ERIC Number: EJ1444522
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Jul
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: EISSN-1938-1328
Available Date: N/A
An Introduction to Scanning Electron Microscopy and Science Communication Skills for Undergraduate Chemistry Students
Matilynn Lam; Casey Schwarz; Rashi Sharma; Julie Donnelly
Journal of Chemical Education, v100 n7 p2802-2808 2023
Despite the growing importance of nanomaterials in numerous industries, most undergraduate chemistry students are unlikely to encounter characterization techniques common in the field during their education. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is a common technique for materials characterization widely used in careers chemistry students are likely to pursue. However, this technique, and others like it, are virtually inaccessible to undergraduate students. In this activity, we used an SEM simulator in a Physical Chemistry lab activity to familiarize students with the technique. As the calls for more effective communication skills among chemistry graduates increase, we used a framework for effective SciComm to teach students to interpret the SEM images. To present the images they generated and demonstrate their understanding of SEM and how it works, students created products based on scenarios with different audiences, purposes, and formats. This type of activity could be used to make typically inaccessible techniques accessible to undergraduates and offer an opportunity for students to practice their SciComm skills.
Descriptors: Science Instruction, Chemistry, College Science, Undergraduate Students, Laboratory Equipment, Computer Simulation, Science Laboratories, Science Process Skills, Communication Skills
Division of Chemical Education, Inc. and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A