Going Further: An Integrative Approach to a more Research-oriented, Exploratory Junior-level Lab

更进一步：采用综合方法打造更加以研究为导向、更具探索性的初级实验室

• 批准号: 1140008
• 负责人: Caryn Seney
• 金额: $ 17.45万
• 依托单位: Mercer University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-07-15 至 2015-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1140008&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Going; Further; Integrative; Approach; more

The project in the Department of Chemistry is developing a junior-level, studio-style laboratory to replace traditional labs associated with Physical Chemistry I and II, Instrumental Analysis, and Inorganic Chemistry. The collaborative, in-depth experience being provided by this guided inquiry approach is bridging the gap, in a deliberate continuous chain-of-engagement method, for students as they transition from a multi-week synthesis project at the end of their sophomore year to the year-long original research project conducted in their fourth and final year of study. The project is increasing student learning opportunities by adding isothermal titration calorimetry and zeta-potential measurements to both the Chemistry and Biochemstry curricula. The instruments being purchased through this grant and the experimental measurements they allow, are providing students with cutting edge experiences in nanotechnology and in biochemistry, and are equipping students with advanced technological understanding and enhanced scientific skills. The project is a part of a deliberate and systematic plan that is preparing students to perform research independently. The three semester long projects being added to the studio lab are: (1) examining the formation reaction dynamics, stability and properties of colloidal zinc sulfide and suspended polypyrrole; (2) using vibrational spectroscopy, particularly Raman, to analyze the different parameters related to the synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles; and (3) an examination of the kinetics, thermodynamics, and non-covalent interactions for an enzyme-substrate pair.The studio laboratory approach is addressing a need for enhanced mentor-mentee relationship and is bolstering team working skills by enabling peer interactions in a more-open lab environment. The project is an intentional effort in sustaining and growing curricular choices that have proven effective in not only recruiting and retaining minority and/or women students, but also in encouraging students to consider further education and, ultimately, working in the STEM disciplines. The project is providing valuable insight into the conversion of advanced labs into studio-labs that will aid those in the broader community as they seek to implement similar conversions.

化学系的项目正在开发一个初级的工作室式实验室，以取代与物理化学I和II，仪器分析和无机化学相关的传统实验室。 这种引导式探究方法提供的协作，深入的经验正在弥合差距，在一个故意的连续链的参与方法，为学生，因为他们从一个多周的综合项目在他们的大二年底过渡到为期一年的原始研究项目在他们的研究的第四年和最后一年进行。 该项目通过在化学和生物化学课程中增加等温滴定量热法和zeta电位测量来增加学生的学习机会。 通过该补助金购买的仪器及其允许的实验测量，为学生提供纳米技术和生物化学方面的尖端经验，并为学生提供先进的技术理解和增强的科学技能。 该项目是一个深思熟虑的和系统的计划，是准备学生独立进行研究的一部分。 本实验室新增的三个学期专题为：（1）研究胶体硫化锌和悬浮聚吡咯的形成反应动力学、稳定性和性质;（2）利用振动光谱，特别是拉曼光谱，分析与纳米粒子合成和表征相关的不同参数;以及（3）动力学，热力学，和非共价相互作用的酶底物对。工作室实验室的方法是解决需要加强导师-学员关系，并通过在更开放的实验室环境中实现同行互动来增强团队工作技能。 该项目是一项有意识的努力，旨在维持和增加课程选择，事实证明，这些课程选择不仅在招募和留住少数民族和/或女性学生方面有效，而且在鼓励学生考虑继续教育并最终在STEM学科工作方面也有效。 该项目为高级实验室转换为工作室实验室提供了宝贵的见解，这将有助于更广泛的社区中寻求实现类似转换的人。