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

化学系的这个项目正在开发一个初级工作室式的实验室，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提供的协作、深入的体验正在以一种刻意的持续参与链方法为学生弥合差距，因为他们在二年级结束时从一个为期数周的综合项目过渡到在他们的第四年也就是最后一年进行的为期一年的原始研究项目。该项目通过在化学和生物化学课程中增加等温滴定量热法和Zeta电位测量，增加了学生的学习机会。通过这笔赠款购买的仪器及其允许的实验测量，为学生提供了纳米技术和生物化学方面的尖端经验，并使学生掌握了先进的技术知识和增强的科学技能。该项目是一个深思熟虑的系统计划的一部分，该计划正在为学生独立进行研究做准备。工作室实验室增加了三个学期的项目：(1)检测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)使用振动光谱，特别是拉曼光谱，分析与纳米颗粒的合成和表征相关的不同参数；以及(3)研究酶-底物对的动力学、热力学和非共价相互作用。工作室实验室方法满足了加强导师-学员关系的需求，并通过在更开放的实验室环境中实现同行互动来增强团队合作技能。该项目旨在维持和增加课程选择，事实证明，这些课程不仅在招收和留住少数族裔和/或女性学生方面是有效的，而且在鼓励学生考虑继续教育并最终在STEM学科工作方面也是有效的。该项目为高级实验室转变为工作室实验室提供了宝贵的见解，这将帮助更广泛的社区中的那些人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.