Level 3 BTEC Applied Science Learning Aim D
Aishah Hashmi
Unit 2 Assignment D – Review personal development of a scientific skill for laboratory work
I have been newly appointed as a technical assistant at a large chemical plant named Chemcalequip, and in order to complete my
induction period within the company I have been asked to review and evaluate my performance of the procedures and techniques. I
have been using when completing my various experiments such as titration, colorimetry, calorimetry, and chromatography. I have
also been asked to identify the key practical and personal competencies I have shown whilst developing and using these skills.
Finally, I have been asked to evaluate my performance, interpersonal skills, and professional practice. My report will be assessed
by a senior technician.
Skill Previous experience How I have developed this skill Has this skill been
transferred? (Using in
more than one learning
aim)
Making Standard solutions Yes, I have previously made a By carrying out multiple This skill has not been
standard solution experiments in unit 2, including transferred; I only used it in
chromatography, Titrations and Learning aim A
cooling curves.
Calibrating equipment No, I do not have previous By carrying out multiple This skill has been
experience of calibrating experiments in unit 2, including transferred. As, I used it in
equipment chromatography, Titrations and all 3 learning aims for unit
cooling curves. 2
Measuring and calculating No, I do not have previous By carrying out multiple This skill has not been
Rf values experience of Measuring and experiments in unit 2, including transferred; I only used it in
calculating Rf values chromatography, Titrations and Learning aim C
cooling curves.
Calculations including No, I do not have previous By carrying out multiple This skill has been
Concentration of acid and experience of Calculating experiments in unit 2, including transferred. As, I used it in
Accuracy (using mean and Accuracy (using mean and chromatography, Titrations and all 3 learning aims for unit
percentage error) percentage error) and finding cooling curves.
2
the concentration of Acid
Teamwork/Communication Yes, I have previous By carrying out multiple This skill has been
skills communication skills experiments in unit 2, including transferred. As, I used it in
chromatography, Titrations and all 3 learning aims for unit
cooling curves. 2
Health and safety Yes, I have previous Health and By carrying out multiple This skill has been
safety skills experiments in unit 2 A, B and transferred. First, I used it
C, including chromatography, in Learning aim A and then
Titrations and cooling curves. I used it in Learning aim B
and then I used it in
Learning aim C
Skill 1 Making Standard solutions
Previous experience In high school I had previously made standard solutions, as I carried out simple experiments where I
dissolved powders with water in a beaker and then mixed together the solutions.
How I have developed I developed this skill whilst carry out an experiment for unit 2 A, where I had to make a standard
this skill solution of sodium carbonate, by adding the powder to a beaker and dissolving it with dissolved
water. I have developed this skill by carrying it out multiple times.
Has this skill been This skill was transferred when I made a standard solution of sodium carbonate for my titration, for
transferred? Unit 2 A. When carrying out this skill, I made sure to accurately measure out my powder, I did this
by using a calibrated scale.
Judgement on my skill At first when making the standard solution, I made a few mistakes such as not correctly dissolving
development and my powder in the distilled water, which the science technician commented on. So, the next time I
level in relation to my was making my standard I acted on this feedback and made sure to develop on this skill, by making
peers sure that the solution had accurately been dissolved.
Overall, I thought that this skill was quite easy to complete as the method was quite straightforward,
and from my perspective my peers also found this to be fairly easy.
, My next steps of how When carrying out this experiment next time, I will try to improve this skill, by accurately measuring
to improve my skill the volume of the powder using a calibrated scale so that it is on the precise value. I will also make
sure that my solution has completely been dissolved and I will invert it multiple times to make sure
that it is homogenous, i.e., mixed thoroughly.
Skill 2 Calibrating equipment
Previous experience I had no previous knowledge or experience of this skill and how to carry it out, as the first time I ever
carried it out was in unit 2.
How I have developed I developed this skill whilst carry out experiments for unit 2 A and B, where I had to calibrate multiple
this skill pieces of equipment such as Thermometers, Balance, Pipette, Ph Probe and Colorimeter. I
developed my skillset of calibration of equipment by continuously studying the methods of how to
calibrate the various pieces of equipment and then putting this theory into practice by carrying out
the calibration multiple times.
Another way I developed this skill was by seeking guidance from my teachers and the lab
technicians, this helped me develop my practical skills and widen my knowledge. I also asked my
teacher for feedback on my performance, and this allowed me to identify the areas which I need to
improve on. Overall, I would say that my dedication to improving this skill has played a main role in
my development of this skill.
Has this skill been Yes, this skill has been transferred across all of unit 2 when carrying out the experiments for
transferred? learning aim A and B, such as making standard solution, carrying out titration and colorimetry
experiments and calibrating thermometers for cooling curves.
