A colleague recently told me that she teaches at an institution where accidental lab breakages are charged directly to the responsible student’s account. I was surprised to learn that many high schools and colleges around the world have similar policies. Flashing back to all the test tubes and microscope cover slips I broke as a novice, I thought about how these replacement costs must pile up with each incoming batch of nervous students.
Lab training is not only essential for students, but is also an ongoing part of a scientist’s career—whether mastering a new technique, updating a protocol, or ensuring safety compliance. But training is often expensive and time-consuming, even for experienced scientists.