The ability to visualize chemical processes can be an asset in a teaching laboratory. Despite the advances in laboratory technology, apparatuses used in the teaching of simple thermodynamics concepts, such as exothermic/endothermic reactions, historically remain unchanged and can benefit from a fresh perspective. The recent incorporation of…

This paper revisits the tie-dyeing process through a bioinspired and safer alternative to nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S[subscript N]Ar) reactions for an introductory organic chemistry laboratory. The simple and straightforward experiment provides students with an opportunity to gain practical experience in conducting a chemical reaction in…

We describe a paper-based microfluidic device for iron(III) assay in an applied instrumental analysis laboratory. Simple and convenient devices were fabricated by the students using patterning of filter paper to investigate three different procedures: drawing a boundary with eyeliner or wax pen; drawing a boundary with waterproof permanent marker…

A set of visualizations developed for the purpose of explaining solid state lattice structures is presented in this paper. The visualizations provide students with the option to view stacking patterns, extended structures, and individual unit cells for simple, body-centered and face-centered cubic, and hexagonal close-packed structures.…

The importance of developing and assessing student critical thinking at university can be seen through its inclusion as a graduate attribute for universities and from research highlighting the value employers, educators and students place on demonstrating critical thinking skills. Critical thinking skills are seldom explicitly assessed at…

This paper describes a reading assignment that resulted in students completing 80-90% of the assigned reading in a content-heavy science course taught in a flipped format. Students reported almost unanimously that the assignment was valuable in helping them learn the material, and a majority reported that other professors should adopt a similar…

The Fourier transformation (FT) is a mathematical process frequently encountered by chemistry students. However, it remains an automated background process perceived by many students as difficult to understand. In this paper we present a simple open-source web application, which can help students to understand the basics of the FT applied to…

With calls to reassess higher education teaching methods, active learning practices have quickly become a popular alternative to traditional lectures, especially in STEM courses that traditionally rely heavily on large-lecture formats. In this regard, active learning environments stand to better prepare students for life after college; however,…

While a conception of science as value free has been dominant since Max Weber defended it in the nineteenth century, recent years have witnessed an emerging consensus that science is not -- and cannot be -- completely free of values. Which values may legitimately influence science, and in which ways, is currently a topic of heated debate in…

Attracting more students to the geosciences is imperative. We have an excellent opportunity to model an inclusive community, with hundreds of thousands of students passing through introductory college courses each year. A previous study documented gender and racial bias in physical geology textbooks. Six texts were reexamined to determine any…

The study aims to present the development of education in North Macedonia from the country's independence to the present day, as documented in several national reports and other official documents. The focus is on development and changes in chemistry education throughout the years of primary, secondary and higher education. Particular attention is…

Understanding resonance is essential to predict chemical reactivity and explain reaction mechanisms. Despite its importance in the organic curriculum, few studies have explored students' difficulties with this concept and faculty's instructional approaches to teaching it. The goals of this study are to address this gap in the literature by (1)…

Dialogue is a critical component of teaching, especially when considering it from a sociocultural theory of learning. An instructor's knowledge of the subject matter is critical, but not sufficient. The ability to verbally articulate that knowledge while hearing and responding to the developing ideas and knowledge of the students is necessary to…

Group activities as part of active-learning pedagogies are thought to be effective in promoting student learning in part because of the quality of discussion they engender in student teams. Not much is known, however, about which instructional factors are most important in achieving productive conversation or how these factors may differ among…

This article presents the results of an interpretive case study of three lecturers teaching a physical science module. The purpose of the study was to explore the lecturers' reflections on their understanding of the Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (Moodle) as a platform to decolonise the university curriculum. Purposive, with…