GEMS SponsoredCOURSE REFORM

CHEM 1212K (Spring 2005) and

CHEM 1211 K (Fall 2005)

Sharmistha Basu-DuttDepartment of Chemistry

Objectives of reform Show that knowledge of chemistry is relevant

to the “chemistry professional” during lectures and laboratory activities

Introduce inquiry activities and experiments to generate enthusiasm

Reform the workshop component

Survey student satisfaction in course

Relevance of a Knowledge of Chemistry in Real Life

REACTIONS MAY BE SLOW OR FAST

Relevance of Chemistry TopicsWhy are Intermolecular Forces relevant to all SMET disciplines?

Chemist Ethanol is highly soluble in water, but gasoline is not Diamond is hard but graphite is soft

Biologist DNA, RNA, protein, cell membrane structure and function

Physicist and computer scientist Liquid crystals and LCD - laptop computer screens act funny in hot or cold

weather!!! Geologist

Crystal structures and properties – minerals in soil Ecologist

Hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere – global ecological balance due to unique properties of water

Non-scientist You need to keep the water running in winter months Selecting soaps, shampoos, detergents Fire fighting

Relevance of Chemistry TopicsHow is the topic on Acids and Bases relevant to SMET disciplines? Human physiology involves acids and bases

Taste buds respond to acids (citrus fruits) and bases (dark chocolates) in food. Building blocks of (i) DNA and RNA are nucleic acids; (ii) body fats are fatty acids; (iii) proteins are

amino acids. Carboxylic acid intermediates are formed in the Kreb’s cycle (metabolism of sugars to release

energy). Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is necessary for the production of collagen (an essential protein in skin,

bones and healing of wounds). Gastric juice (HCl) aid in digestion.

Environmental issues Massive forest damage in Germany, Sweden have been caused by acid rain – contamination of rain

water with SO2 or NOx. Labels on batteries advise recycling - improper disposal may lead to acids leaching out and causing

land pollution. Industrial applications

Petroleum industry; pharmaceuticals; soaps and detergents; explosives; paints At home

HCl used in swimming pools kill algae and aquatic pathogens NaOH (lye) used in oven cleaners and drain cleaners remove grease easily; ammonia is used to clean

glass

Inquiry in Laboratory Activities

Saving the Dehydrated Toddler at the Atlanta Zoo: Using basic principles and concepts involved in making solutions and diluting solutions, students try to make up an appropriate saline solution to treat dehydration.

Exploring the Heating Curve: Using basic principles and concepts involved in phase changes and inter-molecular bonding, students explore the similarities and differences in the heating curves of water and an unknown liquid and use experimental heat capacity and enthalpy values to identify the unknown liquid.

Reform the workshop format

In this model, several groups of workshop students conduct an inquiry laboratory or problem solving activity using collaborative learning for the first 45 minutes. For the remaining time, a peer leader guides them through similar activities in smaller groups.

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20

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60

Satisfaction with Workshop

GEMS 43.9 31.7 19.5 4.9

Regular 21.1 40.4 15.4 23.1

LC 33.3 33.3 25 8.3

A B C D

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4

Average Workshop Score

AVG 3.15 2.59 2.92

GEMS Regular LC

Survey to assess student satisfactionReformed Course SurveyYOUR MAJOR__________________________________________________Please comment on the usefulness of the following components of the course: The lecture portion of this course has

INCREASED / DECREASED / NO CHANGE your understanding of chemistry in general. INCREASED / DECREASED / NO CHANGE your understanding of the relevance of chemistry in

all science and engineering disciplines. INCREASED / DECREASED / NO CHANGE your understanding of the relevance of chemistry in

real life. The laboratory portion of this course have

INCREASED / DECREASED / NO CHANGE your understanding of the theoretical concepts in chemistry.

INCREASED / DECREASED / NO CHANGE your overall interest and enthusiasm in chemistry. INCREASED / DECREASED / NO CHANGE your overall interest and enthusiasm in the

sciences and engineering. Based on your experience in this course, will you be

INTERESTED / NOT INTERESTED to take another chemistry course. INTERESTED / NOT INTERESTED to take another science course. INTERESTED / NOT INTERESTED in a career in Chemistry. INTERESTED / NOT INTERESTED in a career in the sciences and engineering.

