A microwave-promoted synthesis of a carbocyclic curcuminoid has been developed for the undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory curriculum. The experiment features several teaching points: A novel Knoevenagel iminium-mediated condensation forms a highly conjugated, intensely colored natural product. Reaction occurs uniquely at the less acidic…

For most people, coffee roasting is a mysterious process. Chemically, it's equally mysterious; the roasting process gives rise to over 800 compounds. The science of coffee, from seed to bean to cup of aromatic brew, includes multiple areas of science content for students, and actively engages them in many science and engineering practices. Ask…

An integrated and research-focused laboratory experiment is developed to introduce the "antenna effect" occurring in luminescent lanthanide complexes to students. Students synthesized a lanthanide metal-organic framework (Ln-MOF) with the formula of [Eu(BTPCA)(H O)]·2DMF·nH[Subscript 2]O (Eu-BTPCA, H[subscript 3]BTPCA =…

In recent years, the focus of science education reform has shifted to engaging students in three-dimensional science learning experiences aligned with the National Research Council's (2012) Framework for K-12 Science Education. This movement has been associated with a focus on students participating in science as practice, which represents a…

It can be hugely beneficial for teachers to 'buy in' an expert for a day in an area that they are focusing on. Children are inspired by a special visitor and it can provide a new perspective to a topic and invigorate and extend learning. The variety of workshops and visitors available is astonishing. Students can be transported to outer space or…

The prompt introduction of single-molecule science into undergraduates' curricula is an urgent but challenging task. However, the research experiments are often too complicated and the instruments are too expensive to be widely transferred into a compulsory course of undergraduate students. Herein, we introduce a recently developed nanopore…

A partnership between a community college biology professor and a local high school teacher was established to engage high school students in authentic microbiology research. High school students isolated actinomycetes from soil samples and tested them for their ability to produce antimicrobial chemicals. They also designed and carried out their…

Rapid developments in educational technology show its impacts on classes. One of the recent trends in science education is virtual laboratory environments. The goal of this study is to reveal the effects of inquiry-based hands-on and virtual laboratory environments on pre-service science teachers' inquiry skills. A quasi-experimental research…

Serious educational gameplay continues to gain traction in K-12 educational settings, as access to novel technologies increases. Increased access to computers and other devices has shifted the landscape of the classroom, increasing students' screen-time, as technology infused lessons replace other learning experiences. Amid this context, our…

The integration of scientific modeling into science teaching is key to the development of students' understanding of complex scientific phenomena, such as genetics. With this in mind, we conducted an introductory hands-on module during an outreach gene technology laboratory on the structure of DNA. Our module examined the influence of two model…

A four week laboratory experiment was designed on the basis of a modification of the Weiss-Cook reaction for the preparation of "cis"-1,5-dimethylbicyclo[3.3.0]octane-3,7-dione. In general, this very versatile organic reaction involves a two-step process reacting biacetyl with 2 mol of dimethyl-1,3-acetonedicarboxylate to form…

This laboratory experiment visually demonstrates the advanced scientific concept of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) using hands-on learning methods. The experiment is divided into two parts: the first period consists of synthesis and isolation of the organic compound 2(TPA-O)-TPE using typical organic chemistry lab techniques; the second period…

Changes in environmental conditions can have a profound impact on organismal processes. For aquatic organisms, changes in dissolved oxygen concentration can have major repercussions, notably for physiological processes that have high long-term energetic costs and are more likely to rely on aerobic metabolic pathways. Here we propose a simple…

Over the past decade the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET) has changed the general chemistry requirements to include a single introductory course for most engineering majors. There is a focus on outcomes that equip students with the ability to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam and to work in…

High school students find reaction stoichiometry and the concept of the mole hard to comprehend. Teachers are well aware of the importance of teaching the mole concept and also the difficulty associated with it. In an attempt to improve the understanding of the mole concept with reduced difficulty, an atomic model kit that provides a hands-on…