Management of diversity in master classroom: an increasing challenge for science education in valencian universities

Comunicació presentada a INTED2018, 12th International Technology, Education and Development Conference. (March 5-7, 2018, Valencia, Spain).Currently, many foreign students study a Master degree at the Valencian Universities. We can find students, which have immigrated to Spain in the recent years, and then have partially or fully follow the Spanish curricula (High School and/or Grade), and others which have come specifically to study the Master, attracted by the reputation of the Universities and the job and way-of-life offered by the country, and then have achieved their Grade in their countries. This has increased the diversity of the students in the classrooms, related to the ethnic origin, mother language, study practices, background and integration in the society. The present work gives an overview on how students and teacher manage the heterogeneity and diversity in a Master classroom related to chemistry. The term “diversity” is first detailed prior to discussing explicit studies. Different aspects of diversity are stated. The personal experience of the foreign students to adapt to the Spanish courses and environment was investigated. The actions taken by the lecturer to take advantage of diversity and minimize its negative effects were examined. A comparison between the academic results obtained by international and national students is given. Finally, the attention will be focused on language, study practices and background, since these dimensions are frequently discussed in the Valencian context. The implications and opportunities that offer diversity for national but also for international science research are presented

Design of the laboratory script by the students in chemistry practicals: Analysis of water

Comunicació presentada a INTED2018, 12th International Technology, Education and Development Conference. (March 5-7, 2018, Valencia, Spain).The laboratory practices during the Degree in Chemistry are currently designed so that the student must learn and execute a fully developed experimental protocol, previously written up by the professor, which contains all the information and requirements for the correct development of each laboratory session. Under these conditions, students do not need to take any initiative and, consequently, they do not put enough effort in reaching practical abilities with a well-based scientific criterion and do not try to think over the purpose of each lab operation, as well as the reason to use each material and/or each reagent. Thus, with the aim to promote a more active role of the students in their learning process and to improve their autonomy, a new laboratory practices design has been developed in this work, which follows methodologies on project-based cooperative learning: the students have been requested to elaborate themselves the laboratory script by pairs. With this innovative design, we pursue to involve the students in both elaboration and execution steps of the laboratory practicals, and then to increase their attention on them. Besides, the required bibliographic research would improve their knowledge about the studied topic and all aspects about the work at the laboratory. The practicals to-be-developed were related to the study of the physico-chemical quality of natural water, which has a high social relevance

An Innovative Project to Strengthen and Improve the Knowledge Acquisition in the Degree in Chemistry Using e-Learning Tools

Comunicació presentada a EDULEARN2018, 10th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies (July 2-4, 2018, Palma, Mallorca, Spain).The subject "Chemistry II (QU910)" is taught at first academic year (second semester) of the Degree in Chemistry at the University Jaume I. Some of its specific and general competencies are selflearning and writing and oral communication, regarding the main chemical concepts: chemical reactions, elements of the periodic table and calculations of the concentrations of the formed products and the remaining reagents in acid/base, complex, precipitation and redox reactions. We have noticed that 65% of the students have not studied any chemistry subjects (or only one) in High School or Professional Training before undertaking the Degree in Chemistry. The present project aims firstly to help these students to overcome their lack of background, secondly to compare the academic results of the students with and without previous contact with chemistry and finally, to establish actions to solve this prejudicial situation. This objective was reached by the implementation of a zero course, a course including the basic content of chemistry taught in the last years of High School, the month before the beginning of the first academic year. After the first year, students having attended chemistry before university obtained only 0.75/10 points more than the others. The Virtual Classroom, the emails and tutorial played an important role in the achievement of this zero-course

Caracterización arqueométrica de una bursa textil localizada en Augusta Emerita (Mérida, Badajoz, España)

We present some fragments of fabric from Roman times recovered in a recent excavation carried out at Mitreo domus, located in the ancient capital of Lusitania, one of the provinces into which ancient Hispania was divided (Mérida, Badajoz, Spain). In this work, we address the archaeometric, historical, and functional analysis of this interesting find, unique for its good preservation. Despite the fragmentary condition of the remains, their archaeometric characterization allowed a technological approach, suggesting hypotheses about its origin. Moreover, the results have been verified with other regional and international parallels that reinforced empirical corroboration. The characterization of this bursa or bag for coins has allowed us to reflect on the production of linen in ancient times once the analyses confirmed this raw material as support. Consequently, we hope that with the analysis of this singular finding we can contribute to deepening the knowledge of linen production in Antiquity.Se presentan unos fragmentos de tejido de época romana localizados en una excavación de reciente ejecución desarrollada en la domus del Mitreo, ubicada en la antigua capital de la Lusitania, una de las provincias en las que se dividió la antigua Hispania (Mérida, Badajoz, España). Se aprovecha este trabajo para abordar el análisis arqueométrico, histórico y funcional de este interesante hallazgo, único por su buen estado de conservación. A pesar de la situación fragmentaria de los restos, gracias a su caracterización arqueométrica, se ha podido desarrollar una aproximación tecnológica que permite abrir hipótesis sobre su procedencia. Del mismo modo, los resultados han sido corroborados con paralelos peninsulares y extrapeninsulares que han facilitado una mejor contrastación empírica. La caracterización de esta bursa o bolsa monetal nos ha posibilitado ofrecer una reflexión en torno a la producción de lino en época antigua, una vez que los análisis nos confirman esta materia prima como soporte. En definitiva, esperamos que el análisis de este singular hallazgo permita seguir profundizando en el conocimiento de la producción del lino en la Antigüedad

