Student-Performed Demonstrations: Laboratory Component for Non-Science Majors - January Term

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Student-Performed Demonstrations Laboratory
Component for Non-Science Majors - January Term

• Charles Ophardt, Eugene Losey
• Elmhurst College, IL 60126
• email charleso_at_elmhurst.edu
• http//www.elmhurst.edu/chm/demos/BCCE.html

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Overview

• College students
• Prepare demonstrations
• Prepare and Present Demonstration Shows to
  elementary students

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Goals

• Provide college students opportunities
• Learn science concepts and principles
• Non-traditional and innovative
• Creative and stimulating
• Hands-on
• Provide elementary students with motivational
  opportunities to learn science

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Goals

• Provide elementary students with motivational
  opportunities to learn science

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Objectives

• College students should be able to
• Explain science principles
• Develop science process techniques in developing
  demos
• Practice communication skills
• Gain insights in teaching science at elementary
  level

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Courses

• Audience
• Non-science majors
• Mostly pre-elementary education majors

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CHM 290 - Science Demonstrations

• January Term - one month
• No General Education credit
• Initial six hours lecture on principles
• Prepare and test demonstrations
• Receive one-on-one individual help on explanations

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Lab FormatDemonstration Selection

• Books of compilations from previous classes
• Published books and journal articles
• Developing Elmhurst College web
  sitehttp//www.elmhurst.edu/chm/demos
• Outside Internet sites
• Organize into groups of 5-7 students
• Ensure cross section of demo selections
• Avoid duplication
• Select from among six favorites

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Types of Demonstrations

• Six Favorite Demos
• Performed in every show
• Hydrogen Balloon
• Liquid Nitrogen
• Polyurethane Foam
• Nylon Rope
• Solid Water
• Elephant Toothpaste

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Hydrogen Balloon
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Polyurethane Foam
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Nylon Rope
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Liquid Nitrogen
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Solid Water
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Elephant Toothpaste
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Categories of Demonstrations

• Demos that use household vs. lab chemicals
• Density
• Gases and pressure
• Twenty different uses of baking soda and vinegar
• Solubility and Polarity
• Simple reactions of elements
• Acid-Base
• Oxidation-Reduction
• Double Replacement/Precipitation Reactions
• Polymer reactions

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Lab FormatDemo Preparation Cycle

• CHM 290 J-Term
• Two 3 hour days - prepare and test 4 demos
• First day - mainly preparation and testing
• Second day - receive help on explanations
• Prepare chemicals/glassware for shows
• Store and transport chemicals in a plastic bin

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Demonstration Write-UpFormat

• Title
• Science Concepts
• Materials and Pre-preparations
• Directions to carry out demo
• Introduction and Commentary
• Explanation - college level
• Appropriate grade level explanation
• Safety
• Waste Disposal
• Reference

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Preparation of a Poster

• Drawings of Equipment and Observations
• Simple concept
• Names / Formulas / Equation

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Practice Show

• Organized in a demonstration order
• Present practice show
• Oral Presentation Rubric used for grading
• Instructor and peers provide suggestions

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Future Direction

• Continue work with demo write-ups online with
  pictures
• Cross reference demos to vchembook
• Continue work on web site with concepts and
  explanations - vchembook
• http//www.elmhurst.edu/chm/vchembook
• Contains core concepts with pictures and diagrams
• Cross referenced to the demos