##Join the Beta program Are you interested in getting a free Oil Testing Kit? We are offering prototype lasercut versions of the new Oil Testing Kit to folks interested in helping test and refine it. Anyone can join the Beta Program, no experience required, you just need time to assemble the kit, use it and troubleshoot! **Register now! Limited kits available!** ###Responsibilities Each member of the Beta program will, **by August 2015**, be required to: * Create a profile on PublicLab.org (if you don't already have one) * Join the [plots-spectrometry list](/lists) (in the left-hand sidebar of this page!) * Post unboxing photos & tweet them with @PublicLab & #OilTestingKit! * Build and document the beta kit and sample preparation process * Run triplicate spectra of each known and unknown sample (the kit includes five labeled and five unlabeled samples) * Upload all of the spectra, tagged with "oil-testing-kit", add them to a set, and post a research note of their tests (more details on this to be posted soon) * Run a sample that you find locally. This can be anything from suspected motor oil residue on storm drain to the tar like substance you sometimes see by train tracks! * Attend two meet-ups to chat with other Beta Program members (times to be announced) In general we are seeking participants who will: * Share input and updates about their use of the kit (see [Share your work](#Share+your+work) below) * Make suggestions for improvement to the kit building process & documentation * Help to refine and expand the online documentation at the Public Lab Wiki (especially the [Oil Testing Kit page](/wiki/oil-testing-kit)) Suggestions and input will be integrated into the final release of the kit! **** **** ##Share your work Participating as a member of the Beta program means that you've volunteered to share feedback, notes, and suggestions about your use of the kit. Click here to post notes of any length, and be sure to include photos!

Suggested topics for sharing: * **Construction or setup issues** - help fix them by documenting with photo or video! * **Field reports** - pictures and report-backs from collecting oil samples outdoors * **Background** - tell the story of why you're hoping to affordably identify oil contamination * **Fixes and hacks** - did you figure out a way to improve the kit? * **Related work** - share published papers, input from colleagues, related projects ##Example post: > Hi, I'm Zaphod Beeblebrox, a member of the OTK Beta program. I just got my kit and assembled it (see [this post](#)) but wanted to post about the sample collection work we did yesterday. I'm monitoring motor oil runoff in a parking lot in my neighborhood, where I often seen sheens when it rains. So I went on a dry day (see the picture below) and... ![example](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/005/451/medium/IMG_20140714_161104.jpg) ###Alpha program Before the Beta program, we sent out about 20 prototype "alpha" kits to people around the US to give the oil test kit a try, and refine it to get ready for a bigger release. If you have one **please share what you've done with it** and post any ideas, feedback, complaints, suggestions, questions and modifications you have by using this button: