Given the precautions built into the design of the Glowforge products, eye protection is not necessary for operation because the laser beam is contained within the body of the tool, and exposure is shielded, passively by the nature of the viewing angle, and actively by the viewing window materials, aided by the fact that the machine has safeguards in place requiring that the unit be fully closed in order to operate.
Simple terms: the bright light is contained within the device, so exposure is limited to ambient exposure.
In regards to the original question⌠Weâre talking about an educational setting. A classroom. The average age of the students accessing the Glowforge in this situation is irrelevant, itâs a classroom, therefore every safety measure available should be employed during all activity and actively promoted by the instructors as necessary at all times.