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Science Technician Recognition

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Lab Techs - we couldn't do without them!

It is fitting that Science Technician Recognition Appreciation Week just so happens to shorten to ‘STAR’ Week – because stars are exactly what our GSSC Laboratory Technicians are.

The group of three, led by Laboratory Manager, Kath Hocking, work tirelessly behind the scenes to support the College’s science department. On a day-to-day basis, the Lab Techs assist to turn ideas for science experiments into engaging and hands-on practical (pracs) lessons for our students. From researching ideas to bring the vision to life, to sourcing equipment, managing materials and chemicals to testing and set-up, the team is involved from beginning to end. Kath said what she enjoyed most about the role was the diversity.

“It is a fun job, no two days are really the same,” she said. “I love that you’re really able to explore your creative side. When teachers come to you with an idea for a prac, sometimes you really have to think outside of the box to bring their idea to life within the constraints of budget, or access to materials or equipment – also considering legislation and what we can and can’t do, we also need to be right across that.” “Other times, you test your prac and it might not go as planned so you take a different path. There’s really a lot of diversity in the role.”

The team, including Leanne Newey and Joanna Gall all come from different backgrounds with a Certificate IV and Diploma in Laboratory Techniques and a Science Degree in Pathology to add to the mix. “Although the formal qualifications are going to go a long way to assisting you in the role and understanding the scientific process and lab techniques, I think it’s also about the qualities you can bring to the role,” Kath said. “I would say a Lab Technician needs to have great organisation skills, creativity, or an ability to problem solve and good communication skills.”

Kath added that Lab Techs should also be prepared to get their hands dirty. Setting up pracs varied from chemical experiments and reaction times, to exploring the DNA process, right through to heart dissections and even using Mars Bars to simulate the Earth’s tectonic plate boundaries! “As a team, the delivery of our work is important for us as there is a flow on effect for all of our students and how they learn and engage in Science classes, particularly for our senior students who are assessed against some of these pracs,” Kath said.

In addition to this, the team is responsible for storage and safe disposal of chemicals, the stocktake and maintenance of materials and equipment, repairs, and set-up and clean-up in classrooms.
The Lab Tech team supports the department deliver anywhere up to 80 science pracs a week.