Replication is vital for work to be considered scientific. Two things that can’t be replicated in a conventional chemistry classroom setting? The skills and experience gained on the Chemistry Crew.

This crew is essential for the operation of the chemistry program; students and faculty work closely together to set up labs for experiments, develop new experiments, purchase chemicals and supplies, maintain storage rooms and the inventory system, monitor laboratory safety, administer the hazardous waste programs, tutor students, grade lab reports, and maintain the science labs and buildings.

Why wait until graduate school to learn the ins and outs of a collegiate chemistry program?

Student in chemistry lab

I love how intellectually demanding my work on chemistry crew is, how challenging it is to work behind the scenes making solutions and setting up experiments, and how rewarding it is to constantly deepen my understanding as I tutor students in introductory concepts. My crew gives me graduate-level skills and knowledge, like how to diagnose a problem with a broken instrument, repair it, and maintain it once it’s back in working order.

Rebecca Hirsch

I think the most important thing that I have learned from working on Chemistry Crew has not been the skills I have picked up for cleaning, grading, or even for being a teacher’s assistant, but rather that if you go into something thinking that you will hate it, even if it is a wonderful experience, you won’t learn or grow. I thought I would hate my crew, but I love and enjoy it, even with the hard work I do sometimes.

Bella Weeks

Test Tubes

What You’ll Learn

You’ll spend years working alongside your peers with the mentorship of your supervisors.  Part of the experience of work at Warren Wilson is guided critical reflection, which helps ensure that you achieve both your own educational goals as well as our Common Learning Outcomes. These intentional learning outcomes distinguish our Work Program, giving it focus and relevancy that set it apart from a federal work-study or your average part-time job. 

Our Common Learning Outcomes:

  • Professionalism & Work Ethic: accountability, effective work habits, punctuality, dependability, time management, integrity, and commitment to the well-being of the community.
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: working with available resources to creatively address issues and solve problems, and gaining confidence to make decisions.
  • Communication: the ability to convey and receive information effectively with intentionality, honesty, and confidence in both speech and writing.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: actively collaborate with peers to achieve common goals, Distribute labor fairly, and hold each other accountable as committed members of a group.
  • Civic Identity: understanding your active influence within the community and how your decisions directly impact the work around you.

In addition to our Common Learning Outcomes, each crew in the Work Program identifies crew-specific goals for learning and performance. These are reviewed with you each semester. Your crew-specific learning goals outline skills and abilities your supervisor will teach you during the semester. 

Petri Dish