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

化学系的项目是建立一个初级的、工作室式的实验室，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。这种指导性探究方法所提供的合作、深入的体验，以一种刻意的持续参与链的方式，为学生们从大二结束时的多周综合项目过渡到第四年（也是最后一年）进行的为期一年的原创研究项目，弥合了差距。该项目通过在化学和生物化学课程中加入等温滴定量热法和ζ电位测量法，增加了学生的学习机会。通过这笔拨款购买的仪器及其实验测量为学生提供了纳米技术和生物化学方面的前沿经验，并使学生掌握了先进的技术知识和更高的科学技能。该项目是一个经过深思熟虑的系统计划的一部分，旨在培养学生独立进行研究的能力。工作室实验室增加了三个学期的项目：(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)利用振动光谱学，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；(3)酶-底物对的动力学、热力学和非共价相互作用的研究。工作室实验室的方法解决了加强师徒关系的需要，并通过在更开放的实验室环境中实现同伴互动来增强团队工作技能。该项目旨在维持和增加课程选择，这些课程选择不仅有效地招募和留住少数民族和/或女性学生，而且还鼓励学生考虑继续接受教育，并最终在STEM学科中工作。该项目为将高级实验室转变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寻求实施类似的转换。

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.