Week 12: Time for lab work!

After being told that I would not return to the traditional classroom for quite a while, I looked for opportunities to keep me busy during this COVID-19 Quarantine. In addition to creating online content for students at Oley Valley, helping out on the family farm, and serving as the "delivery driver" for my grandparents, I have been working at MRG Labs. I have been conducting various lab testings for grease and oil analysis.

Pennsylvania stores are closed with the exception of facilities that are essential for life. Because MRG Labs conducts analysis for companies in the medical, energy, and paper industries, we are able to remain open and help our customers. The majority of staff at MRG right now is working from home, but there are a few staff members and interns continuing the work for others to analyze.

I have been mostly working on the moisture analysis of grease and oil analysis samples. With this test, I insert a test tube into the Vapor Pro XL machine. In the test tube is a plastic substrate with a small amount of grease. Using nitrogen, the machine conducts a test to determine how much moisture, in ppm, is in the sample. When we have this information, it can help determine the probability of rust or other water-related issues in the machinery.

When working in the lab for the week, I have been putting skills I learned at Oley Valley to good use! In the Animal and Plant Biotechnology course, I learned how to properly use a micropipet. Using the micropipet was a part of my responsibilities this week! Along with the micropipet, I had to use different mathematical equations to determine how much additive I needed to incorporate into a sample. There were many times that I was working in the lab this week and was brought back to information I learned in the lab at Oley Valley.

Another important point to make is how MRG is working to avoid the spread of COVID-19 in the laboratory. Each morning an employee comes into the lab and before we leave, an infrared image is captured. The tear duct is a good determination of the individual's temperature. If someone's temperature is higher than 99.5 degrees, additional measures will be completed. PPM, or personal protective equipment, is another key component of keeping employees safe. When I come in every morning, I grab a lab coat, a pair of safety glasses, and latex gloves. Washing one's hands for 20 seconds before and after putting on gloves is an important step. Alcohol wipes are distributed around the lab to wipe down any surfaces. Employees are reminded to keep a 6 foot distance from other individuals at all times. With all of these safety precautions in place, I feel safe in this time of uncertainty.

Despite not being in the classroom, I can say that I am learning a lot! With the time I get to spend at MRG Labs, zooming with my fellow cohort members, and keeping in contact with my cooperating teachers, I try to keep myself busy! I am excited to take a shot at online education next week. Oley Valley will be having "virtual office hours" for all students and teachers starting next week. Teachers are expected to have assignments and activities posted for students on our online platform, Schoology. I am interested how online schooling will go, but excited to be one of the "guinea pig" student teachers in this situation. Tune in next week to see how my first week as an online student teacher goes!