Compare your experience in this course with other Chemistry courses you have taken. BETTER / WORSE / SAME as High School Chemistry BETTER / WORSE / SAME as CHEM 1211K

Survey Results for Lecture Component

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100

Relevance of lecture in understanding Chemistry - Assessment in Various Sections of CHEM 1212K -

Spring 2005

GEMS 72.2 0 27.8

Regular 75.5 6.7 17.8

LC 95.8 0 4.2

Increase No Decreas

0

100

Relevance of lecture in understanding the role of chemistry in other disciplines - Assessment in Various

Sections of CHEM 1212K - Spring 2005

GEMS 80.6 0 19.4

Regular 60 4.4 35.6

LC 72.9 0 27.1

Increase No Decreas

0

100

Relevance of lecture in understanding the role of chemistry in real life applications - Assessment in Various Sections of CHEM 1212K - Spring 2005

GEMS 80.6 0 19.4

Regular 57.8 0 42.2

LC 75 0 25

Increase No Decreas

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40

60

80

100

Assessment of Lecture in Reformed CHEM 1211K course - Fall 2005

Lecture - understanding chemistryconcepts

87.5 4.16 8.33

Lecture - relevance in science/engg 75 4.16 20.83

Lecture - relevance in real life 70.83 2.08 27.08

Increased Decreased No change

Survey Results for Laboratory Experience

0

100

Relevance of Labs in Understanding Chemistry - Assessment in Various Sections of CHEM 1212K -

Spring 2005

GEMS 75 0 25

Regular 62.2 0 37.8

LC 75 0 25

Increase No Decreas0

100

Relevance of Labs in Generating Enthusiasm in Chemistry - Assessment in Various Sections of CHEM

1212K - Spring 2005

GEMS 55.6 5.6 38.8

Regular 26.7 26.7 46.6

LC 35.4 10.4 52.2

Increase No Decreas

0

100

Relevance of labs in generating enthusiasm in science and engineering - Assessment in Various

Sections of CHEM 1212K - Spring 2005

GEMS 55.6 0 44.4

Regular 40 17.8 42.2

LC 39.6 4.2 56.2

Increase No Decreas 0

50

100

Assessment of Laboratory Activities in Reformed CHEM 1211K course - Fall 2005

Labs - understandingchemistry concepts

81.25 2.08 16.67

Labs - interest in chemistry 56.25 10.42 33.33

Labs - interest inscience/engg

52.08 6.25 41.67

Increased Decreased No change

Survey Results for Overall Experience

0

100

Experience compared to high school chemistry - Comparison in Various Sections of CHEM 1212K -

Spring 2005

GEMS 72.2 13.9 13.9

Regular 57.8 22.2 20

LC 75 10.5 14.5

Better Same Worse

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50

Experience compared to CHEM 1211 - Comparion in Various Sections of CHEM 1212K - Spring 2005

GEMS 47.2 19.4 33.4

Regular 28.9 33.3 37.8

LC 47.9 6.3 45.8

Better Same Worse

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40

60

80

Experience Compared to High School Chemistry - Evaluation of Reformed CHEM 1211K - Fall 2005

Series1 60.4 25 14.6

Better Worse Same

Survey Results for GEMS

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100

Generate Enthusiasm in SMET - Comparison in Various Section of CHEM 1212K -

Spring 2005

Another Chemistry course 69.4 64.4 54.2

Another Science course 87.5 87.7 89.6

Career in Chemistry 55.6 33.3 31.25

GEMS Regular LC 0

50

100

Generate Enthusiasm in SMET in CHEM 1211K - Fall 2005

Another chemistry course 75 25

Another science/engg course 89.58 10.42

Career in chemistry 31.25 68.75

Career in science/engg 79.17 20.83

Yes No

Grade Distribution

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Grade Distribution in Reformed Courses

1212K 20 24.4 31.1 8.89 6.67 8.89

1211K 34.9 11.1 19.05 7.94 12.7 14.3

A B C D F W

Gender and Ethnicity of Students Impacted by the Reform

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50

100

Gender and Ethnicity Distribution in Reformed Courses

1212K 55.55 44.45 26.7 73.3

1211K 66.67 33.33 14.3 85.7

Male Female Minority Others