I TA for an astronomy lab as well as work at the library. It's decent money that helps pay for college and it works as a nice refresher for the simple stuff. Most of the students in the lab I TA for are pretty nice. Here are a few things that I think you should know about the astronomy labs. (these are not in any particular order)
1. Buy the newest Lab manual AND BRING IT TO LAB!!!. They change from year to year to make things clearer or to add/update/remove information. I don't care if your friend has an old version of the manual. Don't complain to me that you can't find the lab number we are doing or that your answer sheet is different from your partner's. Spend the $20 and get the latest version. Also don't complain to me that you: lost it, left it in your/friend's room, etc. We don't have extra lab manuals for you. It's your responsibility to bring it every time
2. Bring a calculator at all times. No I don't have any extra calculators. You were told at the beginning of the year to bring one at all times. You can go buy a cheap scientific calculator at numerous places. We even provide you with a pencil/calculator pouch with your 3 ring binder the first lab so you have a place to store it. Again it's your responsibility to come prepared for lab.
3. No I cannot give you answers. Don't ask me for them. I am pretty much told what the lab will be when I come to setup the lab. I do the lab within the hour before you show up so I can and do make mistakes. Not to mention I can get fired for giving you answers.
4. Be on time for lab. You signed up for a certain lab time. It's set in stone. It's going to be at this time once every week. You must be here for a certain number of labs or you fail the lab and subsequently the class. (it's in the syllabus that you received at the beginning of the class and at the first lab of the year). The teacher and I have announcements pertaining to the current lab that can make things more clear and things go more smoothly.
5. Don't start on the lab while the teacher or I are going over things. It's rude and re-read #4.
6. Read the lab first before you get started. The section before the answer sheets are full of useful information on how to do the lab. Most of the questions you are going to ask me are because you didn't read the lab in the first place.
7. Don't mess with the computers. They are already setup to do the lab and it could take several minutes to get them back up and running if you mess with them. That's time you could have spent working on the lab. Also see #4 & #5.
8. Don't ask me if we're going outside and the weather man is calling for rain that evening. I am not going to spend an extra 4 hrs cleaning the telescopes of water spots because you are too lazy to go the weather channel and look at the local weather. I have classes too and I like to sleep before them.
9. When we are outside on the roof/deck where the telescopes are, don't be horsing around. Each telescope costs over $3500 and we currently have 15 of them. You do the math if you can. (you should be able to on your calculator that you bring with you to every lab right?)
9.a. I have no problem filling out the paperwork of how you accidentally fell off of the 3 story roof/deck because you were goofing off and not following the teacher's or my rules.
9.b. Wear the proper clothing if we're going outside. Closed toe shoes are required (it's a school liability issue). Don't complain to me because you're freezing. I'm the guy that has to setup the telescopes in the first place so I already know it's cold.
10. I bring candy and small knick-knacks for special occasions and because I like doing nice things. This does not give you an excuse to try and walk over me. It will not be tolerated and I refer you to 9.a.
11. Do not bring food or drinks into the lab room. The teacher and I have stated this ad nauseam. The computer equipment there is expensive and other classes and lab sections use the room. If I'm not allowed to drink or have food in the room, what makes you think you can.
12. Read #5
13. Read #6
14. Re-read #6
15. Are you sure you read #6? Go read #6 again. Or better yet, here it is:
#6. Read the lab first before you get started. The section before the answer sheets are full of useful information on how to do the lab. Most of the questions you are going to ask me are because you didn't read the lab in the first place.
Thank you and I hope you enjoy your astronomy lab.
1. Buy the newest Lab manual AND BRING IT TO LAB!!!. They change from year to year to make things clearer or to add/update/remove information. I don't care if your friend has an old version of the manual. Don't complain to me that you can't find the lab number we are doing or that your answer sheet is different from your partner's. Spend the $20 and get the latest version. Also don't complain to me that you: lost it, left it in your/friend's room, etc. We don't have extra lab manuals for you. It's your responsibility to bring it every time
2. Bring a calculator at all times. No I don't have any extra calculators. You were told at the beginning of the year to bring one at all times. You can go buy a cheap scientific calculator at numerous places. We even provide you with a pencil/calculator pouch with your 3 ring binder the first lab so you have a place to store it. Again it's your responsibility to come prepared for lab.
3. No I cannot give you answers. Don't ask me for them. I am pretty much told what the lab will be when I come to setup the lab. I do the lab within the hour before you show up so I can and do make mistakes. Not to mention I can get fired for giving you answers.
4. Be on time for lab. You signed up for a certain lab time. It's set in stone. It's going to be at this time once every week. You must be here for a certain number of labs or you fail the lab and subsequently the class. (it's in the syllabus that you received at the beginning of the class and at the first lab of the year). The teacher and I have announcements pertaining to the current lab that can make things more clear and things go more smoothly.
5. Don't start on the lab while the teacher or I are going over things. It's rude and re-read #4.
6. Read the lab first before you get started. The section before the answer sheets are full of useful information on how to do the lab. Most of the questions you are going to ask me are because you didn't read the lab in the first place.
7. Don't mess with the computers. They are already setup to do the lab and it could take several minutes to get them back up and running if you mess with them. That's time you could have spent working on the lab. Also see #4 & #5.
8. Don't ask me if we're going outside and the weather man is calling for rain that evening. I am not going to spend an extra 4 hrs cleaning the telescopes of water spots because you are too lazy to go the weather channel and look at the local weather. I have classes too and I like to sleep before them.
9. When we are outside on the roof/deck where the telescopes are, don't be horsing around. Each telescope costs over $3500 and we currently have 15 of them. You do the math if you can. (you should be able to on your calculator that you bring with you to every lab right?)
9.a. I have no problem filling out the paperwork of how you accidentally fell off of the 3 story roof/deck because you were goofing off and not following the teacher's or my rules.
9.b. Wear the proper clothing if we're going outside. Closed toe shoes are required (it's a school liability issue). Don't complain to me because you're freezing. I'm the guy that has to setup the telescopes in the first place so I already know it's cold.
10. I bring candy and small knick-knacks for special occasions and because I like doing nice things. This does not give you an excuse to try and walk over me. It will not be tolerated and I refer you to 9.a.
11. Do not bring food or drinks into the lab room. The teacher and I have stated this ad nauseam. The computer equipment there is expensive and other classes and lab sections use the room. If I'm not allowed to drink or have food in the room, what makes you think you can.
12. Read #5
13. Read #6
14. Re-read #6
15. Are you sure you read #6? Go read #6 again. Or better yet, here it is:
#6. Read the lab first before you get started. The section before the answer sheets are full of useful information on how to do the lab. Most of the questions you are going to ask me are because you didn't read the lab in the first place.
Thank you and I hope you enjoy your astronomy lab.
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