Judgement on my skill At first, I did not even know what the calibration of equipment was used for and how to carry it out,
development and and when I first learnt how to calibrate the various pieces of equipment, I found the method quite
level in relation to my difficult as it was quite complex, therefore I made a few silly mistakes like not correctly calibrating
peers my equipment. However, through consistent dedication and a strong commitment to improving my
knowledge and practical abilities, I persevered though and can now successfully calibrate my
equipment.
Overall, after developing this skill, I now think it is quite easy to complete as I can carry it out in a
short period of time, and from my perspective I feel that my peers also faced the same issues as me
and now can also accurately calibrate their equipment.
My next steps of how My journey for calibrating equipment is not over, as there are still many ways of which I can improve
to improve my skill my skill. To further enhance my skill of calibrating equipment, I plan to learn more about the various
other pieces of equipment that I can calibrate and broaden my knowledge further. By combining
further education, hands-on experience, and self-assessment, I am confident that I can continue to
elevate and improve my skills in calibration of equipment.
Skill 3 Measuring and calculating Rf values
Previous experience I had no previous knowledge or experience of this skill and how to carry it out, as the first time I ever
carried it out was in unit 2.
How I have developed I developed my skillset of Measuring and calculating Rf values by continuously studying the
this skill methods of how to analyse my chromatographic results and measure and calculate the Rf values. I
then put this theory into practice by carrying out the chromatography experiments, in Unit 2C where
I had to carry out multiple types of chromatography such as Paper chromatography and TLC
chromatography of plant pigments and Paper chromatography of Amino acids.
.
Another way, in which I developed this skill was by seeking guidance from my teachers and the lab
technicians, this helped me develop my practical skills and widen my knowledge. I also asked my
teacher for feedback on my performance, and this allowed me to identify the areas which I need to
improve on. Overall, I would say that my dedication to improving this skill has played a main role in
my development of this skill.
Has this skill been This skill was transferred across all of Unit 2 C and the multiple experiments I carried out, such as
transferred? the Paper chromatography and TLC chromatography of plant pigments and Paper chromatography
of Amino acids, where I had to analyse the results, I received and measure and calculate the Rf
values.
Judgement on my skill At first, I had no prior knowledge in this area of measuring and calculating the Rf values as I did not
development and even know what it was, and how to carry it out. This journey has shown me that my consistent
level in relation to my dedication and commitment to improving my knowledge and practical abilities, has allowed me to
peers adapt and grow, proving that with passion and hard work, I can thrive even in areas that were once
unfamiliar to me.
Aishah Hashmi
Unit 2 Assignment D – Review personal development of a scientific skill for laboratory work
I have been newly appointed as a technical assistant at a large chemical plant named Chemcalequip, and in order to complete my
induction period within the company I have been asked to review and evaluate my performance of the procedures and techniques. I
have been using when completing my various experiments such as titration, colorimetry, calorimetry, and chromatography. I have
also been asked to identify the key practical and personal competencies I have shown whilst developing and using these skills.
Finally, I have been asked to evaluate my performance, interpersonal skills, and professional practice. My report will be assessed
by a senior technician.
Skill Previous experience How I have developed this skill Has this skill been
transferred? (Using in
more than one learning
aim)
Making Standard solutions Yes, I have previously made a By carrying out multiple This skill has not been
standard solution experiments in unit 2, including transferred; I only used it in
chromatography, Titrations and Learning aim A
cooling curves.
Calibrating equipment No, I do not have previous By carrying out multiple This skill has been
experience of calibrating experiments in unit 2, including transferred. As, I used it in
equipment chromatography, Titrations and all 3 learning aims for unit
cooling curves. 2
Measuring and calculating No, I do not have previous By carrying out multiple This skill has not been
Rf values experience of Measuring and experiments in unit 2, including transferred; I only used it in
calculating Rf values chromatography, Titrations and Learning aim C
cooling curves.
Calculations including No, I do not have previous By carrying out multiple This skill has been
Concentration of acid and experience of Calculating experiments in unit 2, including transferred. As, I used it in
Accuracy (using mean and Accuracy (using mean and chromatography, Titrations and all 3 learning aims for unit
percentage error) percentage error) and finding cooling curves.
2
the concentration of Acid
Teamwork/Communication Yes, I have previous By carrying out multiple This skill has been
skills communication skills experiments in unit 2, including transferred. As, I used it in
chromatography, Titrations and all 3 learning aims for unit
cooling curves. 2
Health and safety Yes, I have previous Health and By carrying out multiple This skill has been
safety skills experiments in unit 2 A, B and transferred. First, I used it
C, including chromatography, in Learning aim A and then
Titrations and cooling curves. I used it in Learning aim B
and then I used it in
Learning aim C
Skill 1 Making Standard solutions
Previous experience In high school I had previously made standard solutions, as I carried out simple experiments where I
dissolved powders with water in a beaker and then mixed together the solutions.
