Standard Operating Procedure

(SOP) Required for Affiliation with CBSE

Composite Science
Laboratory

CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION

 1. Introduction:

Laboratories aim to create opportunities to provide students with hands-on experience of laboratory
experiments, which could bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and their application in everyday
life. The laboratory performance is based on the idea that science focuses on hands-on, minds-on
observational activities and that these activities help students make connections between various scientific
concepts and real-life experiences. If students are to make use of any technology/ scientific skills in their
classrooms, they must learn to make observations, formulate hypotheses, conduct experiments, collect
data, use appropriate tools, analyse the data and interpret the obtained results. The practicals enable
students to connect to other science areas, communicate the information effectively, and argue their
conclusions logically. Students can learn these skills if they can participate in various laboratory exercises.
In the study of Science, practicals are given special consideration as they are necessary to stimulate
creativity, curiosity and critical thinking among students. Moreover, practicals help increase students'
engagement, thus boosting their interest in the subject.
School labs are an excellent place for students which help them enhance their learning by understanding
the theoretical concepts of science taught in classrooms. Well-designed laboratories make science
experiments fun and help students achieve good academic results. It helps to close the gap in the
achievement of learning outcomes, and classroom transactions will shift towards competency-based
learning and education. Hence, a well-equipped Science Laboratory is required in every school to:
 Make learning Holistic, Integrated, Enjoyable, and Engaging
 Develop conceptual understanding giving a strong emphasis on Experiential learning in all stages of
science education to move toward Competency-focussed education.
 Provide opportunities to students for hands-on learning to observe, experiment and innovate
 Fulfill curricular expectations in a holistic manner
 Create and facilitate a culture of research from the school level itself
 Promote collaborative learning

2. Curricular expectations

At this stage learners are expected to:

 Develop understanding of concepts, principles, theories, and laws governing the physical world,
consistent with the stage of cognitive development.
 Develop ability to acquire and use the methods and processes of science, such as observing,
questioning, planning investigations, hypothesizing, collecting, analyzing and interpreting data,
communicating explanations with evidences, justifying explanations, thinking critically to consider and
evaluate alternative explanation, etc.
 Conduct experiments, also involving quantitative measurements.
 Appreciate how concepts of science evolve with time giving importance to its historical prospective.
 Develop scientific temper (objectivity, critical thinking, freedom from fear and prejudice, etc.).
 Nurture natural curiosity, aesthetic sense, and creativity.
 Imbibe the values of honesty, integrity, cooperation, concern for life and preservation of environment.
 Develop respect for human dignity and rights, equity and equality.
3. Pedagogy of Science education as recommended by National Education Policy 2020:

 Chapter 4 of NEP 2020 ‘Curriculum and Pedagogy in Schools: Learning Should be Holistic,
Integrated, Enjoyable, and Engaging’ has laid a wide emphasis on Experiential learning in all stages
of science education in Para 4.6.
 Chapter 7 of NEP 2020 in Para 7.5 has mentioned the importance of well-equipped science
laboratories for strong science education.
 According to Para 12.1 Effective learning requires a comprehensive approach that involves
appropriate curriculum, engaging pedagogy, continuous formative assessment, and adequate
student support. The curriculum must be interesting and relevant, and updated regularly to align
with the latest knowledge requirements and to meet specified learning outcomes which can be
made possible by well-equipped science laboratories.
To align with the recommendations of NEP and for the convenience and clarity of all stakeholders, CBSE
has prepared SOPs for laying down the requirements for Composite Science Laboratory in schools. The
present SOP also illustrates adequately the safety rules for students and instructions for teachers in this
regard. The SOP also attempt to sensitize schools about proper management of waste generated during
the practical exercise carried out by the students. It is hoped that the SOPs will be helpful for schools and
students in adopting basic rules for safe behaviour and hygiene, to avoid accidents in the laboratory.

4. Model Layout of Composite Science Laboratory

5. Infrastructure needed for Composite Science Laboratory:

Recommendations for Infrastructure

Category /
S. No. Requirements
Materials needed
1 Physical  Minimum Lab. Room size 600 [Link].
Infrastructure
2 Storage  A separate room or cupboards within lab for consumables and
non- consumables items in the lock and key mechanism, thus
ensuring a safety, dust and vermin-free environment.

3 Teaching  Preferably an intelligent board with an internet

facility Facility or white / green board.

4 Demonstration  The demonstration table should also have a sink along with a
Table water tap. In the laboratory, seats are made available to the
students, so students sit at the allotted place and note the
instructionsfrom the teacher.
 40 seating facilities (lab stools)

5 Display / Notice  Do’s & Don’ts/ rules for the laboratory use/ safety
Board procedures
 List of practical activities
 Timetable- (laboratory timetable)
 Emergency Contact numbers
6 Gas/ heating  Preferably gas pipeline. (2 heating burners)
7 Sink with Water  8 sinks with water supply
supply
8 Waste  02 bins to be installed for biodegradable and non -
management biodegradable waste.
 Flammable chemicals bottles must be packed separately. Empty
chemical bottles can be packed in cartons/sacks. Disposal must
be sent to the Material Management Division of the school.

