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A Guided Inquiry Experience Based on the Extraction Technique
For many years, organic chemistry
laboratory experiences were mostly aimed at developing mastery of
experimental techniques, while forgoing more important skills
related to logical thinking, experimental design and analysis of
results that are the basis of the scientific method. The latest
tendencies in science education indicate, however, that the
teaching-learning process should be one where students learn by
actively solving problems, not by simply being shown the correct
answer or proven pathways to solve the problems. To insure student
comprehension of the extraction technique, we have designed a guided
inquiry experience based on the aforementioned technique. The
results and limitations of this study will be presented.
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An Innovative Way to Teach Stereochemistry Using Molecular Modeling
The fast development of computer technology and software has allowed
the field of molecular modeling to become a powerful tool in
chemistry, including the academic level. In our classroom, this type
of technology is being used to enhance the learning experiences
through the visualization of three-dimensional molecular
structures. Stereochemistry is a very important topic in Organic
Chemistry. Usually, the visualization of molecules and chemical
structures in three dimensions is a particularly difficult problem
for students to overcome when the primary means of communication is
the two-dimensional world of textbooks, blackboards, and overhead
projector screens. This presentation describes an innovative way to
teach stereochemistry using the CAChe molecular modeling software.
The application of stereochemistry in the pharmaceutical industry is
also emphasized.
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Science on Wheels: Science Education Incentive for K-12 Students
The Science on Wheels (SONW) Outreach
Program promotes the interest of K-12 students of rural and urban
areas to study science through demonstration shows. The program
illustrates the use of science education using household materials
and real-life situations. The scientific curiosity that was awakened
during this experience should be held by teachers in their daily
interaction with students. As an outreach initiative, SONW provides
pre-college teachers with hands-on activities that can be
incorporated in the science curriculum. The demonstration presented
at K-12 schools includes topics such as: oxidation-reduction
reactions, acid-base reactions, specific heat, combustion process,
and synthesis of polymers, Bernoulli principle and effects of
temperature change, among others. During the past eleven years, the
program has visited more than 350 schools in Puerto Rico and
captured the interest of more than 17,000 pre-college and university
students. Undergraduate students are the facilitators that bring
university’s experiences to the schools, which help closing the gap
between college and pre-college education. Overall, the SONW program
pursues to increase, motivate and expose pre-college students to
participate in science-oriented programs and activities that serve
as a complement for their classes and personal development.
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Using Pre and Post Quizess to Identify Misconceptions in the General Organic Chemistry Course
An assessment
using pre and post quizzes was carried out last semester with the
student enrolled in the General Organic Chemistry course. The
quizzes were designed to measure student performance in previously
identified difficult objectives. A pre-quiz was administered before
a formal educational intervention, followed by a post quiz. The
instructional material used in these interventions are based on
constructivism and they were designed to facilitate the attainment
of difficult objectives. They stimulate the use of molecular models
and require the student justify their answers with words and/or
drawings. Student answers on these quizzes served to identify
underlying misconceptions, to measure the mastery of difficult
objectives and evaluate the adequacy of the instructional material.
We also found that this assessment motivated students to get
involved in the metacognition process and to work on specific
problem solving skills.
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SANABRIA, DAVID; Montes, Ingrid; Prof., UPR-RÍO PIEDRAS, Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry
The Use of Microwave Irradiation in the Synthesis of Pharmaceutical Drugs
Microwave irradiation provides a way
for flash heating, as a complement to the standard thermal heating
in chemical reactions. This technology has been employed to
drastically reduce reaction times and even modify selectivity. On
this line, we started to explore the use of a microwave oven
(household model) as a means for reducing the time of reaction for
the synthesis of pharmaceutical drugs. Our goal is to use this
technique in the academic laboratory and introduce organic chemistry
students to microwave-assisted reactions. This tool is allowing us
to further enhance some experiments developed using the guided
inquiry approach and is allowing us to design new experiments. The
results and limitations of this study will be presented.
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Development of Web-Based Laboratory Modules for Organic Chemistry for Chemistry Majors Course
The course "Organic Chemistry for
Chemistry Majors" is an intense course, which requires further
effort from the undergraduate student. In order to complement
lectures, reading and laboratory work, a web page has been designed
and maintained. The web page serves as a central resource of
information, providing study strategies, practice problems and the
key for past quizzes and exams. The site emphasizes on laboratory
work, serving as a complement to the laboratory manual. It provides
additional references on experiments as well as the MSDS for the
substances used, in order to facilitate pre-laboratory research.
Several modules on separation and purification techniques are being
developed, using animated graphics to illustrate various steps of
equipment assembly, physical characteristics of compounds and other
visual aids which will provide the student of additional knowledge
to avoid errors and accidents.
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