Directed Inquiry in a Large General Chemistry Laboratory

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This project is introducing infrared spectroscopy and microscopy as key elements of the freshman laboratory experience, in addition to the current means of investigation. These are powerful but uncomplicated tools applicable to study of many kinds of samples. Infrared is also pedagogically valuable for illustrating molecular dynamism and many aspects of bonding. Microscopy contributes a favorable esthetic element to the student experience of chemistry. This project is addressing student perceptions that chemistry, at least as taught in introductory courses, has little or nothing to do with their lives, by focusing the freshman chemistry laboratory program on working with "real world" materials such as analgesics, household cleaning agents, plastics, textile fibers, vitamins, and the like. This project harnesses the resulting interest by providing opportunities for students, working in groups, to plan and carry out small-scale investigations of such materials in a "directed-inquiry" mode.