When you fill out the Event Request form, you will be asked to identify times needed to set up and clean up your event. This time will be included in your reservation so you can be adequately prepared. It is important to include at least a small amount of set up time to ensure that equipment is working properly. Events run much more smoothly if any needed troubleshooting can occur before the event rather than in the middle of it.
Fees cannot be charged for attending an event in the STEM Education Collaboratory.
If taking photographs, Media Release Forms must be completed by the participants and submitted to the Lab Manager at the end of the event.
Food and drink are not allowed in the STEM Lab. If during an event you would like to serve food please make arrangements with the Biological Systems Engineering department to use one of the classrooms on the first floor in Seitz. Please note, since these are classrooms managed by a different department we can not guarantee the availability or usage of these rooms during the time of your event. Contact Laura Eanes (lheanes@vt.edu or 231-6615) to check to see if a room would be available during the time of your event if you would like to serve food.
If you would like training on any equipment in the STEM Education Collaboratory, you may indicate that on the Event Request form and you will be contacted for more information and to arrange a time for training. Training does not have to be in conjunction with an event, so if you would like to learn more about equipment without scheduling an event, email the Lab Manager (CLAHSStemCollaboratory-recs@exchange.vt.edu) and a time will be arranged. Training should be requested at least two weeks in advance to allow adequate time for scheduling.
While there are ten Ethernet connected computers for participants and two computers for presenters, there may be a need for participants or presenters to connect to the Internet wirelessly either through their personal equipment or the laptops available in the STEM Education Collaboratory. VT students, faculty, and staff can connect through the VT_WLAN network using their PID and password. However, individuals not affiliated with the university will require a guest wireless account. These accounts cost $8.75 per day. Because wireless accounts are created through another office, please be sure to request wireless accounts at least two weeks in advance to allow time for processing.
At the start of an event where participants may be unfamiliar with the STEM Education Collaboratory, please take a moment to provide a brief orientation to the facility. This should include emergency exits, the location of safety equipment appropriate to the event (first aid kit, fire extinguisher, eye wash, fire blanket, etc.), location of trash and recycling containers, and the location of the water fountain and restrooms.
You are expected to leave the STEM Education Collaboratory in the same condition, or better, that it was in when you arrived. The staff is not responsible for cleaning up after your event. When you contact the Lab Manager to reserve the lab, you will be given a checklist of tasks to perform when leaving the STEM Education Collaboratory. In general, please be sure that equipment and materials are returned to the proper location, the areas are clean, equipment is powered down, and doors and cabinets are shut and locked.
The main entrance to the lab locks every time it closes. Propping the door open can be dangerous during an emergency since the door opens into the hallway.
For those events that are granted funded or continuing / professional education please be sure to provide a list of materials that you will be bringing to the event. This helps to ensure that items are not mixed up with those that are in the STEM Lab in case there are similar items. Also, this prevents others from using or depleting resources that are brought in for a particular project or event. Supplies brought to the STEM Lab by grant events will not be replenished by the SOE, that responsibility lies with those in charge of the program. For events that will be taking place over multiple days space is available to store equipment on site. If this space is needed please contact the Lab Manager in advance to make arrangements.
Classes in the STEM Education Collaboratory are scheduled through the normal class scheduling procedure. Classes are automatically staffed for the first three class meetings. If you need your class staffed beyond that, please email the Lab Manager (CLAHSStemCollaboratory-recs@exchange.vt.edu).
If your class is not meeting during a normally scheduled time, please email the Lab Manager so that other events can be scheduled during that time.
The IRB approval form must be on file in the STEM Education Collaboratory before the start of the event. It can be emailed to the Lab Manager (CLAHSStemCollaboratory-recs@exchange.vt.edu) or physically delivered to 112 Seitz Hall.
Laboratories are inherently dangerous places. While in the STEM Collaboratory, please follow all posted rules and regulations. Unless directed and accompanied by a trained individual there should be no access to the prototyping area of the lab or use of any power tools. Please refrain from using any equipment for purposes outside of it intended use.
