Multi-University Integration of Solid-State Chemistry and Powder X-ray Diffraction into the Undergraduate Curriculum

芝加哥地区联合学院化学部(由15所小型文科学院组成的联盟)由奥罗拉大学化学系带头，正在向本科生和K-12职前和在职教师介绍粉末X射线衍射(PXDR)仪器。该项目正在实现的四个目标是：(1)通过研讨会，向该联盟服务的大量、广泛和多样化的本科生提供为期两周、60个接触小时、4个学分、面向研究的固态/材料课程，该课程分三个不同的时间提供。(2)为任职前和在职的K-12教师举办暑期研究型讲习班，重点是将复杂的仪器应用于无机材料的合成，这些材料在催化、废物修复、替代能源或光子学方面具有潜在应用。(3)将固体化学和材料化学与PXRD仪器结合起来，在牵头机构的各级本科课程中进行整合。(4)加强高年级学生的研究训练，为高年级学生提供本科生的研究体验，以方便学生使用PXRD仪器。该计划旨在确立工作坊式、高度集中和时间密集的课程在向学生提供重要的、以研究为导向的实验室体验方面的功效，因为这是他们唯一的智力承诺。该项目还旨在激发学生对化学的热情，特别是对固态化学的热情。一个长期目标是增加进入固态化学研究生课程或被选为材料行业高资质候选人的学生数量。该工具用于支持教师指导的研究，正在导致新的实验结果以及对下一代研究生的培训。来自联盟学校的有资格参加精简格式课程的学生种类繁多，确保了受众的多样性。该项目与职前和在职教师的需求相结合，独特地提供了接触复杂仪器的机会，以刻意激发人们对化学以研究为基础的性质的热情和兴奋。该项目的课程、研讨会和方法，围绕着一个价格适中、用途广泛的工具而建立，可以作为许多其他机构采用和适应的模型。

The Chemistry Division of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (a consortium of 15 small liberal arts colleges), spearheaded by the Chemistry Department at Aurora University, is introducing Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXDR) instrumentation to undergraduate chemistry students and to K-12 pre-service and in-service teachers. The four goals the project is achieving are: (1) Delivering a two-week, 60-contact hour, 4 credit, research-oriented, solid-state/materials course, through workshops, to the large, broad and diverse undergraduate population served by the consortium, with the course being offered at three distinct times. (2) Delivering summertime research-oriented workshops for pre-service and in-service K-12 teachers that focus on complex instrumentation as applied to synthesis of inorganic materials with potential applications in catalysis, waste remediation, alternative energy, or photonics. (3) Integrating solid-state and materials chemistry coupled with the PXRD instrument across all levels of the undergraduate curriculum at the lead institution. (4) Enhancing research training of upper-division students through undergraduate research experiences built around easy access to a PXRD instrument.The project is establishing the efficacy of a workshop-style, highly-focused, and time-condensed course in providing significant, research-driven laboratory experiences to students at a time when this is their only intellectual commitment. The project also aims to motivate students to become enthusiastic about chemistry in general, and solid-state chemistry in specific. A long term goal is to increase the number of students who enter graduate programs in solid-state chemistry or who are tapped as highly qualified candidates for the materials industry. The use of the instrument in the support of faculty-mentored research is leading to new experimental findings as well as in the training of next-generation graduate students.The variety of students eligible for the condensed-format course, from the consortium schools, is ensuring a diverse audience. The coupling of the project to the needs of pre-service and in-service teachers is uniquely presenting hands-on access to sophisticated instrumentation in a deliberate attempt to engender enthusiasm and excitement about the research-based nature of chemistry. The project's courses, workshops, and approach, built around a modestly priced, widely useful instrument can serve as a model for adoptions and adaptations by many other institutions.