Uncovering the Unseen Design of 3-dimensional Hands-on Models of Analytical Chemistry Instrumentation
Mentor 1
Anja Blecking
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
28-4-2017 1:30 PM
End Date
28-4-2017 4:00 PM
Description
Hands-on activities engage students to use critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Chemistry instrumentation can be very complex, processes happening inside the equipment are often not completely understood. In an attempt to uncover the unseen processes, this project describes the design of a hands-on model of a dispersive infrared spectrometer uncovering the main processes and simplified details of equipment design. The interactive model is designed to be implemented in high-school science instruction. The model will support instruction aligned to the 3-dimensional instruction (disciplinary core ideas, science practices, crosscutting concepts) as described in the Next Generation Science Standards. The hands-on model incorporates movable key components such as the source, sample and reference compartments, monochromator, and the detector and is designed to teach problem solving skills and basic knowledge of instrumental design and logic. Students will be prompted to arrange the key components and the mirrors to allow the laser beam to reach the detector. The laser beam serves as a tool for students to get immediate feedback on if they've assembled the instrument correctly. They will also label the compartments with their correct names and definitions to ensure their understanding of the key functions of the instrument. The instrument exploration is embedded in the context of a very important environmental problem: global warming. Students will investigate the increasing global CO2 levels and its applications with infrared spectroscopy. A CO2 molecule with moveable bonds and atoms will serve as an example to demonstrate molecular vibration and infrared absorption frequencies.
Uncovering the Unseen Design of 3-dimensional Hands-on Models of Analytical Chemistry Instrumentation
Union Wisconsin Room
Hands-on activities engage students to use critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Chemistry instrumentation can be very complex, processes happening inside the equipment are often not completely understood. In an attempt to uncover the unseen processes, this project describes the design of a hands-on model of a dispersive infrared spectrometer uncovering the main processes and simplified details of equipment design. The interactive model is designed to be implemented in high-school science instruction. The model will support instruction aligned to the 3-dimensional instruction (disciplinary core ideas, science practices, crosscutting concepts) as described in the Next Generation Science Standards. The hands-on model incorporates movable key components such as the source, sample and reference compartments, monochromator, and the detector and is designed to teach problem solving skills and basic knowledge of instrumental design and logic. Students will be prompted to arrange the key components and the mirrors to allow the laser beam to reach the detector. The laser beam serves as a tool for students to get immediate feedback on if they've assembled the instrument correctly. They will also label the compartments with their correct names and definitions to ensure their understanding of the key functions of the instrument. The instrument exploration is embedded in the context of a very important environmental problem: global warming. Students will investigate the increasing global CO2 levels and its applications with infrared spectroscopy. A CO2 molecule with moveable bonds and atoms will serve as an example to demonstrate molecular vibration and infrared absorption frequencies.