How I have developed I developed this skill whilst carry out an experiment for unit 2 A, where I had to make a standard
this skill solution of sodium carbonate, by adding the powder to a beaker and dissolving it with dissolved
water. I have developed this skill by carrying it out multiple times.
Has this skill been This skill was transferred when I made a standard solution of sodium carbonate for my titration, for
transferred? Unit 2 A. When carrying out this skill, I made sure to accurately measure out my powder, I did this
by using a calibrated scale.
Judgement on my skill At first when making the standard solution, I made a few mistakes such as not correctly dissolving
development and my powder in the distilled water, which the science technician commented on. So, the next time I
level in relation to my was making my standard I acted on this feedback and made sure to develop on this skill, by making
peers sure that the solution had accurately been dissolved.
Overall, I thought that this skill was quite easy to complete as the method was quite straightforward,
and from my perspective my peers also found this to be fairly easy.
, My next steps of how When carrying out this experiment next time, I will try to improve this skill, by accurately measuring
to improve my skill the volume of the powder using a calibrated scale so that it is on the precise value. I will also make
sure that my solution has completely been dissolved and I will invert it multiple times to make sure
that it is homogenous, i.e., mixed thoroughly.
Skill 2 Calibrating equipment
Previous experience I had no previous knowledge or experience of this skill and how to carry it out, as the first time I ever
carried it out was in unit 2.
How I have developed I developed this skill whilst carry out experiments for unit 2 A and B, where I had to calibrate multiple
this skill pieces of equipment such as Thermometers, Balance, Pipette, Ph Probe and Colorimeter. I
developed my skillset of calibration of equipment by continuously studying the methods of how to
calibrate the various pieces of equipment and then putting this theory into practice by carrying out
the calibration multiple times.
Another way I developed this skill was by seeking guidance from my teachers and the lab
technicians, this helped me develop my practical skills and widen my knowledge. I also asked my
teacher for feedback on my performance, and this allowed me to identify the areas which I need to
improve on. Overall, I would say that my dedication to improving this skill has played a main role in
my development of this skill.
Has this skill been Yes, this skill has been transferred across all of unit 2 when carrying out the experiments for
transferred? learning aim A and B, such as making standard solution, carrying out titration and colorimetry
experiments and calibrating thermometers for cooling curves.
Judgement on my skill At first, I did not even know what the calibration of equipment was used for and how to carry it out,
development and and when I first learnt how to calibrate the various pieces of equipment, I found the method quite
level in relation to my difficult as it was quite complex, therefore I made a few silly mistakes like not correctly calibrating
peers my equipment. However, through consistent dedication and a strong commitment to improving my
knowledge and practical abilities, I persevered though and can now successfully calibrate my
equipment.
Overall, after developing this skill, I now think it is quite easy to complete as I can carry it out in a
short period of time, and from my perspective I feel that my peers also faced the same issues as me
and now can also accurately calibrate their equipment.
My next steps of how My journey for calibrating equipment is not over, as there are still many ways of which I can improve
to improve my skill my skill. To further enhance my skill of calibrating equipment, I plan to learn more about the various
other pieces of equipment that I can calibrate and broaden my knowledge further. By combining
further education, hands-on experience, and self-assessment, I am confident that I can continue to
elevate and improve my skills in calibration of equipment.
Skill 3 Measuring and calculating Rf values
Previous experience I had no previous knowledge or experience of this skill and how to carry it out, as the first time I ever
carried it out was in unit 2.
How I have developed I developed my skillset of Measuring and calculating Rf values by continuously studying the
this skill methods of how to analyse my chromatographic results and measure and calculate the Rf values. I
then put this theory into practice by carrying out the chromatography experiments, in Unit 2C where
I had to carry out multiple types of chromatography such as Paper chromatography and TLC
chromatography of plant pigments and Paper chromatography of Amino acids.
.
Another way, in which I developed this skill was by seeking guidance from my teachers and the lab
technicians, this helped me develop my practical skills and widen my knowledge. I also asked my
teacher for feedback on my performance, and this allowed me to identify the areas which I need to
improve on. Overall, I would say that my dedication to improving this skill has played a main role in
my development of this skill.
Has this skill been This skill was transferred across all of Unit 2 C and the multiple experiments I carried out, such as
transferred? the Paper chromatography and TLC chromatography of plant pigments and Paper chromatography
of Amino acids, where I had to analyse the results, I received and measure and calculate the Rf
values.
Judgement on my skill At first, I had no prior knowledge in this area of measuring and calculating the Rf values as I did not
development and even know what it was, and how to carry it out. This journey has shown me that my consistent
level in relation to my dedication and commitment to improving my knowledge and practical abilities, has allowed me to
peers adapt and grow, proving that with passion and hard work, I can thrive even in areas that were once
unfamiliar to me.