Study of behaviour on simulated daylight ageing of artists¿ acrylic and poly(vinyl acetate) paint films

[EN] This work proposes a multi-method approach that combines advanced microscopy (SEM/EDX, AFM) and spectroscopy (UV-vis and FTIR) techniques. This approach not only characterises the behaviour of the additives of two commercial poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and acrylic emulsion paints but also simultaneously characterises the changes in chemical composition and morphology observed in the paint films as a result of ageing due to the paints being exposed to an intense source of simulated daylight. In parallel, a series of mechanical tests were performed that correlate the chemical changes in composition and the changes observed in the films' mechanical properties. This work was a comparative study between both types of acrylic and PVAc paints. The results obtained are of great interest for the modern paint conservation field as they provide valuable information on the mid- and long-term behaviours of these synthetic paints.Financial support is gratefully acknowledged from the Spanish "I+D+I MICINN" project CTQ2008-06727-C03-01/BQU supported by ERDEF funds and from the "Generalitat Valenciana" I+D project ACOMP/2009/171 and the AP2006-3223 project ascribed to the Predoctoral Stages Programme of Universitary Researchers in Spanish Universities and Research Centres from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN). The authors wish to thank Mr. Manuel Planes i Insausti and Dr. Jose Luis Moya Lopez, the technical supervisors responsible for the Electron Microscopy Service at the Polytechnic University of Valencia.Domenech Carbo, MT.; Silva, MF.; Aura Castro, E.; Fuster López, L.; Kröner ., SU.; Martínez Bazán, ML.; Mas Barberà, X.... (2011). Study of behaviour on simulated daylight ageing of artists¿ acrylic and poly(vinyl acetate) paint films. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. 399:2921-2937. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-010-4294-3S2921293739

Revisión de la obra de Antonio Bisquert en la ciudad de Teruel a través de su análisis radiográfico y caracterización de materiales mediante SEM/EDX

The present research work, with an interdisciplinary character, focuses on a study where historical-artistic data were combined with extensive radiographic documentation and extensive stratigraphic and chemical studies using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. All this on a set of eight canvases of the artistic work`s Antonio Bisquert in the city of Teruel. These works are located in the Museum of Sacred Art of Teruel and in different churches of this area. The results show a compendium of radiographic unpublished images, which reflects the entire creative process and the genesis of the works, revealing contrasted attributions and the use of subsequent retouchings considered not original, which were executed by the same hand at the same time. All these data generate a great interest for the recognition and the development of forgotten the artist’s output.O presente trabalho de pesquisa, com claro caráter interdisciplinar, enfoca um estudo em que dados histórico-artísticos foram combinados com extensa documentação radiográfica, além de um amplo estudo estratigráfico e químico utilizando microscopia ótica e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Tudo isso num conjunto de oito telas da produção artística do pintor Antonio Bisquert na cidade de Teruel. Obras que estão localizadas tanto no Museu de Arte Sacra de Teruel, como em diferentes igrejas da mesma cidade. Tanto os resultados obtidos a partir das imagens radiográficas quanto os oferecidos pelos testes analíticos formam um compêndio sem precedentes do que se reflete em todo o processo criativo e sua gênese, revelando atribuições contrastadas e o uso de retoques subsequentes considerados não originais, que foram executados pela mesma mão ao mesmo tempo. Todos esses dados geram um grande interesse pelo reconhecimento e valorização do trabalho desse pintor esquecido.El presente trabajo de investigación, con un claro carácter interdisciplinar, se focaliza en un estudio donde se han combinado datos histórico‐artísticos junto a una extensa documentación radiográfica, más un amplio estudio estratigráfico y químico mediante Microscopía óptica y Microscopia electrónica de barrido. Todo ello sobre un conjunto de ocho lienzos de la producción artística del pintor Antonio Bisquert en la ciudad de Teruel. Las obras analizadas en este artículo se encuentran localizadas tanto en el Museo de Arte Sacro de Teruel, como en diferentes iglesias de esa misma localidad. Tanto los resultados obtenidos de las imágenes radiográficas como los que ofrecen las pruebas analíticas conforman un compendio inédito de lo que se refleja en todo el proceso creativo y su génesis, revelando atribuciones contrastadas y el empleo de posteriores retoques considerados como no originales, que fueron ejecutados por una misma mano en una misma época. Todos estos datos generan un gran interés para el reconocimiento y puesta en valor de la obra de este olvidado pintor

