Spotlight on a Science Technician
We’d like to highlight the wonderful Science technicians we have at Rugby High School. They work so hard behind the scenes ensuring our Science lessons are resourced with safe, interesting and exciting practicals and demonstrations. In this issue our highlighted technician is Senior Science Technician, Mr Roantree.
1. When did you join Rugby High School and how did you get into the role of Science Technician?
I joined RHS in 2011. I have always been interested in Science and Education and a career as a school technician was a good way of doing both. I saw an advertisement online for a physics technician and applied to the school. I was short listed and invited to an interview, where we discussed my qualifications and prior experience as well as what the role involved. The moment I got home from the interview I received a phone call offering me the job.
2. What various jobs do you do in your role?
- Making the chemicals you use in practical lessons
- Setting up and clearing away equipment and demonstrations
- Safe disposal of chemicals
- A lot of washing up
- Ordering resources from suppliers and accepting deliveries
- Testing experiments to make sure they work properly in lessons
- Researching and making new teaching resources
- Managing staff
- Training teachers and technicians on how to use equipment
- Safety testing of laboratory equipment
- Maintaining the safe storage of hazardous chemicals and laboratory equipment
- Management of the radioactive sources used in Physics lessons following government regulations
- Maintaining the laboratory teaching spaces
- Setting up display boards
- Photocopying
3. Describe what a typical day might be like?
I start the day by checking my technician diary and planning out my day. Depending on what has been requested I could be preparing experiments for up to two or three classes per period. Glassware needs to be labelled, chemicals poured, powerpacks set to the right voltage, ice crushed, water baths switched on. The list changes every day; time management is an important skill for a technician to have.
Occasionally, I have to fix something that does not work, do some photocopying, or respond to something unexpected.
At the end of the lessons, I clear away the used equipment and set up the next lesson's activity. Chemicals then need to be put away or safely disposed of, glassware needs to be washed and equipment put away.
When time allows I get to play… I mean undertake some highly technical scientific research and development, and trial experiments that do not work well in lessons to see if we can improve them or try out some new experiments we have discovered online.
At the end of the day, I clear up and make the labs safe, and make sure everything is locked up before I leave.
4. Do you receive ongoing training and if so, what?
Technicians often go on training courses to boost our technical skills in preparing Science lessons so that we better support the department. These tend to include practical experience along with sharing tips and tricks to make experiments better and easier to set up and run. They also keep us up to date with the latest safety guidance.
I myself have been on courses in Prep room management, supporting GCSE physics lessons, Radiation protection, Technicians as demonstrators, Microbiology and Microscope maintenance. I have also attended a few technician conferences that are a mix of everything.
5. What is your favourite part of your job?
Trying out new experiments and making new equipment, the real highlight is seeing them get used in lessons, it makes me feel that I have contributed something meaningful that will positively impact the next generation of great scientists, whether they be doctors, engineers or future technicians.
News from Mr Grady