9 Fire extinguisher  To be installed at a prominent place within the laboratory or in

the corridor outside the laboratory.
10 Exhaust fans  2 in number
11 Medical First Aid  2 in number
Kit
12 Heating facility  One Heater should be available in the lab to conduct Heat
related experiments
 6. Minimum requirement of equipment / items for a Composite Science laboratory

a) List of Non-Consumable Items (for a batch of 40 students):

S. No Materials Required Requirement S. No Materials Required Requirement

1 Assembled Microscope 10 26 Concave Lens 10

2 Test Tubes 10 27 Separating Funnel 10
3 Boiling Tubes 20 28 China Dish 10
4 Beakers (100ml) 10 29 Petri Dish 10
5 Beakers (500ml) 5 30 Needles 10
(To keep the Coverslips)
6 Conical Flask 5 31 Laboratory Thermometer 10
7 Tripod Stand 10 32 Spring Balance (0-250 gm) 4
8 Wire Gauze 10 33 U-Shaped Magnet 5
9 Filter Paper 10 Boxes 34 Specimens 20
10 Assembling Box (Wooden 5 35 Permanent Slides 80
Box for keeping Few
Things)
11 Funnel (Small) (Both Glass 10+10 36 Pin Hole Camera 4
and Plastic one)
12 Funnel (Big) (Both Glass 5+5 37 Kaleidoscope 5
and Plastic one)
13 Spatula 20 38 Magnetic Compass 5
14 Round Bottom Flask (Small) 5 39 Bar Magnet 10
15 Laboratory Thermometer 10 40 Iron Fillings 4 Boxes
16 Glass Rod 10 41 Iron Stand 4
17 Droppers (Big+Small) 10+10 42 Thumb Pins 2 Box
18 Deflagrating Spoon 5 43 Bunsen Burners To be
attached to
gassupply
accordingly
19 Plane Mirrors 10 44 Glass prism 4
20 Stands for plane Mirrors 10 Pairs 45 Gas Jar 4
21 Test Tube Holder 10 46 Pair of Tongs 5
22 Scissors 4 47 Laptop/ Desktop Set 2 set up
23 Charts for Display 15 48 Convex Mirror 10
24 Portraits (as per choice) 20 49 Convex Lens 10
25 Concave Mirror 10
 b) List of Consumable Items (for a batch of 40 students at any given time):

S. No Materials Required Requirement

1 Hand Wash 2 Bottles

2 Hand Sanitizer 2 Bottles
3 Iodine Solution 200 ml
4 Copper Sulphate 200 gm
5 Sodium Hydroxide pallets 200 gm
6 Matchboxes 3
7 Slides 10 Boxes
8 Cover Slips 10 Boxes
9 Alcohol 1000 ml
10 Litmus Paper (Red and Blue) 20 Booklets Each
11 Sodium Chloride 2000gm
12 Hydrochloric Acid 200 ml each
(Both Dilute and Concentrated)
13 Methyl Orange 2 Bottle
14 Phenolphthalein 2 Bottle
15 Lime Water
16 Magnesium Ribbon 4 Coils
17 Sulphur Powder 200 gm
18 Zinc Granules 2 Bottle

c) Biological Science requirements (for a batch of 40 students at any given time):

S. No. Specimen Required Number

1 Insectivorous Plants 3
2 Hydrilla 2
3 Model of different types of teeth 2
4 Model of a Simple pendulum 2
5 Life Cycle of Silkmoth 2
6 Root Nodules (Rhizobium) 2
 d) Equipments and items Requirements (for a batch of 40 students at any given time):

S. Permanent Slides Required Number

No.
1 Different Shapes of Bacteria (Bacilli, Cocci,Spirilla) 2 Each
2 Amoeba 2
3 Amoeba- Binary Fission 2
4 Hydra 2
5 Bread Mould 2
6 Spirogyra 2
7 Budding in Yeast 2
8 Paramecium 2
9 Chlamydomonas 2

7. Safety guidelines
In order to ensure the safety of students in Science Laboratories, the following provisions are
mandatory:
 List of general SOP applicable at all times
 Two wide doors for unobstructed exits from the laboratory.
 An adequate number of fire extinguishers near laboratory.
 Periodically checking vulnerable points in the laboratory about the possibility of mishaps.
 It should be ensured that gas fittings in the laboratory fulfill the desired norms and standards.
 Periodical checking of electrical fittings/ insulations for replacement and repairs
 Timely and repeated instructions to students for carefully handling chemicals and equipment
in the laboratory.
 Display of do’s and don’ts in the laboratory at prominent places.
 Safe and secure storage of all chemicals and equipments.
 Proper labelling and upkeep of chemicals and equipments.
 Proper safety and protection provisions include a fume hood, goggles and gloves while doing
practical work.
 Careful supervision of students while doing practical work.
 Advance precautionary arrangements to meet any emergencies.
 Conduct any additional experimental work only under supervision and with due advance
permission.
 Availability of First Aid and basic medical facilities in the school.
 General work procedure for students
 When entering a laboratory, avoid touching equipment, chemicals, electrical and electronic
devices, or other materials until you are instructed to do so.
 The students should be careful when doing electricity experiments.
 He/she should not touch any wires if his/her hands are wet, even for low voltage
equipment.
 Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully given by the teacher/ instructor.
 Do not start any practical work unless you are clear about its directions. Ask your teacherbefore
proceeding with the activity.
 Be cautious at all times in the laboratory. Call the teacher immediately if you notice any risky
conditions.
 Never work alone in the laboratory. The presence of a teacher or supervisor is necessary.
 In case of spillage, breakage or injury, report to the teacher instantly: stay calm.
 Do not taste or smell any chemical present in the laboratory.
 When removing an electrical plug from its socket, switch off and grasp the plug, not the
electrical cord. Hands must be dry when touching an electrical switch, plug or outlet / socket.
 Never return unused chemicals to their original container.
 Do not take any chemicals away from the laboratory premises.
 Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water, as the glassware may break. Put the heated
glassware in a different place to be cooled.
 Never look into a container that is being heated. Always observe containers from sideways.
 If the Bunsen burner goes out accidentally, immediately turn off the control device/ gas supply.
 Never leave a lit burner unattended.
 Wash your hands with liquid soap and water on leaving the laboratory.