by Shona Klocke

Created on: March 27, 2009

Few science students go straight from study to performing their own research - at some point in their career, they're going to have to load assay plates, assemble complicated equipment, or handle small animals. The majority of graduates first find employment either as research assistants on projects led by senior scientists, or in non-research laboratories providing routine services such as pathology or quality assurance. Whilst an understanding of scientific theory is still essential to such roles, is modern science education equipping students with all of the skills they need to go on to become valuable and productive employees?

I have seen the deficiency in manual and practical skills amongst science students first hand. One of my second year college practicals was on DNA sequencing, and involved using a pipette to load the DNA solution into small slots in a gel plate. The slightest slip of the hand could result in loading the solution into the wrong slot, discharging it into the surrounding solution, or dislodging or puncturing the gel plate, all of which rendered the results useless. I found it relatively easy, but was amongst only a handful of students who could perform the task successfully. On asking around, most of the successful students attributed their steady-handedness to music, art, or other pursuits requiring a delicate touch. My own ability came from years of needlework, not from anything I learnt in science class.

All the theory in the world will not help perform an experiment if the student does not have the fine motor skills to successfully manipulate the components. These skills are not taught in 'higher' science courses, being seen as the domain of lower-level laboratory skills courses, even though they may be feeding graduates into the same entry-level roles. My own experience tells me that students do not just 'pick up' these skills in the course of their studies, and that there needs to be more focus on fine motor skills in science education. Even just a few sessions on technique could make all the difference.

Manual dexterity is an essential part of working in a laboratory, and employers don't want to waste time bringing new people up to an acceptable level. Ensuring that students have the technique and ability to correctly use laboratory equipment would go a long way towards increasing the employability of students once they enter the workforce.

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