School Under Fire for Pepper-Spraying Students as Part of Criminal Science Class

A group of Ohio high school students learned the hard way how painful pepper spray can be.

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The teenagers were heard screaming in agony as the effects of the spray kicked in.

The group of teens at Barberton High School in Ohio willingly participated with their parents' consent on how effective and potent pepper spray can be.

“It's like a volcano in my eyes!” one student shouted.

The shocking video, shot by a parent, is causing a firestorm on social media.

“Horrifying,” one person called it.

“No one should have to go through this,” said another.

Another added: “They're being sprayed with a toxic substance."

It happened during a class on criminal science technology, and the teacher is the town’s former police chief.

The parents of each participating student signed waivers that warned: “Each student will receive a quick ‘burst’ with this chemical agent. It will cause irritation and a burning sensation to the eyes and nasal area for approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour."

Mother Melody Steinhour, who shot the video, and her son, Zach, spoke to Inside Edition.

“I obviously had no idea it was going to be that painful but I was proud of them," she said. "I was proud of all the kids that did it,” she said.

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“It hurts for a couple of days. Like if you went to get in the shower, it still had residue in your eyes and it still burned,” Zach said.

The teenager added that he would never do it again, but will continue to pursue a future in law enforcement. 

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