Re: [DCHAS-L] [External] Re: [DCHAS-L] Seeking Literature on Safety Impacts of Transitioning from Online to In-Person Chemistry Labs

Section 5.2.1: Policy on Remote Laboratory Experiences
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Virtual/at-home/simulated labs can supplement but not replace in person experiences for the foundational and in-depth courses.
● Chemistry is an empirical science that requires the safe and effective physical manipulation of materials, equipment, and instrumentation. This
first person experiential expertise cannot be developed solely through simulations.

Ralph,

Good to hear from you and thank you for your insight. I'll do some further digging into JChemEd to explore the articles on home and student-led labs in the undergraduate curriculum, hoping it might offer some perspectives on safety considerations. It's intriguing to hear about and note the apparent bias against certain types of evidence in the chemistry literature, and finding resources that highlight that would be useful on their own.

-Dan Jacques

On Mon, Aug 7, 2023 at 2:45 PM Ralph Stuart <ralph**At_Symbol_Here**rstuartcih.org> wrote:

> While the above question points toward both the anecdotal and what seems like common sense, is there evidence of such in the literature? Despite several semesters of students transitioning from online to in-person chemistry labs these past few years, I've found no specific literature on this context.

No, there isn’t anything in the literature like this. In exploring the information in the chemistry literature about unexpected hazardous reactions, we have found that there the statistically-based literature is biased against such information, and even more so against epidemiological evidence of the kind you describe.

That said, there have been several articles in J Chem Ed about the role of home and student led labs in the undergrad curriculum, and you may be able to find information about the safety limitations of this kind of work there.

Good luck!

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
ralph**At_Symbol_Here**rstuartcih.org

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Daniel R. N. Jacques, MS

Chemistry Stockroom and Safety Manager

Instructional Support Specialist, SL4

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Dept. of Chemistry - ISC 329

SUNY Geneseo, 1 College Circle, Geneseo, NY 14454

Office: (585) 245-5318

Website: geneseo.edu/chemstockroom

American Chemical Society Committee on Chemical Safety Member 

DEI Advisor - College Senate

Safe Zone Instructor

Chair - Geneseo Laboratory Safety Committee

President's Commission on Diversity and Community, member

Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service, 2017

LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Award, 2018

SUNY Geneseo Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Award, 2023

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