Memories

Photo Timeline- 10 Weeks of Service Learning

Photo timeline outlining the main activities performed throughout the 10 weeks of placement in Microbiology labs

A picture is worth a thousand words and lasts a life time. Photo timeline above highlights the main acitivites performed each week during my placement. Click here for a direct link to the timeline in order to view it with greater resolution.

Week 1: Labs started on the week of January 14th. The main aim of this week's labs was to introduce the students to proper use of microscope so they become comfortable with focusing slides. They were supposed to calibrate the microscope ocular lens and note down the calibrations in their data sheets. I was apprehensive during the first week since I was not sure how much of microscopy I rememebred from the time I had taken this course. I was surprised to discover that I was able to help every student in focusing their microscopes and locating the smears. After the first week I felt a feeling of achievement after applying my knowledge in a practical setting which could help my peers. Students were also introduced to the technique of preparing bacterial smears and I was able to provide them with some tips not listed in the manual which saved them a lot of time. I had learnt these tips from a fellow student when I was enrolled in C17. At first, I was a little nervous during week1 but because of the friendly and accomodating atmosphere created by the TAs I soon adjusted to the new environment.
To view the TA notes click here. To view the synopsis click here.
Week 2: This week students were made to build up on the skills learnt last week and perform differential stains to identify different microrganisms and their characteristics. Gram stain, Acid fast stain and Capsule stain were performed with Acid fast stain proving to be really difficult. Most of my time was spent in helping students locate the cells on their slides under the microscope as some students had taken less culture to begin with and the low cell density was hard to find. Students began to acknowledge my presence and more and more students felt comfortable in seeking my help. I began to feel more involved and helpful. The synopsis submitted to Dr. Brunt can be found here and also the TA notes for Week 2.
Week 3: This was a work intensive week. Students had started to work on their first assignment on Morphological unknowns and almost all of them were very stressed out. Each student prepared smears in duplicates, in case the first one turned out wrong. It was a busy week for me as well. The main acitivities I performed were the same as last week; answering questions about quality of their slides and helping with the microscope. The only difference was that this week there were more questions I had to answer and deal with some nervous students. I was not given the TA notes this week. The synopsis for Week 3 can be found here.
Week 4: This week was same as week 3 as students continued to work on their assignment. In addition to completing their assignment they had to perform an Endospore stain and practice the technique of plating. My activities were same as Week 3. I wrote a combined synopsis for week 4 & 5.
Week 5: This was a busy lab for the students, TAs and me. Students had to completely perform and collect data for their Assignment 2. They had to work with the spectrophotometer and obtain the readings for Optical Density. I helped them with adjusting the absorbance and transmittance knobs on the spectrophotometer and outlined the procedure for some who were confused. They also had to perform a palque assay for the phage virus which involved micropipetting. Some students had never used a micropipette before so I demonstrated its correct handling method to them. The synopsis can be found here.
Week 6: This was a fairly simple and easy week of labs. All that was required of students was to inoculate the appropriate tubes with bacterial cultures and incubate them to check them for growth next week. Second half of this week's labs was spent in analyzing the spread plates from last week and counting the growth. I didn't have much to do this week. Click here to view the TA notes. The synopsis for this week was combined with Week 7.
Week 7: This week was also short and quick. Eventhough more experiments were performed, they all were not very work intensive. My major task was to help students better understand the flow chart diagram for the experiment on the effect of disinfectants. Some other simple tests were performed by students such as Catalase and Gelatinase. Some students needed my help in scoring the growth in the tubes they recieved from last week. The synopsis for this week can be found here.
Week 8: Main experiments performed this week were based on effect of Ultraviolet radiation on bacterial growth. I had to constantly observe the working stations with UV lamp on it to make sure any one performing the experiment there had the safety goggles on. some students were confused about how the procedure mentioned in the manual worked. I converted it in the form of a simple flow chart for them which was easy to understand. By this time I was enjoying my time in the lab. I had good and easy going communication with the TAs and the students I was working with. The synopsis is available here.
Week 9: This week was slightly more work intensive than the previous weeks. However, each experiemnt was to be performed as a bench so students could share the work. I found some students struggling with the theory behind bacterial transformation and I went over to their benches to explain them why each step was necessary. Apart from this, the trend of data for the Lysozyme assay was very confusing so I explained that as well, making sure they understood the results for optical density that they were getting. I also handed out my Evaluation Survey and was glad to see a high response rate. This week I met with Dr. Brunt and handed the final version of the Second Reflection exercise for participation credit. The synopsis for this week can be found here. The TA notes are also available
Week 10: This was the second last week for students and last week for me.  It was very very short and performed simply without much questions from the students. Simce students were counting white blood cells under the microscope; I helped them locate their slides and distinguish one type of white blood cell from the other. Click here to read the synopsis of week 10.

When I look back at my 10 weeks and the amount of time and effort I put into this placement to make it a worthwhile activity, It gives me immense satisfaction to see that I have made a difference. This phototimeline gives me a sense of purposefulness and makes me visualize all that I have been able to achieve. It gives me a sense of self-appreciation. All my hardwork actually paid off and those weekend nights I spent preparing for the upcoming labs helped students get better results. If given the chance to do it all over again, I would take the opportunity to draw my comprehensive flowcharts on the board for every one to see (with TAs permission of ocurse) and not just individually at the bench of students who asked me. I would want to take a more outspoken role in the lab if I get a chance to do it again. Nevertheless, I am satisfied to see my work bear fruit. And finally my journey as a lab assistant came to end. It goes without saying that I will definitely miss my time spent in the lab with the students and the TAs.