Integrative Learning in High School Chemistry

1
Integrative Learning in High School Chemistry

• Michael Kandianis
• Terry Koker
• Barry Rowe

Centennial High School - Champaign, IL
2
Goals
Experimental (curriculum supplemental
laboratories)

• Theoretical
• (curriculum)

Modeling (Java Applets, ChemViz
STELLA)
3
Approaches

• Theoretical
• Introductory Aquatic and Organic Chemistry
• AP Level Thermochem and Chemical Kinetics

• Experimental
• Dissolved Oxygen Lab multidisciplinary approach
• Ester Synthesis
• Phase Changes physical property dependence on
  temperature
• Rate Law derivation

4
Modeling Approaches

• Introductory
• Graphical methods (Excel)
• Visualization of chemical processes (Java applets
  ChemViz)

• AP Level
• Visualization of chemical processes (Java applets
  ChemViz)
• Chemical reaction modeling (STELLA)

Coupling Physical and Computer Models
5
Physical Models and The Scientific Method

• Familiar processes provide link to chemical
  system
• Hypothesis testing and data analysis

6
Applets Interactively Illustrate Concepts
http//mc2.cchem.berkeley.edu/Java/equilibrium/ind
ex.html http//www.chem.uci.edu/education/undergr
ad_pgm/applets/sim/simulation.htm
7
STELLA Modeling
Chemical Reaction Modeling with STELLA reinforces
these concepts and allows students to experiment
with quantitative analysis.
8
Classroom Results
STELLA

• After looking at my results from this lab
  everything makes sense. - AP Chem Student

Physical Models and Applets
All students actively participate in physical
modeling exercises and in some cases experiment
with java applets at home
ChemViz
Less down time, decreased student/instructor
ratio ? increased interest
9
Additional Support

• AP Chemistry bonus sessions
• Lecture examples of chemistry
• curriculum in action
• Critical thinking activities
• Full activity descriptions can be viewed under
  the
• Centennial Team link http//gk12.ncsa.uiuc.edu/te
  ams2002.html