How can you gain lab technique experience outside of a formal education?

Laboratory techniques are physical. You need to practice in person which can not be acquired using online courses. Online courses will give theory content but you will need a physical lab to practice.

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Galileo Galilei didn't follow a rigid outline. Science is simple, constant questioning. When establishing a lab, the only limit is your decision to embark on it. There are no predefined standards; the foundation involves forming a hypothesis, making predictions, testing them, and iterating based on results. Science is driven by passion and a compelling need to understand. Your lab can start anywhere, employing thought, experimentation, evidence recording, and theory formulation. Your tools evolve with your curiosity, and education is shaped by perseverance and inquisitive thinking, with success arising from learning through failures. As the saying goes, "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge."

Si bien las tecnicas de laboratorio poseen un sustento teórico que puede abordarse de manera no presencial en una institución, es necesario para cerrar el ciclo de aprendizaje adquirir destrezas en el laboratorio de manera presencial. Entendiento desde el principo las buenas practicas de laboratorio que son necesarias durante cada experiencia o practica a realizar.

I cannot disagree with this more. You cannot practice pipetting using a virtual lab. You certainly cannot practice loading a gel virtually either. You can acquire content knowledge this way but that does not equate with being skilled at these techniques. The only skills involved in pipetting, gel electrophoresis, or PCR is pipetting. But pipetting into a test tube, PCR tube, or into a well in a gel are much different things. None of these can be practiced using a mouse and a keyboard. I do agree that simulations and virtual labs can be used to gain a depth of knowledge on what is happening inside the instruments (gel chamber, thermocycler) during these protocols.

Virtual knowledge distribution can be very deceiving. Some might get impression of how simple things are. Not to mention wrong or bad procedure is shown as a reference... Has happened before, will happen again.

While virtual labs can simulate basic experiments and provide some practice for skills, their effectiveness is limited for more complex techniques requiring physical manipulation and real-time decision-making. The lack of this sensory experience in virtual environments may, in my opinion, hinder skill development.

Virtual labs just like online courses are very helpful to enhancing the knowledge of laboratory techniques but they still fall short if not followed through with hands on practical work.

Virtual labs are never a good way to gain laboratory techniques. Virtual labs only provide a visual overview of the reality but doesn't provide real-time hands-on experience which in the long run becomes part of the student's memory forever.

Creating a "DIY" lab for practice at home can be a useful way to practice lab skills. You need not order an expensive kit for these though. Agar is cheaply acquired in pre-poured plates. But you can learn more if you order it powdered and use a pressure cooker to make your own. Then you can practice pouring plates as well. Once they are set up, a $5 inoculating loop, some ethanol, and a flame (or a cheap alcohol burner) can have you on your way to practicing streak plate techniques. For pure stock cultures, you only need sterile broth and a packet of baker's yeast and you are on your way to practicing basic microbiology. Step up your game with a Gram stain kit and a microscope!

I came from a place where lab equipment's are very expensive to purchase for a DIY Lab. Virtual learning is rarely accessibly due to poor network coverage. From my experience I'd say the best learning method outside of a formal education are as follows, 1. Willing to learn hands on 2. Ask questions 1 on 1 if you are not sure on how to perform a technique or procedures. 3. Be open to corrections and ideas With willingness to learn and good attitude at work, you will improve with time. Cheers!

I agree one can gain hands-on lab experience by setting up a DIY lab at home or within one's community. One must note that he or she needs to get certified by various health and environmental certification agencies responsible for safety and accreditation before the operation of such a lab becomes legal.

Internships and volunteering are like real-world training for learning lab techniques. They let you do actual tasks and experiments, not just read about them. You also get to meet and learn from professionals, make friends, and see how labs really work. It’s like getting a sneak peek into the job while learning.

As a trainer in laboratory based programmes I always tell my students that this is the best way for them to enhance their laboratory skills. We always encourage them to volunteer in a lab during their holidays so that they can get to practice more of the theories and techniques they learn in the university.

Be proactive by reaching out to your lecturer and alumni. Universities and companies usually have spots but they often don't have time to make lab internship announcements on social media.

I totally agree with this concept, as laboratory scope is completely technical. Before start working independently , it's an advantage to have an exposure of practical skills at similar environment. Theoretical knowledge along with the practical exposure creates a technologist. Both of them are relevant to become a qualified technologist.

I consider these to be the best options to consider if one aims to gain lab techniques outside the formal education. Having a hands-on experience has personally helped and given me an edge over some of my colleagues. Interning or volunteering will equip you with the necessary lab techniques that you need to scale up your portfolio.

Connect with professionals in the field through networking events, seminars, and online forums. Engaging in conversations with experienced researchers can provide valuable insights into lab techniques, and they may offer guidance or mentorship.

Networking and learning from others is very helpful as this makes it possible to learn from those who have been there already through them you can learn the flow of the proffesion and how to handle challenges when you come across.

One can interact with fellow laboratory Technologists to learn various skills on pre analytical, analytical and post analytical lab methods. Lab Technologist can also share findings of various microscopy findings and challenge each other to give reports , compare results and recommend further trainings.

Ver outra pessoa a realizar um procedimento facilita a sua perce??o sobre o que de fato está sendo feito, quais s?o as etapas essenciais, a melhor maneira de fazer uma pesagem ou medi??o, entre outras coisas. Eu, particularmente, acho fundamental o aprendizado contínuo entre uma equipa.

Exploring community workshops or local science clubs, collaborating on independent research projects, participating in science-related events or conferences, and engaging in hands-on projects at local makerspaces could provide valuable lab technique experience outside of formal education.

Galileo Galilei, science is simple, constant questioning. The only limit to science is your decision to embark on on the journey or read about those who do. There are no predefined standards; the foundation involves forming a hypothesis, making predictions, testing them, and iterating based on results. Science is driven by passion and a compelling need to understand. Your lab can start anywhere, employing thought, experimentation, evidence recording, and theory formulation. Your tools evolve with your curiosity, and education is shaped by perseverance and inquisitive thinking, with success arising from learning through failures. As the saying goes, "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge."

A tremendous pathway is third party oil and gas labs. There are numerous positions that open in sample handling or warehouse work that familiarize one with hazmat precautions, handling, and record keeping. Then a transition to a lab tech position will provide on the job training and from there you can continue your education with the ubiquitous tuition assistance and transfer into a chemist role. If you already have the formal education, the continuous and varied samples will emphasize efficient, conscientious testing. It's possible to start this journey with only a high school diploma, but a degree obviously helps.

I am not a licensed chemist by Philippine standards and I'm just a B.S. Chemistry grad: Thus, sinply go to back the basics. Go back to the 1+1=2 of things and reject what does not hold water or what do not add up. "Experts" might entice you into some "certification" course but if it's just some "clickathon" elearning program, it is wise not to fall into it. Just know your lab requirements. Study your parameters, know the instruments needed for the parameters. Get the standards needed, know how to prepare your reagents, perform your "target practice" by "hitting" the concentration range to a narrow standard dev. Don't argue during disputes, save your breath & simply win a blind testing against them and that settles it.