Targeted Infusion Project: Infusing Inquiry-Based Green Chemistry into Undergraduate Laboratory Courses via Silver Recycling in a Closed Loop, Multi-course Process

历史黑人学院和大学本科项目(HBCU-UP)通过有针对性的灌输项目，支持基于证据的创新模式和方法的开发、实施和研究，以改善HBCU本科生的准备和成功，使他们能够攻读STEM研究生课程和/或职业。塔斯基吉大学的这个项目旨在通过指导性探究教学方法、增加新的仪器和绿色化学的现实应用来改善本科生的化学体验。拟议的计划包括将化学概念和绿色化学方法与实践研究体验联系起来，这将激发学生的意识和对科学职业的追求。学生将接触到绿色化学、回收利用和可持续发展等主要主题，以及它们对世界的影响。由于化学是塔斯基吉大学四所学院的专业服务系，拟议中的活动强调适当的废物处理、环境影响和绿色化学原则不仅将产生广泛的制度影响，而且将对学生为全球STEM工作队伍做好准备产生重大影响。该计划的总体目标是通过三项倡议改善塔斯基吉大学的化学实验室课程和环境：1)以指导性探究模式进行教学的专业发展活动；2)将绿色化学原则纳入整个化学实验室课程；以及3)增加学生动手使用仪器的机会。这些目标将通过开发几个指导性探究实验来实现，这些实验从普通化学实验室的废流开始。普通化学实验室的银盐废料将由分析化学实验室的学生收集和提纯。提纯的银盐将在普通化学中重复使用，并在有机化学实验室合成中用作催化剂。纳米技术专业的学生将使用回收的银来合成银纳米颗粒，并研究其生物活性。这些银纳米粒子将被用于生物化学实验室，以展示其抗菌性能。因此，该项目将是一个涉及该机构各级化学实验室的闭环过程。拟议活动的两大好处包括实验组合的多样化和减少实验室废物。

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) through Targeted Infusion Projects supports the development, implementation, and study of evidence-based innovative models and approaches for improving the preparation and success of HBCU undergraduate students so that they may pursue STEM graduate programs and/or careers. The project at Tuskegee University seeks to improve the undergraduate chemistry experience through guided inquiry pedagogical methods, addition of new instrumentation and real-world application of green chemistry. The proposed program includes linking chemistry concepts and green chemical methods to hands-on research experiences that will stimulate students' awareness and the pursuit of scientific careers. Students will be exposed to overarching themes of green chemistry, recycling, and sustainability, as well as their impact on the world. Since Chemistry is a service department for majors in four colleges at Tuskegee University, the proposed activities' emphasis on proper waste disposal, environmental impacts, and green chemistry principles will not only have a broad institutional impact, but will have a major impact on preparing students for a global STEM workforce.The overall goal of the program is to improve Tuskegee University's chemistry laboratory curriculum and the environment through three initiatives: 1) professional development activities for teaching with a guided inquiry-based model; 2) inclusion of Green Chemistry principles throughout the chemistry laboratory curriculum; and 3) increased student hands-on access to instrumentation. The goals will be accomplished through the development of several Guided Inquiry experiments that begin from the waste stream of the general chemistry laboratory. Silver salt waste from general chemistry laboratory will be collected and purified by analytical chemistry laboratory students. The purified silver salts will be reused in general chemistry and used as catalysts in organic chemistry laboratory synthesis. Students in nanotechnology will use the recycled silver to synthesize silver nanoparticles and investigate their biological activities. These silver nanoparticles will be utilized in the biochemistry laboratories to demonstrate their antimicrobial properties. Thus, the project will be a closed loop process that involves various levels of the institution's chemistry laboratories. Two significant benefits of the proposed activity include diversification of the experiment portfolio and the reduction of laboratory waste.