Preliminary evidence regarding the effectiveness of a participation-based, formative assessment pedagogy in the laboratory component of undergraduate science classes is presented in this paper. The formative approach to teaching lab is unique in science education given the prevailing paradigm of summative assessment via grading lab reports. The…

The discipline-based education research (DBER) report from the National Research Council (2012) highlighted the existence of a research-practice gap in science instruction in higher education and the need to identify strategies to close it. This study hypothesizes that one potential factor is instructors' access to research-based…

Core concepts can be integrated throughout lower-division science and engineering courses by using a series of related, cross-referenced laboratory experiments. Starting with butane combustion in chemistry, the authors expanded the underlying core concepts of energy transfer into laboratories designed for biology, physics, and engineering. This…

Presents an activity on liquid chromatography that demonstrates the influence of mobile phase polarity on the separation of dyes with different solubilities. (YDS)

A wonderful way to engage science students is to make them think a demonstration is not turning out the way the instructor intended. Basically, throw a little humor into teaching, and they will be hooked. Described in this article is a demonstration that uses Milk of Magnesia (MOM) as a visual and humorous method to review equilibrium chemistry…

Describes a semistructured approach to the laboratory situation in organic chemistry. (Author/PEB)

Describes an experiment designed to provide the opportunity for studying some of the parameters affecting the stability of Vitamin C in various environments, and to acquaint the student with an experimental procedure for studying simple reaction kinetics and the calculations of specific rate constants. (Author/JR)

Le Chbtelier's Principle states that, when a system at equilibrium is subjected to stress, the system will respond in such a way as to minimize the effect of the stress. Describes a lecture demonstration that illustrates shifts in the position of equilibrium caused by a variety of factors. The equilibrium mixture contains iron (III) and…

Introduces a laboratory experiment that investigates and compares the carbon monoxide content of automobile exhaust and cigarette smoke using gas chromatography techniques. (YDS)

Describes how to adopt a Science Writing Heuristic (SWH) in an introductory college chemistry laboratory to promote a more positive attitude in students and better conceptual understanding of laboratory reports. (Author/MM)

Presents a description of the development of a laboratory-oriented chemistry course and the results noticed when the course was implemented. The syllabus was considered to be highly successful. (EB)

Discusses and suggests some solutions for three problems related to chemistry laboratory management, including disappearance of teaching assistants, check in/out procedures, and slow students. (YP)