An evaluation of changes induced by wet cleaning treatments in the mechanical properties of paper artworks

Wet cleaning of ancient papers is a common treatment performed for the removal of degradation products, external contaminants and salts, which can promote the degradation of cellulose (i.e., hydrolysis, oxidation). In this research, the effects on the mechanical properties of paper samples caused by wet cleaning treatments were evaluated by considering the changes induced in the ultimate tensile strength, deformation at break and flexibility. For this purpose, samples were subjected to different aqueous cleaning treatments such as immersion in deionised water and the application of rigid gels of agar and gellan gum at different concentrations was carried out. Tensile tests were run, and morphological observations of paper by means of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were recorded. Contrary to the significant changes in the mechanical properties of paper samples after immersion treatment (an increase in flexibility as the elongation at break), the use of gelled systems caused slight improvement in the mechanical properties of paper (in both the ultimate tensile strength as well as in the breaking strain). Changes in the mechanical properties of paper were also correlated with slight changes in the diameter of the cellulose fibres as a consequence of the swelling action of water molecules, especially in the case of immersion treatment. Finally, the tensile tests performed on the paper samples after thermohygrometric accelerated artificial ageing (70 C and 65 % RH) demonstrated that cleaning treatments by rigid gels did not seem to accelerate any sort of paper degradation in the mid to long term

Análisis de un enterramiento con cubierta ›entelado‹ de época altoimperial en Augusta Emerita (Mérida, Badajoz)

Vorgestellt wird ein Grab aus der frühen römischen Kaiserzeit mit textilen Resten, die auf der Abdeckung befestigt waren. Es wurde in Augusta Emerita (heute: Mérida) gefunden. Es wurde eine archäologische und kontextuelle Untersuchung des Grabes sowie zu den gefundenen Materialien durchgeführt. Hinzu kamen auch eine Reihe von archäometrischen Analysen, die einen Einblick auf die Art des verwendeten Gewebes liefern und helfen, diese merkwürdige Technik besser zu verstehen.We present a grave dated in the Early Roman Empire times with remains of textiles adhered on its cover. It was located in Augusta Emerita (current Mérida). We carry out an archaeological and contextual study of the tomb as well as a research of the materials located in its deposit. In addition we have made a series of archaeometric analyzes that allow us to know the nature of the fabric used and to present an approach of the praxis of this curious practice.Presentamos una tumba datada en época altoimperial con restos textiles adheridos a su cubierta. Fue localizada en Augusta Emerita (actual Mérida). Realizamos un estudio arqueológico y contextual de la tumba así como de los materiales localizados en su depósito. Además, estas muestras se han sometido a una serie de análisis arqueométricos que permiten conocer la naturaleza del tejido usado y acercarnos a la praxis de esta curiosa práctica

Análisis de un enterramiento con cubierta ›entelado‹ de época altoimperial en Augusta Emerita (Mérida, Badajoz)

Vorgestellt wird ein Grab aus der frühen römischen Kaiserzeit mit textilen Resten, die auf der Abdeckung befestigt waren. Es wurde in Augusta Emerita (heute: Mérida) gefunden. Es wurde eine archäologische und kontextuelle Untersuchung des Grabes sowie zu den gefundenen Materialien durchgeführt. Hinzu kamen auch eine Reihe von archäometrischen Analysen, die einen Einblick auf die Art des verwendeten Gewebes liefern und helfen, diese merkwürdige Technik besser zu verstehen.We present a grave dated in the Early Roman Empire times with remains of textiles adhered on its cover. It was located in Augusta Emerita (current Mérida). We carry out an archaeological and contextual study of the tomb as well as a research of the materials located in its deposit. In addition we have made a series of archaeometric analyzes that allow us to know the nature of the fabric used and to present an approach of the praxis of this curious practice.Presentamos una tumba datada en época altoimperial con restos textiles adheridos a su cubierta. Fue localizada en Augusta Emerita (actual Mérida). Realizamos un estudio arqueológico y contextual de la tumba así como de los materiales localizados en su depósito. Además, estas muestras se han sometido a una serie de análisis arqueométricos que permiten conocer la naturaleza del tejido usado y acercarnos a la praxis de esta curiosa práctica