In order to obtain an access to the prototyping area, you should complete all seven trainings listed below:
Electrical Awareness
HAZCOM RTK
Ladder Safety
Lockout-Tagout Awareness
Machine Shop Safety
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Awareness
Portable Fire Extinguishers
Depending on the project being done, there may come a time when chemicals are required. All of the tables, excluding the ones under the window and those in the prototyping area, are rated to handle chemicals. However, please use caution when handling the chemicals. Proper eyewear and personal protection should be used based on the type of chemicals that are being handled. In case of handling dangerous or volatile chemicals, please use the fume hood to limit potential damage, fumes, or spills. If there is a spill or accident, contact the Lab Manager or OIT Assistant Director.
Never leave power equipment “running” while unattended.
Know the location and use of all fire equipment in the laboratory.
Pay attention to what you are doing at all times.
Avoid loud talking, shouting, and other distracting behaviors in the classroom and laboratory.
Do not run in the laboratory.
Wear proper clothing in the mechanics laboratory.
No loose clothing, loose jewelry, or unsecured long hair.
No open heel or open toe shoes.
Eye protection is required at all times.
Special eye, face, or skin protection is required when performing certain tasks.
Wear safety glasses or goggles anytime machinery is in use while in the mechanics laboratory and in other areas specified by the instructor. Additional PPE may be required when operating certain tools.
Use guards and safety devices at all times.
Turn off power equipment immediately after use.
Operate power equipment only on a one student at a time basis.
Check power equipment for safety before putting it into operation.
Avoid carelessness and/or “horseplay” which will not be tolerated.
Notify the instructor in case of accident, injury, fire, defective equipment or tools, or any prevailing safety hazard.
Use only those tools or machines in which you have completed safety instruction and passed a written test to become certified.
Avoid laying tools or materials in walkways.
Be sure that you are familiar with all controls before using power equipment.
Do not leave the laboratory or work area unless the instructor gives you permission.
Eye Protection
The State Department of Labor requires that anyone in the mechanics laboratory while activities are in progress must wear eye protection.
Safety glasses are required at all times that machinery is in use in the mechanics laboratory and in other areas specified by the instructor.
The safety glasses used in the laboratory must have a manufacturer emblem and a Z87 logo. The Z87 logo means that the safety glasses are industrial quality.
Hand Tools
Never cut toward yourself unless the tool is specifically designed for that type of cutting.
Use tools of the proper size for the job.
Do not handle tools in a careless manner.
Use only those files and rasps that are equipped with handles.
Use the proper tool for the job and use it in the correct manner. Example: Never use a wrench as a hammer.
Keep tools clean for safety reasons and to extend tool life.
Handle sharp and pointed tools with extreme caution.
Secure work in a vise or clamp when sawing, welding, or other times when needed.
Do not endanger other persons or co-workers in any way. You are responsible for your actions.
Report all broken tools or items of equipment to the instructor immediately.
Return all tools or other work items to the proper storage location when the job is completed.
Compressed Air
Use the lowest possible pressure to accomplish the job.
Avoid stretching the hose.
Do not insert objects into the connections.
Stand to the side while connecting or disconnecting air lines.
Do not use compressed air to clean off clothes or any part of the body.
Do not direct the stream of air at any person.
The STEM Education Collaboratory is often used by people who are unfamiliar with the facility. It is important for the university representatives be familiar with the emergency plans and be capable to lead in an emergency. The Emergency Action Plan for the STEM Education Collaboratory is located in an orange binder on the counter below the key cabinet. An emergency kit that can be used for both sheltering in place and during an evacuation is located in the office.
In the event of a building evacuation, the emergency exits are out the external door in the Digital Media area, or making a right out the main door to 112 Seitz and turn right at the first hallway. The assembly point is the Price parking lot at the corner of West Campus Dr. and Drillfield Dr. If it is possible to do so safely, collect the emergency backpack kit from the office and the Emergency Action Plan binder while evacuating.
A small first aid kit is located by the sink in the Prototyping Lab area. First aid kits are also located in rooms 110 and 114 of Seitz Hall. The nearest AED is on the third floor of Agnew Hall. Eye washes are adjacent to the sink on the workbench in the Instruction and Collaboration area and the Prototyping Lab area. Fire extinguishers are located by the external door in the Digital Media area and main door into the STEM Education Collaboratory. In the event of an injury or illness, please complete an Incident Report Form (see Appendix D, also available in the Resources section on Scholar) and submit it to the Lab Manager (CLAHSStemCollaboratory-recs@exchange.vt.edu).
© 2021 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University