The formation of chemical patterns is in general difficult to control due to the random diffusive motions of the reacting chemical species in solution. In this paper, we present a new method using audible sound to control the formation of chemical patterns obtained in blue bottle experiments. The waves generated on the surface of the solution by…

The purpose of this paper is to share the iterative process we used to design a task that elicits causal mechanistic reasoning and how the subsequent student responses can be analyzed. Our goal in this task is to strike a balance between eliciting as much student knowledge as possible without providing so much structure that the answer becomes…

Scientific instruments have long been a vital part of science, paving pathways to remarkable scientific advancements. Such advancements have changed the world both socially and culturally, especially in the past few decades. Students can be introduced to this idea through the concepts of nature of science (NOS): scientific observations are often…

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…

Computational chemistry techniques are used along with spectroscopy to characterize acetaminophen synthesized in an undergraduate chemistry laboratory experiment. The inclusion of electronic structure calculations to provide infrared and Raman spectra in the synthesis and characterization of acetaminophen connects over-the-counter medications with…

Electrochemistry represents a powerful sustainable method for chemical synthesis; however, its widespread application is limited due to the lack of exposure and appropriate basic training of synthetic chemists and engineers in electrochemistry and electrochemical engineering. The introduction of diverse laboratory practices to the current…

Nationally, as the chemical community aspires to become more diverse, it is essential to make students of all races, ethnicities, gender expressions, and physical abilities feel welcomed and represented in the introductory courses in the field. One way to accomplish this goal is to present examples of scientists who are not traditionally included…

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey was created in the legacy of the first African American master distiller, Nathan "Nearest" Green. His namesake spirit is currently the most-awarded American whiskey or bourbon of 2019 and 2020, and the company is owned by a Black woman, Fawn Weaver. Weaver is committed to diversifying the spirits industry…

Students determine the iron mass in dietary supplements using four colorimetric assays. These colorimetric assays were selective for Fe[superscript 3+]. It was complexed by thiocyanide, salicylate, gallic acid, and Fe(CN)[subscript 6][superscript 4-], forming blood-red, red, violet, and blue complexes, respectively. The [lambda][subscript max] of…

Applying the idea of green chemistry, we extended an esterification teaching experiment with isoamyl alcohol and acetic acid and reused isoamyl acetate in the transesterification reaction with KOH as the catalyst. As a result, isoamyl alcohol was produced and could be reused for the teaching experiment. The simplified experimental method achieved…

Demographically India is in a very unique position compared to many other countries in the world. At present, the under-25 population in India is more than 50% of India's total population, and it is predicted that it would comprise ~25% of the world population within the next decade. This "demographic dividend" provides India with a…

Preparative chromatography is one of the most common and important purification techniques in organic chemistry and is employed in laboratories across the globe. In order to facilitate student proficiency with the method, a unique approach for the separation of estragole, ethyl cinnamate, and cinnamyl alcohol using microscale preparative flash…

Benzoin, an [alpha]-hydroxy ketone, is stereoselectively reduced by sodium borohydride to yield hydrobenzoin, the stereochemistry of which is determined by acetalization and analysis of the derivative by NMR spectroscopy. This classical experiment has been enhanced by modern spectroscopic and computational analysis to enable students to…

Assessment in education involves collecting and processing information related to student achievement during learning. Assessment activities help educators to find out where learners are having difficulties which for the sake of completeness requires an integrated instrument. The assessment carried out should conform to 21st-century learning…

Chemistry students should learn not only the key concepts and processes of the discipline but also how they arise, are established, and develop over time. Undergraduate programs for chemistry teachers seldom include training in the history of chemistry to prepare future teachers to put concepts in a historical context. In schools, atom and atomic…