Laboratory education makes up an extensive part of natural science education at universities. To support meaningful learning during laboratory work, students should prepare by carefully studying the protocols. The aim of this study was to design and evaluate a preparative learning material that focuses on protocol steps with the design goal to…

The fundamental structure of a typical mainstream two-semester organic chemistry course, populated mostly by life science majors and taught at universities throughout the United States, has changed little since the 1970s. However, much of the research on learning in organic chemistry has been devoted to characterizing student difficulties of…

Curricular change within the chemistry curriculum is often difficult and slow, in part because there are numerous specific barriers to implementation. However, a larger issue is that the curriculum, and the institutions that it is connected with, are complex systems. In the implementation of a new green chemistry curriculum for the organic…

Green chemistry and sustainability have garnered more awareness in the chemical industry in recent years, but green chemistry classes are still not commonplace for either the undergraduate or graduate student curriculum. Additionally, many departments are seeking avenues to reach greater numbers and types of learners through online courses. To…

Recently there has been a renewed interest in the development and use of pedagogical games, as they provide an interesting approach to the appropriation of knowledge in the context of active learning. However, most didactic games fail to completely implement a cycle of reflection and action, thereby fostering mostly lower-order thinking skills and…

The history of general chemistry is one of almost constant calls for reform, yet over the past 60 years little of substance has changed. Those reforms that have been implemented are almost entirely concerned with how the course is taught, rather than what is to be learned. Here we briefly discuss the history of the general chemistry curriculum and…

There exists a sparse representation of blind and low-vision students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. This is due in part to these individuals being discouraged from pursuing STEM degrees as well as a lack of appropriate adaptive resources in upper level STEM courses and research. Mona Minkara is a rising fifth…

"Curriculum alignment projects, towards developing a need to know", presents an approach to curriculum design that could be considered truly constructive in its format. Successful completion of the project requires students to synthesize a number of concepts that make up the block's learning objectives.

States that it would be inappropriate to give in to student demands that they be taught according to their own standards, needs, and perceptions. The young must be introduced to intellectual discipline before they can appreciate its power. Outlines a curriculum design that would accomplish this goal. (GS)

Discusses the development of new curriculum materials for use in the preparation of chemical technicians in two-year community colleges and technical institutes. Indicates that the texts developed are equally suitable for the chemical part of environmental programs and medical and engineering technician curricula. (CC)

Reviews some efforts in elementary school science made since the early 1960's, including the Elementary Science Study, Science-A Process Approach, and Science Curriculum Improvement Study projects. Suggests scientists from all levels of the educational and scientific community assist the implementation of these programs. (CC)

Summarizes the history of concepts concerning the molecular nature of polymers, involving the carbon chain theory, graphic formula, polycondensation, colloidal properties, polypeptide hypothesis, secondary aggregation, and Watson-Crick model. Indicates that macromolecular science should be accommodated within the discipline of molecular science…

Reviews various aspects of the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Program at Metropolitan State College, Denver, including the historical development of the program, its curriculum, continuing education courses, and resources for the OH&S Program. (CS)

Discusses the undergraduate liberal arts chemistry curriculum of Drew University which emphasizes preparation of students either for a chemistry vocation or for medical or other science careers. Indicates that interdisciplinary training, articulation of courses to students' background, and elimination of traditional course organization are main…

Notes that criticism of the training offered by universities to future chemists is well documented. Suggests a 17-step model for the planning of a chemistry course that utilizes a competency-based training program. Explains each step and lists sample objectives. (MVL)