Three computer-based activities focusing on fundamentals of binding interactions are described that are powered by Desmos, freely available web-based software. The software allows the instructor to monitor the progress of each student completing the activity by privately viewing their answers in real time, to enforce class pacing by modulating…

Live cell imaging is a standard technique in experimental biology that enables the observation of isolated cells and tissue slices in real time and the testing of cellular responses to changes in buffer composition. However, most live cell imaging devices require the use of dedicated microscopes and/or specialised stage adaptors, and come at a…

In this study, we analyzed how general chemistry students generated experimental designs corresponding to general chemistry questions such as the ones typically found in general chemistry textbooks. We found that students were very successful in including experimental design aspects that were explicitly mentioned in the general chemistry…

In today's global economy, the origin of the food we eat is becoming more and more difficult to identify. Verifying the authenticity of products to protect supply chains is a complicated problem that requires a multidisciplinary approach. Chemical authentication of foodstuffs often includes a mass spectrometer detector; however, they are costly…

When learning about scientific phenomena, students are expected to "mechanistically" explain how underlying interactions produce the observable phenomenon and "conceptually" connect the observed phenomenon to canonical scientific knowledge. This paper investigates how the integration of the complementary processes of designing…

We developed a single crystal X-ray crystallography experiment based on the crystal structure of sucrose (table sugar), and a more challenging experiment using Epsom salt. Both crystals are readily available in X-ray quality crystalline form. In these experiments, students mounted a crystal on a MiTeGen loop and analyzed it using a Rigaku XtaLAB…

High-fidelity anatomical models can be produced with three-dimensional (3D) scanning techniques and as such be digitally preserved, archived, and subsequently rendered through various media. Here, a novel methodology--digital body preservation--is presented for combining and matching scan geometry with radiographic imaging. The technique…

This study builds on the increasing relevance of technology integration in higher education, specifically in artificial intelligence (AI) usage in educational contexts. Background research highlights the limited exploration of AI training in educational programs, particularly within Latin America. AI has become increasingly pivotal in educational…

We investigated the effect of short-term teaching (3 weeks) using image analysis on gymnasium/secondary school students' (ISCED3A) skills (science process skills, SPS) and knowledge using Fiji (ImageJ) software. The theoretical teaching was combined with IT-based education (measurement of the area or signal intensity on photos from scientific…

The demand for the Dongfeng Highway connecting Dongshi and Fengyuan, Taiwan, originates from a 7.3 ML earthquake disaster affecting residents' medical treatment and material transportation. The Dongfeng Highway route selection was identified as the socioscientific issues (SSI) and the Decision Factors Table and SageModeler (two representational…

Chemical solubility and equilibria are paramount for understanding everyday systems. Recent events have led to more interest by the general public in chemical equilibria that occur in drinking water systems. This presents a great opportunity to increase student interest and engagement in the more complicated aspects of chemical equilibria. Shiny…

Large language models, such as ChatGPT, have great potential to enhance learning and support teachers, but they must be used with care to tackle limitations and biases. This paper presents two easy-to-implement examples of how ChatGPT can be used in physics classrooms to foster critical thinking skills at the secondary school level. A pilot study…

Density functional theory (DFT) is indubitably the most popular and among the most successful approaches for approximately solving the many-electron Schro¨dinger equation. The level of understanding on the part of both researchers and students using DFT, however, is lacking, given the availability of black-box software. The present work addresses…

An understanding of statistical concepts is necessary for a chemist with a complete education. Here, statistical tests were taught using the R Commander and the Factoshiny packages. These packages run on R software and have a graphical user interface (GUI), which allows students to do statistical tests quickly and easily. These packages were…

Encouraging student engagement is a key aim in any educational setting, and allowing students the freedom to pursue their own methods of solving problems through independent experimentation has been shown to markedly improve this. In many contexts, however, allowing students this flexibility in their learning is hampered by constraints of the…