[Preplabstudents] Recent Issues

[Weaver, Tyler A.]

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to take a moment to address some issues we’ve had recently:

Lab Readiness Checks

There was significant room for improvement on how well cups and lids were restocked this week. I believe there were a few contributing factors, with the primary two being:

  1.  Our students were instructed for several weeks to ignore this portion of the checklist. Once you get into a habit, it can be hard to break.
  2.  The checklist erroneously indicated that the dispenser was ok if it wasn’t empty.
To help with this, starting next week, we will switch to a modified checklist (PDF attached). There are two sections, one for things that will always be checked and one for things that are “seasonal” (they’re only relevant for a few specific experiments). We will post an example checklist on the Daily Sheet Board each week to indicate what “seasonal” items need to be checked. An example for week 10, next week, is attached.

Glucose Test Strips

We ran into an issue yesterday with a shortage of glucose test strips for the last 1110 lab session. These strips were ready to go by Wednesday, I saw them myself. My best guess is that someone asked for extra strips and a class set was accidentally given out instead of just a couple extras form the extra pile.

Moving forward, extra glucose test strips will be kept in a clearly labeled yellow bag within the desiccator. Class sets will continue to be packaged in small brown bags within a larger colorless bag and will also be stored in the desiccator. Sarah will update the window notes to reflect this change.

GroupMe

Be sure to keep an eye on the GroupMe when you are on the clock. People upstairs often rely on it to get things they need or to request help. The Prep Lab Staff expect students sitting in the office to automatically help when another student requests it in the GroupMe. We’re all in this together.

Morning Unlocking

There have been a few days we began unlocking later than usual. Both Linda and I are scheduled to be here in the morning. We’re both planning to work on getting in earlier (I’m up against a toddler). If one of our student leads is not on the schedule, the other students cannot begin unlocking labs until Linda or I arrive. The ALS have keys to the lab, and I have given Camila a copy of the construction core key. If the prep lab is not unlocked by 7:40, one of the ALS should be around to let you into the prep lab- you would likely be able to find them on the second or third floor. Again, we’re all in this together.

Unknowns

TAs are leaving partial sets of unknowns on the carts at the end of lab. Some are also trying to return unused unknowns to the lab support window. When unknowns are left on the cart after lab, the next TA is coming to the window asking for less than a whole set to supplement what they found on the cart. All unknowns except BLP-Q are packed in sets of 28. Unless additional unknown is needed during the middle of the lab session for some specific reason, only full sets of unknowns should be handed out. In most cases, we do not accept unknowns returned to the lab support window- please ask the TAs to dispose of any excess they try to return as waste. Exceptions to this policy will be communicated in my weekly emails and in the window notes.

Please let us know if you have any questions. Have a great weekend!

Best,
Tyler

[The Ohio State University]

Tyler Weaver
Instructional Lab Supervisor
General Chemistry Prep Lab Manager

The Ohio State University
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
280E Celeste Lab
120 W. 18th Ave., Columbus, OH 43210
(614) 688-3929 Office
weaver.646 at osu.edu<mailto:weaver.646 at osu.edu>

Pronouns: he/him/his

Please do not feel obliged to read or reply to my messages outside of your normal working hours.
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