An active-learning approach was employed in a project for our chemistry major students on the synthesis of biodiesel (BD) from an Amazon region oil. The project, involving activities in class and in the laboratory, was given during 8 weeks of the spring semester of 2022. The students were asked about their previous contact with the synthesis and…

Enzymes, enzymatic kinetics, and enzyme inhibition are topics covered in undergraduate biochemistry textbooks, having perceptible relevance to everyday life. The experimental use of enzymes involved in basic physiologic processes may be of utmost pedagogic interest because they bring evidence on how a significant number of drugs are used to…

In the study, repair activities were planned with prospective science teachers (f=24) using broken household appliances and it was aimed to establish a relationship between such practices and science teaching during the activities. The activities, which were carried out as a single group, were carried out in collaborative groups of four. Case…

The present study investigated if the argument-driven inquiry (ADI) model with embedded explicit-reflective teaching of NOSI improved pre-service science teachers' (PSTs) comprehension of the nature of scientific inquiry (NOSI). The study employed the qualitative experiment method with 16 PSTs. The PSTs working in small groups conducted seven ADI…

In response to the great challenge that the teaching of basic sciences currently entails in the new generations of young people and seeking to awaken the interest of our students in chemistry and its areas of influence, we developed an innovative card game named "Amino-structure" which served as a key tool to implement an active learning…

Although active learning strategies are being incorporated into many higher-education STEM courses, not all students benefit from these activities to the same extent. As these types of activities are designed to engage students in their learning, differences in student engagement may explain some of the differences in learning outcomes. However,…

This communication describes an activity where upper-level chemistry students explore the determinability of rate constant values without concentration dependences (k[subscript true]) related to a solvent-ligand exchange in a transition metal carbonyl complex. By performing a series of multivariable linear regression (MVLR) analyses of…

The magnetic switch is part of common low-cost devices such as window alarms. Its operation is based on magnetic properties of ferromagnetic material. The paper describes our experience with using window alarm device in a course called 'How things work', which is elective course for first year physics majors. Specifically, we report on the…

Gender equality and women's empowerment are important issues that still need to be addressed, despite some progress in recent years. The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aim to tackle various global challenges, including the 4th (Quality Education) and 5th (Gender…

Surface chemistry is a challenging realm for most students because of its abstract nature and numerous associated mathematical equations. Herein we report a set of dedicated sequential inquiry-based learning (IBL) activities enriched with virtual laboratory learning and hands-on instructions. The activities were intended to help students grasp…

There is a growing body of research that suggests better course outcomes for instructors that incorporate active learning into their curriculum. Laboratory exercises can be used to promote active learning. The objective of this study was to develop and assess the efficacy of a gluten-free bread laboratory exercise for an undergraduate course…

The aim of this research is to examine the effects of laboratory activities based on the predict-observe-explain (POE) strategy on the understanding of photosynthesis and respiration concepts of pre-service science teachers, and their attitudes towards biology science and course and biology laboratory. Pre- and post-test designs with an…

Italian high school students carried out some activities within career guidance actions organized by the Department of Chemistry of Sapienza University (Rome) in order to promote enrollments in a chemistry Bachelor's course, thus remedying the shortage of professional chemists. Novel didactic sequences have been designed to facilitate the…

Stable isotopes in natural materials provide a powerful way to study energy flow in many systems and are widely used in fields such as archaeology, ecology, forensics, geochemistry, geology, oceanography, palaeoecology and palaeoclimatology. Based on the manner in which stable isotopes fractionate in natural systems, they allow scientists to…

This study evaluated the success or failure of using Virtual Workspace (VW) in a projectbased physics laboratory. This study uses a qualitative approach with 4E evaluation methods: educational effectiveness, ease of use, involvement, and environment. Data were collected through a questionnaire to evaluate the implementation and practical functions…