I have not been involved with these conversations, but I am actively taking online courses elsewhere at the moment that have made use of Carolina’s Distance Learning Lab Kits for Anatomy/Physiology. They have a Chemistry Series with labs that seem like they would be suitable for lower level classes. I have not used the Chemistry kits personally, but it seems like a better route than attempting to prepare something from scratch. At least if they cover the needs of the class in question.

 

It might be something to look into at least.

 

Brian Meschewski, CCHO

Research Safety Professional
 
Division of Research Safety
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
101 S Gregory St | M/C 225
Urbana, IL 61801
(217)333-2423 | bmesche2**At_Symbol_Here**illinois.edu
www.drs.illinois.edu

 

 

Hi all,

 

Many institutions, including Stanford University, are conducting all classes online for the foreseeable future. We’re quickly seeing a spike in questions around sending chemicals, adhesives, etc. to students’ homes to facilitate distance teaching lab classes. This presents a lot of thorny issues around safety, hazardous materials shipping, hazardous waste, safety culture, and equitable learning (i.e., some materials may only be available or able to be shipped domestically, leaving international students out).

 

How have other institutions tackled this? Are you completely banning it, providing a list of acceptable chemicals/work practices, reviewing each experiment, or totally out of the conversation?

 

Thank you all!

Jennifer

 

Jennifer Mattler, CIH, M.S., M.S.
Industrial Hygienist/Chemical Hygiene Officer
Environmental Health and Safety
Stanford University
650.723.0183

 

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