BLAST (Basic Laboratory Skills Testing): Evolution
of a Practical Laboratory Skills Foundation to
Support Undergraduate Research
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences
Tarleton State University
Dale Telgenhoff
Sally Lewis
Rational for Development of BLAST
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Mission of MLS
History of research in MLS
Past UG research experiences
Goals
– Prepare UG for research prior to experience
– Preparation for graduate school
Creation Phase
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Identify medium for project
Define outcomes
Identify Faculty/Project Coordinator
Communicate desired project goals and
outcomes to Project Coordinator and MLS
faculty
• Departmental support
You want me to do what??????
Defining Outcomes
• Students
• Faculty
Defining Outcomes
Calming the Beast
Initiation Phase: Boot Camp I
Identification of Basic
Skills
Separation of “Basic”
and “Advanced”
Review of Skills
Previously Learned
Assessment of Mastery
What is a “Basic Skill”?
Skill Selection
Basic Skills
Advanced Skills
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Hand washing
Disinfecting countertops
Cleaning up biohazard spill
Removal of contaminated gloves,
clothing
Selection of proper waste receptacle
Microscopy
Koehler Illumination
Pipetting
Monitoring temperatures
Dilutions
Lab Math
Gravimetric analysis
Centrifugation
Phlebotomy
Specimen collection
Cell counting
Instrument operation
pH adjustment
Spectrophotometry
Osmometry
Molecular techniques
Skill Categories
Biosafety
• Handwashing
• PPE
• Biohazard clean-up
• Waste management
Pipetting
Microscopy
• Components
• Optimal imaging
• Koehler
• Modifications
Dilutions and Solutions
• Glassware selection
• Concentration mathematics
• Gravimetric analysis
• Centrifugation
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Procedure
Selection
Micropipettes
Troubleshooting
Instructional Phase: Boot Camp I
Format
• Four 2-hour sessions
• Hands-on laboratory
instruction
• Time dedicated for
practice
• Facilities available for
additional practice
Instructional Session Example
• Handwashing –
GloGerm Handwash
• Spill clean-up
• Segregation of waste
Assessment: Boot Camp I
Assessment Stations
• One-on-one
performance of skill
in front of faculty
• Four stations,
rotation of students
• Pass/fail system –
three attempts
Remediation
• Six fails – all in
pipetting skills
• One-on-one
instruction/
troubleshooting
• Improved technique,
passed skills test
Here we Go Again: Boot Camp II
Increased emphasis on pipetting skills
Incorporated BLAST into grade for Introductory
Course
Reviewed feedback from faculty, students
Undergraduate Research
• Basic lab skills required for advanced molecular
techniques
• Overall improvement of skills – little need for
remedial teaching
• More time spent on
research development
and implementation
Clinical Outreach
• Discuss basic lab skills
with clinical instructors
• Review of techniques
currently used
• Skills improved – still
need emphasis on
pipetting skills
Information provided by Virginia Reyes, M.Ed., MT(ASCP)SBB
Boot Camps III +:
What we have Learned….
Some skills replaced, substituted
Continued strong emphasis on pipetting skills,
assessment
Graded component of Introductory course
Fear – spread by word of mouth – increased
practice!
Questions?