Location

Philadelphia, PA

Start Date

10-5-2021 12:00 AM

End Date

13-5-2021 12:00 AM

Description

Introduction: In early 2020, COVID-19 entered the United States, and by the end of March 2020, the city had mandated schools shut down to slow the spread and flatten the curve. Beginning in the fall, PCOM started slowly opening up research labs again to students with restrictions in capacity and returning onto campus. The new standards affected the normal timeline of introducing new students into the lab. The Bravo research laboratory takes an average of 20 students in each year, with a limited number of students allowed to be trained at the time, the lab management personnel had to adapt to be able to train them all. To counteract this, a plan to create virtual methods in preparing incoming students was started. The goal is to have students prepared to enter the lab in a safe manner while following all guidelines instructed by PCOM.

Methods: Video footage was recorded following proper safety procedures set in place by PCOM. The filming process involved a two person team wearing N95 masks with one handling the experimental protocol while the second filmed using a digital video camera (model: HDV-604S). All video footage was transferred to a Macbook Pro and loaded into the software iMovie for video editing. The finished file was converted into a playable mp4 file and shared with the students using a GoogleDrive folder. Other softwares used for virtual communication included FaceTime and GoogleMeet to carry out virtual training and orientation.

Results: The following procedures were created from the study: 1). Five minute video showing the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) experimental procedure. 2). Four minute video demonstrating the Electroretinography (ERT) procedure. 3). Three minute video documenting the process of obtaining eyes for histology. 4). Facetime is used to train students in changing oxygen tanks in the LAR for hyperoxia experiments. 5). GoogleMeet was used to present a powerpoint to provide the LAR orientation for incoming students. 6). Immunohistochemistry and Microscope training were conducted using GoogleMeet to present a powerpoint prior to a short in person demonstration to shorten exposure.

Conclusions: The three videos served as a way for the incoming new students to become familiar with the various experimental protocols required in their project and allowed them to smooth transition onto campus. Students taking required courses prior to getting clearance will be able to start familiarizing themselves with required lab techniques. Returning students coming back into the lab will also be able to use these videos to refresh their techniques themselves prior to their day back in the lab. The powerpoints will provide students with proper lab safety/protocols as reference in the future. The plan is to use the media files as a reference for future students entering the lab when in-person training resumes as a standard in training. These virtual tools will provide flexibility for all future incoming students after restrictions are lifted.

Embargo Period

6-7-2021

COinS
 
May 10th, 12:00 AM May 13th, 12:00 AM

Adapting to Challenges Presented in Training New Students in Laboratory Techniques During COVID-19

Philadelphia, PA

Introduction: In early 2020, COVID-19 entered the United States, and by the end of March 2020, the city had mandated schools shut down to slow the spread and flatten the curve. Beginning in the fall, PCOM started slowly opening up research labs again to students with restrictions in capacity and returning onto campus. The new standards affected the normal timeline of introducing new students into the lab. The Bravo research laboratory takes an average of 20 students in each year, with a limited number of students allowed to be trained at the time, the lab management personnel had to adapt to be able to train them all. To counteract this, a plan to create virtual methods in preparing incoming students was started. The goal is to have students prepared to enter the lab in a safe manner while following all guidelines instructed by PCOM.

Methods: Video footage was recorded following proper safety procedures set in place by PCOM. The filming process involved a two person team wearing N95 masks with one handling the experimental protocol while the second filmed using a digital video camera (model: HDV-604S). All video footage was transferred to a Macbook Pro and loaded into the software iMovie for video editing. The finished file was converted into a playable mp4 file and shared with the students using a GoogleDrive folder. Other softwares used for virtual communication included FaceTime and GoogleMeet to carry out virtual training and orientation.

Results: The following procedures were created from the study: 1). Five minute video showing the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) experimental procedure. 2). Four minute video demonstrating the Electroretinography (ERT) procedure. 3). Three minute video documenting the process of obtaining eyes for histology. 4). Facetime is used to train students in changing oxygen tanks in the LAR for hyperoxia experiments. 5). GoogleMeet was used to present a powerpoint to provide the LAR orientation for incoming students. 6). Immunohistochemistry and Microscope training were conducted using GoogleMeet to present a powerpoint prior to a short in person demonstration to shorten exposure.

Conclusions: The three videos served as a way for the incoming new students to become familiar with the various experimental protocols required in their project and allowed them to smooth transition onto campus. Students taking required courses prior to getting clearance will be able to start familiarizing themselves with required lab techniques. Returning students coming back into the lab will also be able to use these videos to refresh their techniques themselves prior to their day back in the lab. The powerpoints will provide students with proper lab safety/protocols as reference in the future. The plan is to use the media files as a reference for future students entering the lab when in-person training resumes as a standard in training. These virtual tools will provide flexibility for all future incoming students after restrictions are lifted.