The Study of Chemistry by the Guided Inquiry Method Using Microcomputer Based Laboratories

该提案将允许俾斯麦州立学院（Bismarck State College），一所服务于北达科他州西南象象区的社区学院，通过在实验室中引入引导探究性教学方法，使其化学课程现代化。通过购买科学和计算设备，BSC将能够将计算机接口设备集成到其化学实验室中。这将为BSC提供以下机会：(1)通过引入指导性探究性实验室，为学生提供当前的技术，这些实验室将包括计算数据获取和分析的实践经验。(2)培养具有与四年制学院和大学相似实验室经验的学生。(3)提高学生进入劳动力市场的技术素养。(4)为约20名地区高中教师举办为期四天的讲习班。(5)为学生提供设计能说明理论的实验的机会。由于普通化学、有机化学和生物化学课程的变化，每年大约有800名学生将能够设计实验和操纵变量，从而有机会观察理论与实践之间的关系。此外，他们将学习由专业化学家实践的化学。这将帮助学生在转到四年制大学或进入职场时更成功地竞争。大约20名高中科学教师将有机会通过参加BSC的夏季研讨会来体验这些技术。这些老师每年将反过来影响至少200名高中化学学生。这门以探究为基础的指导性课程的学术成就将被评估。研究结果将在会议上、通过专业期刊的出版物和在互联网上传播。评估将包括调查学生对以引导探究为基础的计算机界面实验室的反应，并让他们参加美国化学学会的标准化测试。参加BSC暑期工作坊的高中教师将填写评估表格。转学机构的教师和雇主也将完成调查表格，以评估学生的成功程度。

This proposal will allow Bismarck State College, a community college serving the southwest quadrant of North Dakota, an opportunity to modernize its chemistry curriculum by introducing guided inquiry-based instructional methods into laboratories. By purchasing scientific and computing equipment, BSC will be able to integrate computer-interfaced equipment into its chemistry labs. This will allow BSC the following opportunities: (1) To provide students with current technology by introducing guided inquiry-based labs that will include practical experience in computational data acquisition and analysis. (2) To prepare students with similar laboratory experiences as those conducted at four-year colleges and universities. (3) To improve the technical literacy of students entering the workforce. (4) To conduct a four-day workshop for approximately 20 area high school teachers. (5) To provide students with opportunities to design experiments that illustrate theory. As a result of curriculum changes in general chemistry, organic, and biochemistry, about 800 students annually will be able to design experiments and manipulate variables allowing an opportunity to observe the relationships between theory and practice. In addition, they will be studying chemistry as practiced by professional chemists. This will help students compete more successfully when they transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. Approximately 20 high school science teachers will have an opportunity to experience these technologies by participating in BSC's summer workshops. These teachers will in turn influence at least 200 high school chemistry students each year.The academic achievements of this guided inquiry-based curriculum will be assessed. The results will be disseminated at conferences, through publications in professional journals and over the Internet.Assessment will include surveying students for their reactions to guided inquiry-based, computerinterfaced labs, and giving them the American Chemical S ociety's standardized test. High school teachers participating in BSC's summer workshops will complete evaluation forms. Faculty at transfer institutions and employers will also complete survey forms to assess students' level of success.