Development of a Materials-Oriented General Chemistry Course

一个由24名主要化学研究人员和教师组成的特别委员会正在通过编写“普通化学的材料化学伴侣”来发展一种以材料为导向的化学方法。《指南》包括课文、问题集、模型包、软件、录像带、示范和实验室实验，计划由美国化学学会于1993年出版。“同伴”将演示如何几乎每一个主题通常涵盖在化学入门课程可以说明固体，如聚合物，半导体，金属，超导体和陶瓷。该项目既注重创新——完成“教材”的材料，也注重变革——实施一项将材料化学纳入化学导论课程的国家战略。实现变革的战略包括在二十多个志愿大学考点（超过15,000名学生）对“伴侣”进行全国测试；开发基于“同伴”的模块，并将其用于大学和大学预科教师的讲习班；以及对教学材料的批判性评价。“同伴”和配套活动将重振普通化学课程，提高学生和教师的科学素养，增加选择从事化学家、化学教师、科学家和工程师职业的高素质学生的数量和多样性。

A materials-oriented approach to chemistry is being developed through the preparation of "A Materials Chemistry Companion to General Chemistry", by an ad hoc committee of two dozen leading chemistry researchers and teachers. Consisting of text, problem sets, model kits, software, videotapes, demonstration and laboratory experiments, the "Companion" is scheduled for publication by the American Chemical Society in 1993. The "Companion" will demonstrate how virtually every topic typically covered in introductory chemistry courses can be illustrated with solids such as polymers, semiconductors, metals, superconductors, and ceramics. The project focuses both on innovation - the completion of material for the "Companion" - and on change - the implementation of a national strategy for assimilating materials chemistry into introductory chemistry courses. Strategies for effecting change include national testing of the "Companion" at over two dozen volunteering college test sites (more than 15,000 students); development of modules based on the "Companion" and their use in workshops for college and pre-college teachers; and critical evaluation of the instructional materials. The "Companion" and supporting activities will revitalize general chemistry courses, enhance the scientific literacy of students and teachers, and increase the number and diversity of high-quality students electing to pursue careers as chemists, chemistry teachers, scientists and engineers.