With the variety of science programs provided, Sinclair offers labs of many kinds to cater to the needs of students studying in these fields. Both the Geology Resource Center and B.I.O.S.I.S. lab are examples of these facilities.
The Geology Resource Center is located in building 1, room 130. It contains resources for students who need to make up lab assignments, or who just need resources to study. Students can use whatever type of resource they need from the lab.
Additionally, the Geology Resource Center is the only room where students can make up labs for their courses.
Students can also come to the Geology Resource Center for assistance with their lab materials.
“[The students] can come in here and get direct assistance,” Said Jan Knapp, a geology professor who oversees the lab.
Other than making up assignments and obtaining study materials, the lab also has reserved time for fossil identification which uses both physical materials and computer resources.
Some lecture materials used by students are also present in the lab.
“[The students] do some material from lecture where they are plotting earthquakes, where they get information from the internet and they are able to plot it right here,” Knapp said.
The Geology Resource Center is unique in the fact that it gives students time to make up their lab work rather than squeezing into another classes time.
With the similar idea of a resource filled facility for students, the B.I.O.S.I.S. lab is another resource location available at Sinclair. Students can use the tools available to their advantage, while also broadening their knowledge.
The B.I.O.S.I.S. lab, located in building 1 room 043, is a self-instructional lab that provides identical tools and models from classes students may be taking. These tools include microscopes, slides and dissection supplies.
The B.I.O.S.I.S. lab is not meant to make up a lab, but rather to review and practice material to improve a students knowledge of the subject.
The lab is provided on a drop-in basis, and a tutor may be present to answer questions relating to the coursework. Students going through Tutorial Services are also encouraged to use the B.I.O.S.I.S. lab to their advantage.
“We are also open, if students go through tutorial services and have an appointment, to students and their tutor to come up to the B.I.O.S.I.S. lab so that they can use our supplies,” Bonnie Futrell, Director of the lab, said.
To sign into the lab, students who are enrolled in biology classes can use their tartan card with a scanner located at the lab, although students not enrolled in biology classes can still sign in to the lab.
Any student can use the B.I.O.S.I.S. lab. This includes non-biology majors and homeschooled students as well, which leaves the lab open to almost anyone who needs resources for biology.
One of the biggest benefits of the B.I.O.S.I.S. lab is the access to expensive and difficult to access models that many biology classes use for tests.
“These models are the same as what they’re seeing in their classroom,” Futrell stated.
There are also tables set up so that students may work in groups. Even though the lab is used based on individual need, group study is encouraged.
The Geology and B.I.O.S.I.S. labs are both resources that students needing assistance can visit to ensure their academic success.
Sean Kahle
Reporter