Adapting Active-Learning Methods for a Chemistry Curriculum

化学(12)本项目采用两种教学方法，在尤金·朗学院创建了一门新的化学课程，面向那些追求需要对科学和数量有很强理解的职业，但不是传统的科学或工程学科的学生。该项目面向在不同领域寻求职业生涯的学生，如环境和健康政策与法律、遗传学咨询、科学新闻和K-12科学教育。调整后的教学方法，综合讲课和实验室和化学连接，包括主动学习方法，如情景学习、讨论、基于探究的实验、解决问题和小组活动。该项目的前提是，这两种方法都非常适合学生群体，他们需要理解上下文中的化学，参与保持他们兴趣的活动，并将他们纳入学习过程。虽然目标学生有学习科学的动机，但许多人没有特别强的科学和数学背景，也没有参加传统化学课程的倾向。正在开发的课程包括四门新课程：入门课程为我们身边的化学I和II；以及两门中级课程，环境化学和纳米技术，这两门课程每年交替。这些课程包括实验和主动学习活动，利用为此目的选择的仪器和材料。该项目预计将实现以下几个目标：(1)为那些要求对科学和数量有很强理解但不是传统的科学或工程学科的学生创建一个多年化学示范课程；(2)通过一个仔细的评估和评估部分，评价课程的成功；(3)向更广泛的社区传播项目的成果。智力价值：该项目采用了以研究支持的教学方法为基础的方法，成功地让学生参与到学习过程中来，并增强了概念和科学思维。这个项目涉及一群对科学有不同兴趣的学生，他们对不同于传统的科学和工程职业的职业道路感兴趣。因此，预计这个项目的成果将有助于有效地教育非理科专业的学生理解基础科学概念，从而认识到科学在当今社会中的作用。广泛的影响：正如报告和研究指出的那样，所有本科生的教育都将受益于对当今社会面临的问题的科学理解水平。正在制定的课程旨在实现这一目标，这一项目的成功实施可以作为实现这一目标的方式的典范。尤金朗学院的学生群体中约有70%是女性，11%是代表不足的少数族裔，该项目将涉及不同的本科生群体。

Chemistry (12) This project adapts two teaching methodologies to create a new chemistry curriculum at Eugene Lang College for students pursuing careers that require strong scientific and quantitative understanding, but are not traditional science or engineering disciplines. The project targets students pursuing careers in diverse fields such as environmental and health policy and law, genetics counseling, science journalism, and K-12 science education. The adapted teaching methodologies, Integrated Lecture and Lab and ChemConnections, incorporate active-learning methods such as contextual learning, discussions, inquiry-based experiments, problem-solving, and group activities. It is a premise of the project that both methodologies are ideally suited for the student body, which needs to understand the chemistry in context, be engaged in activities that sustain their interest, and which include them in the learning process. While the targeted students are motivated to learn science, many do not have particularly strong science and math backgrounds or the inclination to enroll in traditional chemistry classes. The curriculum being developed consists of four new courses: Chemistry Around Us I and II for the introductory level; and two intermediate level courses, Chemistry of Environment and Nanotechnology, which alternate every year. The courses incorporate experiments and active-learning activities that make use of instrumentation and materials selected for that purpose. The project is expected to accomplish several objectives: (1) to create a model multi-year chemistry curriculum for students pursuing careers that require strong scientific and quantitative understanding but are not traditional science or engineering disciplines; (2) evaluation of the success of the curriculum through use of a careful evaluation and assessment component; and (3) dissemination of the project's accomplishments to the broader community. Intellectual Merit:The project adapts methodologies based on teaching methods supported byresearch as being successful in engaging students and involving them in the learning process, and enhancing conceptual and scientific thinking. This project involves a student body with diverse interests in science, and interested in career paths that are not traditional science and engineering careers. It is therefore expected that results of this project will contribute to the body of knowledge of how to effectively educate non-science majors in understanding fundamental science concepts towards appreciating the role of science in today's society.Broader Impacts:As reports and studies have pointed out, the education of all undergraduates would benefit from a level of scientific understanding of issues facing today's society. The curriculum being developed aims to achieve this, and a successful implementation of this project can serve as a model for a way of achieving this goal. With a student body at Eugene Lang College comprising about 70% women and 11% underrepresented minorities, the project will involve a diverse group of undergraduates.