Introduction of Optical Microscopy into the Chemistry Curriculum

这个项目的目的有四个：(1)在密尔斯维尔大学化学、地球科学和职业安全与卫生管理专业使用体视显微镜、偏振光显微镜和数字图像采集设备；(2)为大学教员在本科教学中使用光学显微镜和偏光显微镜提供专业发展；(3)加强宾夕法尼亚米尔斯维尔大学几个系之间的跨学科合作；以及(4)作为在化学课程中引入光学体视显微镜和偏光显微镜作为分析问题解决方案的一部分的示范课程。这个项目是与国家科学基金会在课程和课程开发(国家科学基金会-到期92-54291和96-53252)和实验室仪器(国家科学基金会-到期9153695)方面与同事们合作的直接结果，以及PI在当前国家科学基金到期补助金(9752769)上的工作。该项目在新的普通化学实验室设施内建立了六(6)个光学显微镜“站”，由一个立体显微镜和一个带光源的偏光显微镜组成。此外，还提供了彩色摄像机、基于Windows的数字成像系统和SVGA投影仪，以便将显微图像投射到教室屏幕上用于教学目的，并将其数字化、捕获和存档，以便纳入学生和教职员工的报告、出版物和演示文稿。通过该项目，五(5)名化学教师正在接受PLM和光学显微镜方面的培训，因此，光学显微镜和PLM将被引入下列化学课程：普通化学；分析化学；聚合物化学；入门和高级无机化学；环境化学；以及非理科专业的化学和艺术课程。该显微镜实验室可供地球科学系用于教授地球化学和矿物学课程。工业与技术系职业安全和卫生管理计划的教职员工和学生都可以使用这些设备。整个项目都在根据Nurrenbern和Pickering的模型(J.Chem.Ed，1987)。目前正在汇编和分发一套材料，包括实验室实验、演示、设备规格、参考材料和培训来源。

The purpose of this project is fourfold: (1) to use stereomicroscopes, polarized light microscopes and digital image capturing equipment in chemistry, earth science and occupational safety and hygiene management majors at Millersville University; (2) to provide professional development for university faculty in the use of optical and polarized light microscopy in undergraduate teaching; (3) to enhance the interdisciplinary collaboration between several departments at Millersville University of Pennsylvania; and (4) to serve as a model program for the introduction of optical stereomicroscopy and polarized light microscopy as a part of analytical problem-solving in the chemistry curriculum. This project is a direct result of the collaboration with colleagues supported through several NSF grants in both course and curriculum development (NSF-DUE 92-54291 and 96-53252) and in laboratory instrumentation (NSF-DUE 9153695), as well as the PI's work on a current NSF-DUE grant (9752769). This project establishes six (6) optical microscopy "stations", composed of a stereo microscope and a polarized light microscope with light sources, within new general chemistry lab facilities. In addition, a color video camera, a Windows-based digital imaging system and an SVGA projector, is made available so that microscopic images can be both projected onto a classroom screen for teaching purposes, as well as digitized, captured and archived for inclusion in reports, publications and presentations by students and faculty. Five (5) chemistry faculty are being trained in PLM and optical microscopy through this project, and as a result, optical microscopy and PLM are being introduced in the following chemistry courses: general chemistry; analytical chemistry; polymer chemistry; introductory and advanced inorganic chemistry; environmental chemistry; and a non-science majors course on chemistry and art. The microscopy lab is available for use by the earth science department in teaching geochemistry and mineralogy courses. Faculty and students in the occupational safety and hygiene management program in the department of industry and technology have access to the equipment.The impact of microscopy-based laboratory activities on student learning and conceptual understanding is being evaluated throughout the project in accordance with the model of Nurrenbern and Pickering, (J. Chem. Ed, 1987). A materials package including laboratory experiments, demonstrations, equipment specifications, reference materials, and sources of training is being compiled and distributed.