Implementing Educational Innovations Through Inquiry-based and Collaborative Experiments

化学(12)。这个项目正在使用一种现代的色谱方法，GC-MS，以促进改变本科生化学教学的方式。这一变化包括在普通化学、分析化学、环境化学和有机化学课程中使用真实世界的应用程序和基于探究的学习实验室实验。代表现实情况的环境、法医和生物医学主题被用来吸引和激励学生，以及发展解决问题和批判性思维的技能。合作实验正在开发中，将允许分析和有机化学班级的学生一起研究现实世界的问题。此外，GC-MS正被用于一项本科生研究计划，一项完善的社区推广计划，以及在夏季向处于不利地位的高中生介绍化学研究的ACS项目SEED。与当地一名高中化学教师合作开发的一个新项目也在进行中。这项计划将把高中生带到校园里，在实验室里呆一个下午，与本科生和教职员工一起参加适当的探究性实验。目前正在制定一项包括形成性和总结性内容的评价计划，以评估该方案的成功。该项目正被用来加强本科生和高中生的化学教育，这些学生将在不同的领域继续就业。该项目的研究、推广和合作方面正被用来造福妇女、少数民族和传统上在科学界代表性不足的群体。正在利用为STEM教员、当地高中和社区大学举办的讲习班以及出版物和演示文稿来传播项目成果。

Chemistry (12). This project is using the inclusion of a modern chromatographic method, GC-MS, to facilitate change the way undergraduate chemistry is taught. This change includes using real-world applications and inquiry-based learning laboratory experiments in General, Analytical, Environmental, and Organic Chemistry Courses. Environmental, forensic, and biomedical themes that represent realistic situations are being used to engage and motivate students as well as develop problem solving and critical thinking skills. Collaborative experiments are being developed that will allow students from Analytical and Organic Chemistry classes to work together in investigating real-world issues. In addition, the GC-MS is being used in an undergraduate research program, in a well-established community outreach program, and in the ACS Project SEED which introduces disadvantaged high school students to chemistry research during the summer. A new program is also being developed in cooperation with a local high school chemistry teacher. This program is bringing high school students to the campus for an afternoon in the laboratories to participate in appropriate inquiry-based experiments with undergraduate students and faculty. An evaluation plan with both formative and summative components is being developed to assess the success of the program. The project is being used to enhance the chemistry education of undergraduate and high school students who will go on to careers in a variety of fields. The research, outreach, and collaborative aspects of this project are being used to benefit women, minorities, and groups who are traditionally under represented in science. Workshops for STEM faculty, local high schools, and community colleges well as publications and presentations are being used to disseminate project results.