An inexpensive at-home quantitative analysis activity was developed for the determination of glucose in unknown samples using paper-based microfluidic devices. All of the materials and reagents for the activity fit in a small kit that was mailed to students. The only items students needed to supply were water and a smartphone. Microgram quantities…

Teaching fluorescence aims to deeply communicate light-matter interactions. The main fluorescence concepts are covered in undergraduate courses and are difficult to comprehend as the proper lighting conditions for seeing it by the naked eye are rarely found in daily life. Here, we present a lab activity to explore fluorescence using homemade…

Poinsettia ("Euphorbia pulcherrima") contains anthocyanins that dissolve in water and exhibit color changes due to changing pH. This property makes the poinsettia extract a useful acid-base indicator for pH demonstrations. When combined with common household materials, this experiment can be used as an alternative low-cost tool in…

The COVID-19 pandemic, which emerged in early 2020, forced educational institutions in Thailand to chiefly rely on online learning during the government mandated lockdown for almost two academic years. Although migration to the online format seems to suit lectures, it is inadequate for laboratory courses since students could not do the experiment…

Since the appearance of the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent stage, the changes produced in the chemistry teaching process have allowed educators to use a wide range of strategies, methodologies, and tools to promote student learning. To carry out laboratory practices, some strategies reported include the use of simulators and educational…

Educators at Mississippi State University developed an at-home, kitchen chemistry style laboratory to accompany the Survey of Organic Chemistry lecture course. The course featured 12 lab activities; eight hands-on experiences that focused primarily on important organic concepts including acid strength, extraction techniques, chromatographic…

Under the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, an interdisciplinary project about the brewing and analysis of traditional Chinese rice wine was performed at home by junior students of the chemistry major at Huanggang Normal University under the remote guidance of teachers during the spring lockdown semester of 2020. Students were exposed to the…

The closure of campuses in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic meant that scheduled practical activities for introductory chemistry students could not take place. The first practical class started prior to shutdown, and 21.5% of the students undertook the face-to-face offering. The remainder completed an online offering consisting of the same…

The goal of this study was to assess student's laboratory technique learning during online laboratories in response to the transition online caused by COVID-19. From Summer 2020 through Fall 2021 our General Chemistry 1 laboratories were completely online using at-home lab kits and 3 h weekly web conference sessions. Starting Spring 2021 select…

Describes a pilot project for the home-study component of a first-year general chemistry course at Athabasca University that uses microscaled experiments. Presents four experiments and discusses home-study versus in-lab experience. (JRH)

Presents an example of a take-home discovery-based activity that supplements the lecture component of a general chemistry course. Involves the student in chemistry exploration outside the class. Extends the context of content and experimentation into a nontraditional laboratory environment. Reports that students find the challenges useful in…

Discusses safety concerns related to independent study projects at both school and off-campus sites. Provides questions to evaluate and manage student projects and cites important procedural steps to promote student safety, enhance educational return, and limit teacher liability.