This study focuses on examining the mental models of 11th and 12th-grade students attending a science high school in Turkey regarding the concept of the electron cloud. The study involved 72 students and employed the case study method. The precondition for selecting the sample was that the students had covered the unit on modern atomic theory in…

Students' negative perceptions of physical chemistry courses are well-known and are likely impacting their learning and performance in this upper-division course for majors. The syllabus can be the first interaction students have with a course and instructor and can be central to the expectations student set for the learning experience. While…

This article describes a laboratory course designed for nonmajors with a focus on food chemistry. The course can be delivered in a traditional format or in a fully remote, asynchronous format. The course is designed for students to develop an understanding of how chemists view the world and how chemists generate knowledge. Food chemistry was…

The science laboratory learning environment has been a distinctive area in science education since the 19th century. Unfortunately, students are generally not aware of what science instructors expect from laboratory experiences, and far too often, the undergraduate science laboratory curriculum lacks explicit, well-defined goals. Science…

The aims of teaching laboratories is an important and ever-evolving topic of discussion amongst teaching staff at teaching institutions. It is often assumed that both teaching staff and students are implicitly aware of these aims, although this is rarely tested or measured. This assumption can lead to mismatched beliefs between students and…

Presents a list of objectives drawn from results of a questionnaire sent to secondary and college chemistry teachers to indicate which ideas or concepts should be required of every student completing a secondary level chemistry course. Reviews rationale for the study and lists statements used in the questionnaire. (SK)

A university chemistry comprehensive final examination was analyzed to determine the extent to which it reflected the subject matter of the corresponding degree program. Although the various courses seemed adequately represented, the sampling of topics within a course tended to be low. The appropriateness of this form of assessment is discussed.…

The task force of the American Chemical Society's Division on Chemical Education, which was formed to implement curricular change in chemical education, outlines recommendations that should be part of the curricular change process. The recommendations are divided into groups of areas altering course material and areas altering process goals of the…

As part of an investigation of science and science-related curriculum and instruction, a survey was conducted of science instructors from 175 two-year colleges; the colleges were selected to be representative of region, size, and means of college control. Instructors of every thirteenth science course section offered in Fall 1977 were surveyed. Of…