SSL Spring 2017

1. Welcome to the Science Skills Lab!
Science Skills Lab (SSL)
Spring 2017 Orientation

2. Employees and Location
Personnel:
Cheryl Burrell, Ph.D., SSL Coordinator
Tatjana Jovanovic Grove, M.Sc., SSL Instructor
Silvia Gutierrez, Ph.D., SSL instructor
Robin Thomas, B.Sc., SSL instructor
Danilo Boada, Ph.D., SSL instructor
Melissa Nielsen, A.A.S., SSL Lab Technician
Location:
OGC 2539, Main Campus
Forsyth Technical Community College

3. Welcome to the Science Skills Lab!
Please follow the link for the introductory video:
http://tinyurl.com/SSL-Introduction
*hours of operation are changed since the video was
made. These are the current ones:
SSL hours of operation:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday:
9 am – 8 pm
Saturday (use back entrance only):
9 am – 4 pm

4. What’s the difference between the SSL and
Traditional Labs?
Traditional Labs: SSL:
Flexibility: Labs have to be done at a set
time each week.
Students can schedule labs at various times during the week
depending on their availability.
Lab Material: Copyrighted materials from
established publishers –
costly.
Depending on the course, open source labs – lower cost to
students
Uniqueness: Implemented in most
institutions
First facility of its kind to offer flexible labs over various
disciplines. In addition, students are developing soft skills
such are accountability and familiarity with a proper and
independent lab equipment use, both valuable for workforce.
Learning is made easier and more accessible to students while at the same time keeping them at a high
standard of academic performance.

5. Who do we cater to?
A wide cross-section of students, for instance:
 Working students
 Displaced workers
 Stay at home parents
 Early College students
 Different Learning Styles and Pace
 Self Motivated Students

6. Before beginning the assignment
Did you sign in the TutorTrac?
This must be done as soon as you arrive to get credit for your time in lab.
Sign out when you leave or you will be signed out automatically and get credit for only 1 hour!
Please follow the link for the scheduling video: http://tinyurl.com/SSL-TutorTracSchedule

7. Username & Password is the
same as your Techlink
account!!
Before Lab:
Scheduling Lab Appointments using Tutor Trac
Select the dates you are
interested in and click on the
search button.
 Use same username as other accounts
 Easy scheduling: course info & availability
 Reminder via e-mail

8. During Lab: Tutor Trac Sign in
 Easy kiosk login: ensures credit
 REQUIRED 2 steps!
 Pick lab section and activity (all lab
activities preloaded, please scroll
down to find the current one!)
 Make sure to click SUBMIT before you
go to the bench, otherwise it will
expire and your presence will not be
recorded!!!
 Sign out requires that you only enter your
information (1 step), it will have your
name and “Thank you for the visit”

9. Room 2531 hosts Anatomy and
Physiology open labs for all A&P
students, BIO 168 and BIO 169 labs.
Room 2539 hosts BIO 111, BIO 112,
CHM 131A, and CHM 132 labs.
Courses facilitated in the SSL to date

10. Do you have a proper attire?
Please follow the link for the video regarding rules in the lab: http://tinyurl.com/SSL-Rules-Guidelines
Before beginning the assignment

11. Before Attending the Lab
Go over lab and corresponding Course materials on Blackboard
 Class/Lecture materials
 Written materials
 Worked Examples
 Mini-lecture videos
 Animations
 Laboratory materials
 Laboratory documents print, read and bring to lab
 Videos and animations to demonstrate the use of equipment or specific techniques
 Pre-lab quiz, if applicable

12. During the Lab
The Lab Space is organized to
promote independent work (self
sufficiency & developing soft skills).
Students may finish labs during one
or multiple appointments

13. Example of arrangement of equipment on
a typical lab desk (BTC181-900)
All materials needed for labs are
provided at your lab bench.
Ask instructor for materials that need
to be kept cold / frozen, or if you
cannot locate the item you need.

14. The Lab Equipment Manual helps students to
identify and locate the equipment needed for each lab:
These are the binders you can
find on the bench.
The original pdf document
containing the same
information is uploaded on
your BlackBoard page, please
take time to get familiar with
the equipment.

15. Even though students are encouraged to be
independent, they receive guidance from instructors
Try to work things our yourself but
don’t be afraid to get help!
There will always be an instructor in
the SSL to help and guide you.

16. Before you leave:
Please follow the link for the video regarding lab supplies: http://tinyurl.com/SSL-LabSuppliesSolutions
Golden rule is your best guidance: leave the lab space you have used the way you want it to welcome you!
The lab documents are graded complete or incomplete before the student leaves:
 Complete
A complete means the student has answered all questions associated with the lab experiment. Student’s lab will
be stamped as complete and checked off on roster.
 Incomplete
The student is given the opportunity to correct any errors or to finish the assignment. Students can come later to
finish lab and get checked off. It is a student’s responsibility to get paperwork initialed and dated, and that lab
assignment number is recorded in roster book.
When you complete the assignment:

17.  Study and complete all assignments
Go over assigned videos, reading materials.
Study labs to make sure everything makes sense
Study labs and all associated content before each test
If applicable, be current on your Blogs, Study cases, Homework, and Lab reports
 Tests:
Some tests may be taken at home (typically lecture tests alternate between being taken at home and testing center)
At home tests can also be taken on campus
Some tests must be taken on campus (proctored lecture tests, all lab tests)
 Consult your syllabus: proper time management is the key for success in any hybrid course!
 Please follow the link for the video regarding your success in the SSL: http://tinyurl.com/SSL-TipsForSuccess
After lab and at home:

18. Asking questions
 During lab the on duty instructor is your best resource
 Questions regarding content and grades should be directed to your course instructor
Instructors of record for each course will be in the SSL certain times of the week
E-mail your instructor of record
Most questions can be addressed through e-mail
Formal meetings can be arranged when needed

19. Saturdays:
Attending SSL on the weekends:
The building is locked except for the lab entrance
door as labeled on the photo (on the catwalk next to
the stairway).
It is recommended to park in labeled area during
weekend for the safety reasons (this parking space
can be easily seen from the lab).

20. Attendance
 Students who miss 2 labs may be automatically dropped from the course
 Students who don’t complete entry assignment will be dropped
 Communicate with your instructor if you have any issues so we can work with you

21. To wrap up:
 Complete assignments on time: know your due dates for course assignments
 Get your labs checked off: this may count towards your final grade
 Be safe and courteous, step outside to eat or take a phone call
 Wear proper lab attire: lab coat, goggles, closed to shoes, no eating and drinking in the lab
 Clean up after yourself
 Read the SSL information and guidelines document for additional information

22. Orientation check list
 Read the SSL guidelines and lab safety documents
 Complete the BlackBoard entry assignment before you begin your lab assignment
 Sign all orientation documents
Thank you for choosing our lab for your academic endeavors, we are looking forward
working with you toward achieving your goals!
Science Skills Lab staff