Spectroscopy is an integral part of chemical research, and the operation of any spectroscopic instrument is critical in chemical education. This study presents a low-cost, do-it-yourself (DIY) style spectrophotometer system that can be adapted for UV--vis spectrophotometry, fluorimetry, and atomic emission spectroscopy applications. The DIY system…

Urine formation in the nephron can be a very intimidating concept to students. This straightforward activity, performed by students during the nephron lecture, can help enforce the concepts as they uncover the structures and functions involved in urine formation.

In this paper, we present findings from an exploratory qualitative study that investigated how hands-on activities can help learners think of socioscientific issues more concretely. These activities borrowed themes, such as the responsibilities of creators and limits of scientific exploration from the culturally ubiquitous Frankenstein story to…

Since ancient times, man has prepared medicines and used them in healing practices. Therefore, there has always been a great interest in the part of people in general and students in particular about medicines. The "Medicines, the Haute Couture of Pharmacy" summer camp has the objective to promote and improve the literacy in medicines…

Mastering the complexity of the nervous system is essential for education programs in physiology, anatomy, and neuroscience. Students often struggle when learning somatosensory pathways, which convey information from sensory neurons to the somatosensory cortex in the brain. Active learning activities incorporating physical models have been shown…

Understanding complex physiological processes is a cornerstone of medical education, and one such fundamental concept is the regulation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by Starling forces. Therefore, developing a physiologically sound educational model to demonstrate these forces can significantly enhance the learning experience for…

The reconstruction of two-dimensional (2D) slices to three-dimensional (3D) digital anatomical models requires technical skills and software that are becoming increasingly important to the modern anatomist, but these skills are rarely taught in undergraduate science classrooms. Furthermore, learning opportunities that allow students to…

Synthesis of (Z)-alkenes is challenging because the (E) stereoisomers are usually more stable. Energy transfer photocatalysis has emerged as an efficient strategy for (E) [right arrow] (Z) alkene isomerization. We report the development of an advanced undergraduate laboratory experiment that introduces students to contemporary organic…

Millions of ha of sodic soils exist around the world and the movement of water through these soils is most directly dictated by the concentration of Na and overall electrical conductivity of the soil, and minerology of the clay. Helping farmers, land managers, crop advisors, and students better understand why water moves or does not move in these…

Plastic recycling has gained increasing attention due to the negative impacts of improper plastic waste management and its end-of-life outcomes. Despite growing research and educational efforts on sustainability, the integration of community service into student learning experiences remains limited. To address this gap and promote sustainable…

Teaching the three-dimensional structure of saccharides has consistently been a challenging aspect of organic chemistry courses, impeding students' ability to grasp more advanced topics in biochemistry and food chemistry. In this article, we designed and developed a novel d-glucopyranose model using 3D printing technology for the first time. This…

A simple demonstration adaptable to classroom conditions is presented, which involves the preparation of raffle tickets using filter paper and the solution of selected fluorophores. With an appropriate dilution, the text written on the tickets is not visible to the naked eye; however, it becomes readable once put under a UV lamp. Besides being a…

A series of models in the Educational CAD Model Library can be used to reconstruct mechanical animation machines such as the Praxinoscope and related animation mechanisms. Hands-on experiences can be used to enhance understanding of historical invention processes and related science concepts. Foundational concepts of visual perception are…

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous materials composed of metal ions and organic ligands. These materials have garnered significant attention due to their wide-ranging applications, such as the capture of hazardous molecules, catalysis, production of value-added compounds, and detection of ions or molecules in water. Despite their immense…

In this second-semester organic chemistry lab experiment, students work collaboratively using a combination of chemical synthesis and NMR spectroscopy to investigate the diastereoselectivity associated with the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) reduction of two ketone substrates having carbonyl groups flanked by an [alpha]-chiral carbon with…