Next Meeting Tue, November 18th, Room: FLI 50 @ 7pm  

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Outreach Program Policies and Procedures
The following information was discussed at the Tuesday, Sept 26 meeting. If you are an outreach volunteer, all sections of this page are relevant to you.
  1. Safety in the classroom for YOU
  2. Safety in the classroom for STUDENTS
  3. Dress Code for Volunteers
  4. Appropriate Conduct in the Classroom
  5. Maintaining a log of each visit
  6. Kit Retrieval & Return System
  7. Partner Meetup and Match Status
  1. Safety in the classroom for YOU
    • Dress appropriately: set an example (see Dress Code section below for more details)
      • Long pants
      • Proper T-shirt (no midriffs, tank tops, etc)
      • Closed toed shoes (no sandals, flip-flops, etc.)
      • Tie long hair back (flammable)
      • Lab coat if you're feeling really ambitious
    • Safety goggles must be worn if handling dry ice, acids, strong bases, liquid nitrogen, or other hazardous materials-no exceptions
    • You MUST have an MSDS (Materials Safety Data Sheet) on hand for any chemical you bring into the classroom that is not a "household product." This is school board policy. Skim this along with the lab's instructions. These will be available in the Chem Club closet and can also be downloaded online at: http://msds.ehs.cornell.edu/msdssrch.asp
    • NEVER pour non-household chemicals down a classroom drain under ANY circumstances. Always use PROPERLY LABELLED waste containers, which will be available in the Chem Club closet. Bring these back to UF, leave them in the closet, and we will properly dispose them when they become full. Secure these items carefully when transporting them to and from the classroom.
    • Never directly sniff a chemical, always use the "wafting method."
    • Do NOT let students handle hazardous materials such as liquid nitrogen, dry ice, and strong acids/bases-even if they ask to-(this is particularly important for demos-which students will only be WATCHING, not interacting with).
    • Do NOT let students keep/remove disposable materials from the classroom once the lab is complete UNLESS they have obtained explicit permission from their classroom instructor to do so (example: used plastic pipettes, balloons, straws, Ziploc bags, and similar items)
    • Always read the safety notes in each lab write-up and keep them in mind
    • Always make sure the classroom instructor is present with you in the room when you are doing experiments/performing a demo. Do not be left to supervise the students on your own.

     

  2. Safety in the classroom for STUDENTS
    • Always remind the students that there is no eating or drinking in the lab, especially with regard to substances being used in the experiments (which are often edible and commonly found in households)
    • Remind students that there is no "playing" in the lab (although temptation for this is high)-"playing" includes using pipettes to squirt water (or something worse) at friends, mixing random substances together after the lab is finished to see what "cool colors" can be made
    • When applicable, goggles should be worn on the students eyes and no where else (i.e. over their head, around their neck, etc).
    • Accidents always happen-remind students that they will not be punished for accidentally breaking or spilling something. However, they must ALWAYS report any accidents to their classroom teacher immediately.
    • Students should dress appropriately (but in reality they wont, since they don't know what their 'lab days' are)-so they should use caution: remind them of the basics: tie your hair back, wear aprons (if provided by the teacher), LISTEN to instructions before beginning work, ask questions, don't run in the classroom…etc.
    • Students should not try and conduct their own experiments, they should only follow the instructions of the teacher.
    • Remind students to always WASH THEIR HANDS at the end of every lab!

     

  3. Dress Code for Volunteers
    • "If it will get you kicked out of Gen Chem lab, don't wear it."
      • Exception: safety goggles, unless you are dealing with potentially hazardous materials, an open flame, or are in a situation where it would be required
    • Properly fitting (not too tight, not baggy) long pants
    • Properly fitting t-shirt (Chemistry Club or generic UF shirt highly preferred-gives branding and improves legitimacy at schools)-no shirts bearing offensive/sketchy remarks or shirts that are dirty, ripped, etc.
    • No tank tops (or "spaghetti straps" and the like), shorts, excessive jewelry, etc.
    • Closed toed shoes---no flip-flops!
    • School Board has a policy against body piercing and such-with the obvious exception of earrings for girls
    • REMEMBER: You are going to middle and elementary school classrooms (and setting an example + representing your university): dress accordingly! Don't be sloppy.

