June 25, 2010 First 2 weeks

I have completed the first week of a 5-6 week journey that will transform me from a classroom teacher to a lab researcher. I will be working at Kemin Industries in Des Moines, IA as part of the enzyme fermentation team. As with most new ventures, I am nervous and excited at the same time. I am sort of familiar with being in a lab, but a little rusty and in need of some retraining. My first stop is HR to complete all the necessary paperwork and safety videos. After this I am provided a tour of the campus here at Kemin Industries and become familiar with the many projects that are going on here. (I had no idea what this place acomplishes and the lives they touch each day!) Finally, the lab where I will spend a majority of my vacation and the project I will be working on (I hope I don't mess up...everything looks so confusing and complicated!)

I have been busy learning new techniques and seeing what others are doing here. I shadowed one of the other researchers while he collected data on his project. There is alot of equipment that I haven't seen or used before that can be kind of intimidating. I have to put myself into the shoes of a new student who is nervous and remember that I must be patient as they learn the ropes. Everyone here has been great in explaining things to me as I take on the role of learner instead of teacher.

I have been familiarizing myself with the lab and the many procedures by making media for the other researchers as well as my own project, which I began working on this past Monday.

I see many applications of the 21st Century Skills in action here. The meeting yesterday allowed each researcher to present their project, where they were at and then the group voted on whether to keep funding it or not. It gave them a chance to collaboratively discuss issues and bring up new ideas to follow.