Restoring Rivers: Insights from U.S. Practitioners
River restoration efforts in the U.S. are on the rise, with significant funding allocated annually. The National River Restoration Science Synthesis aims to evaluate success levels, identify key aspects of successful projects, and inform future restoration efforts. By compiling and organizing data on a national scale, the project seeks to understand the current state of river restoration projects in the country. Results from interviews with practitioners reveal varying levels of success in different projects, highlighting the need for ongoing assessment and improvement in river restoration practices.
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Assessment of Safety Practices in Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories James H Whalen, Ph.D. Donna M Jaramillo-Fellin, PhD.
Assessment of safety in the instructional labs Part of our mission is to ensure safety within the instructional lab Considerations: Hazardous waste Dangerous equipment chemicals biohazards
Statement of problem Students have little to no training/experience in a lab environment Staff do not interact directly with students Teaching assistants (TAs) provide all training and teaching to students in the labs Solution Staff must provide adequate training to TAs to prepare them to teach undergraduates
How do we ensure TAs are receiving adequate training? 1. cleanliness of the lab room following a class 2. check for appropriate disposal of hazardous waste by students 3. incident reports involving students Collection of these data used as basis for feedback to TAs to let them know how they were doing- TA feedback version 1
TA Feedback Version 1 Data collected from student labs and presented to individual TAs to share observations relating to lab safety Example:
Protocol for lab safety training Train Teaching Assistant (TA) for experiment and related hazards Assess lab safety Provide TAs feedback
Protocol for lab safety training Train Teaching Assistant (TA) for experiment and related hazards Assess lab safety Provide TAs feedback This process is terminal and as such does not enable us to assess how we are doing or to improve the process
Creating a cyclical process for improvement of lab safety training Train Teaching Assistant (TA) for experiment and related hazards Closing the loop Assess lab safety Provide TAs feedback How can we create a new process that enables constant feedback to the staff and enable continual improvement ?
Protocol for continued assessment and improvement of lab safety training Train Teaching Assistant (TA) for experiment and related hazards Update training protocols Assess lab safety Solicit TA input on how staff can improve TA preparation Provide TAs feedback
Input and Revision Process Started providing feedback in Spring 2015. Developed survey during Spring and Summer 2015. First survey went out to select TAs at the end of Summer 2015. Held meeting with TAs and faculty on the feedback form and process in Fall 2015. Revised feedback form and survey for end of Fall 2015.
TA Feedback Version 2 Added wording to beginning of form: This form is intended as a tool to assist the lab instructor and the lab coordinator in communicating feedback to aid in the lab instructor s development. This form will not go into the lab instructor s personnel file and will not be used in hiring decisions. Changed rating to agree/disagree. Example: Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree Disagree Agree N/A 1. Safety Adherence: Follows proper safety guidelines during lab. Proper PPE worn by students and TA during lab. Initial stages of chemical exposure handled correctly. Incident reports submitted in timely fashion. Disposes of waste appropriately. Safety Adherence Comments & Recommendations:
Development of Survey How do lab staff prepare the TAs to do well in: Safety Adherence? Lab Management? Lab Preparation? Dependability? Cooperation?
Safety Adherence I was provided adequate training in how to correctly use the equipment. I was provided with adequate safety training for my labs. I was given clear instructions on how my students should clean their workspace when finished. I was provided timely assistance when issues arose in my labs. I was provided with clear instructions on how to dispose of hazardous waste.
Development of Survey Open questions What are the lab staff doing really well? How could the lab staff improve the support for the instructional labs? How could the Teaching Assistant feedback form be improved?
TA Survey Results Safety-Related Responses Summer 2015-Summer 2016 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Adequate safety training Timely assistance w/ safety issues Clear instructions for hazardous waste Clear instructions for cleaning Adequate equipment training % of Respondents Who Agree & Strongly Agree % of Respondents Who Were Neutral % of Respondents Who Disagree & Strongly Disagree
Protocol for continued assessment and improvement of lab safety training Train Teaching Assistant (TA) for experiment and related hazards Update training protocols Assess lab safety Solicit TA input on how staff can improve TA preparation Provide TAs feedback