     

  4. Appropriate Conduct in the Classroom
    • Upon arrival at the school, you and your partner must sign in at the front office before doing anything else. You must also obtain and wear any kind of nametag provided by the school (this alerts others to the fact that you are authorized to be at these schools). When complete, you must sign out.This must be done every visit!
    • Ask the front desk for help in locating your teacher's classroom (first time visit).
    • Avoid talking about any kind of off-color activities with your outreach partner (even if you think you are out of earshot), including about parties, roommate stories, etc. Save these kinds of discussions for the car ride, DO NOT MENTION THEM anywhere while on school grounds.
    • If a student asks you permission for something that is not directly and exclusively related to the completion of the lab activity, you should refer the student to his/her classroom teacher (ex. "can I go to the bathroom," "can I keep this pipette")
    • Always obtain teacher permission/help if in doubt.
    • Never discipline students-always refer problems to the teacher in charge.

     

  5. Maintaining a log of each visit
    1. Date every entry, state the school you are going to, the grade level, and include both your and your partner's names.
    2. Include the name and description of the lab you performed as well as a few notes on how it went. Suggestions, issues that arose, etc. can all be mentioned.
    3. Also include MILEAGE traveled for reimbursement. Submit this log by e-mail or to an outreach coordinator in person at the end of the semester.

     

  6. Kit Retrieval & Return System
    • All supplies for in-class labs will be prepared and ready for pickup at the Chemistry Club closet. The Chemistry Club closet is located on the 3rd floor of the Chemistry Lab Building (CLB). Upon exiting the elevator, take an immediate left and then turn right when you reach the larger hallway. The closet will be on your left, next to the Physical Chemistry door and directly across Dr. Martin Vala's office.
    • The "room number" for the closet is 311H.
    • The closet is always locked. You must obtain a key to open it; please contact a volunteer coordinator for instructions on where this key is located.
    • The closet is arranged in a grid (A1, A2, B1, B2, etc.) system to help you locate labs quickly and easily. Each lab will have a corresponding letter and number (these will be posted on this website). Extra copies of the lab writeups will be available in a filing cabinet also in the closet.
    • You must sign-in and out of the closet log anytime something is removed or returned.

     

    • IMPORTANT!! At the end of each classroom visit, ask your teacher what lab he/she wants the next time you come
      • Record this information on the CALENDAR that will be posted on the Chem. Club bulletin board.
      • Posting on the Calendar constitutes "booking" a lab: if you are the only one who asked for it, it is yours.
      • If another group has already booked the kit for that day (or timeslot), contact your teacher and offer a different (similar, if possible) lab.
      • Some of you may be going to a classroom in a continuity format (i.e. someone has already come the previous period), so you won't need to pick up a kit (continuity volunteers know who they are).
      • Remember to book your kit for each week (or visit); this is your responsibility!

     

    • Download and read the lab you plan on doing a few days before the day of your outreach visit-identify any perishables that might be needed (such as milk, ice, etc.): contact a volunteer coordinator ASAP (at least 48 hrs before scheduled classroom date) to get these materials ready for you. If you forget, you can buy the perishables yourself, keep a receipt (very important!), and be reimbursed later.
    • Emergencies including inability to find key to open closet, kit not found, sick/cannot go, partner not coming, etc.
      • Emergencies 48 hrs prior to scheduled classroom date: outreach@chem.ufl.edu
      • Phone numbers for volunteer coordinators were provided at the meeting (and will be provided at future meetings for those who missed it-you can also e-mail us to get these)

       

  7. Partner Meetup and Classroom Match Status
    • Some people haven't been matched yet: we are still waiting to hear from certain teachers (DO NOT BE WORRIED ABOUT THIS--we will match you up soon)
    • You will be matched by next week; if we can't find a teacher, we will double you with another group so you will be biweekly (we will explain what this means if you're confused)
    • Small number of you have really tight schedules, we will talk individually

Questions? E-mail a coordinator.
 


    

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