Enhancing General Chemistry Labs to Construct Engaging, Colorful Experiments

General Chemistry I (CHEM 121) sets the foundation for the chemistry education of Valparaiso students; therefore, it is critical that the CHEM 121 lecture and laboratory courses provide rich learning experiences that are meaningful, focused and both academically and visually engaging. In this project, two new or significantly revised laboratory experiments were incorporated into the curriculum during the Spring 2018 semester for the first time: 1) The Limiting Reagent in Action: Determining the Formula of a Precipitate and 2) The Analysis of Microplastic Pollution in Local Soil. The common goal of both labs were to increase student understanding of challenging general chemistry concepts by enhancing student engagement. In the case of Experiment 1, this was accomplished by improving the visual appeal of the reactions employed; in the case of Experiment 2, this was accomplished by directly connecting course material to study real-world pollution problems facing NW Indiana. Results of this experimentation and its impact on student learning in CHEM 121 are described

Enhancing General Chemistry Labs to Construct Engaging, Colorful Experiments

General Chemistry I (CHEM 121) sets the foundation for the chemistry education of Valparaiso students; therefore, it is critical that the CHEM 121 lecture and laboratory courses provide rich learning experiences that are meaningful, focused and both academically and visually engaging. In this project, two new or significantly revised laboratory experiments were incorporated into the curriculum during the Spring 2018 semester for the first time: 1) The Limiting Reagent in Action: Determining the Formula of a Precipitate and 2) The Analysis of Microplastic Pollution in Local Soil. The common goal of both labs were to increase student understanding of challenging general chemistry concepts by enhancing student engagement. In the case of Experiment 1, this was accomplished by improving the visual appeal of the reactions employed; in the case of Experiment 2, this was accomplished by directly connecting course material to study real-world pollution problems facing NW Indiana. Results of this experimentation and its impact on student learning in CHEM 121 are described

Detecting Microplastics in Soil and Sediment in an Undergraduate Environmental Chemistry Laboratory Experiment That Promotes Skill Building and Encourages Environmental Awareness

Environmental pollution is both a worldwide and a local issue, and microplastic pollution in particular is receiving increased attention due to its prevalence and bioaccumulation potential affecting the food chain. This laboratory experiment uses current, research-based methods such that the students can determine the extent of microplastic pollution in local soil samples. This laboratory experiment can be used as either a 2 or 3 week mini-research-project for first-year undergraduate students in either an introductory chemistry course for nonmajors or a general chemistry course for majors. The laboratory experiment gives students exposure to sieving, density gradients, and exposure to the Fenton reagent to isolate microplastics from soil samples, which are then analyzed and quantified under stereomicroscope magnification. Several general chemistry topics common to most first-year chemistry courses (density and solution concentration calculations, etc.) are emphasized during the laboratory experiment. From postexperiment assessments, students showed a marked improvement in select skill sets and knowledge of the microplastic pollution problem, and some students recognized their misconceptions concerning research following the completion of this laboratory experiment