The thermal equilibration of himic anhydride [IUPAC (2-"endo,"3-"endo")-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid anhydride] to (2-"exo,"3-"exo")-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid anhydride and subsequent recrystallization of the "exo"-product can be performed as a standard…

The central focus of my dissertation concerns the issue of representation. The issue of representation is important for science education research for two reasons: (1) the use of external representation in science teaching and learning, particularly in chemistry education, is ubiquitous as microscopic entities are not directly visible, and (2) the…

The central focus of my dissertation concerns the issue of representation. The issue of representation is important for science education research for two reasons: (1) the use of external representation in science teaching and learning, particularly in chemistry education, is ubiquitous as microscopic entities are not directly visible, and (2) the…

Chemical kinetics is a branch of physical chemistry that constitutes an essential part of undergraduate education. In general, a complex and expensive experimental apparatus is indispensable for observing the kinetics of a chemical process owing to the continuity of chemical reactions. Thus, intuitive visualization of the chemical kinetics using a…

The design and operation of an inverted cone, scalable vapor condenser, drawing cooling air from beyond the boundary layer and optionally working as a part of a gastight setup, are described and discussed. Besides its main use as a reflux condenser, it can also be used in one-plate distillations.

University laboratories deliver unique hands-on experimentation opportunities for STEM students, but often lack state-of-the-art equipment and provide limited access to their equipment. The University of Texas Cloud Laboratory (CLAB) provides remote access to cutting-edge series elastic actuators for student experimentation regarding…

Fluorescence-related experimental techniques play an important role in biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology. However, fluorescence-related experiments are rarely included in the laboratory courses of most Chinese universities. This is mainly due to the conflict between large class size (50-60 students in one room) and funding/space…

The pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry has become the largest industrial sector for the employment of chemists, indicating a need for experiments with a pharmaceutical sciences context in the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. In the pharmaceutical industry, testing drug dissolution is a key analytical task for solid oral dosage…

This laboratory experiment offers a research-style experience designed for senior undergraduate students in a multidisciplinary laboratory setting. The experiment focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and application of a cation-exchange membrane made of COF-SO[subscript 3]Na/PAN for ion separation. By participating in this practical…

Many electroanalytical techniques utilize three-electrode systems consisting of reference, counter, and working electrodes. These electrodes are often expensive when purchased commercially, making low-cost alternatives a vital area of research. Cheaper alternatives have been proposed; however, they often require time-consuming assembly techniques…

The typical sound of George Lucas' laser blaster in the "Star Wars" series is well known. What does a laser blaster in "Star Wars" sound like, and why? Here we show a simple way to produce this sound by using low-cost lab material, like a spring or a Slinky. Building on the work of Crawford, who analyzed the sound of a Slinky…

The Promoting Radio Astronomy in Ghana through School visits and Astronomy Clubs (PRAGSAC) project was an intervention to promote astronomy education in schools in Ghana. It was initiated by a group of enthusiastic students who were trained in radio astronomy and astrophysics under a Royal Society/Newton Fund UK project termed Development in…

The switch to online instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic forced educators to adapt hands-on environmental engineering experiments to a remote curriculum previously conducted in a laboratory using expensive analytical instruments (>$2000 per device). Here, we describe how we developed a low-cost (<$200) aerosol sensor platform as a…

Seventeen years following the introduction and subsequent adoption of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Tanzanian secondary schools, teachers continue to grapple with its implementation. This research, guided by the curriculum framework, aims to uncover the underlying issues hindering the seamless execution of CBC and explore the various…

Ion-selective electrodes are among the oldest and most important potentiometric sensing methods. In this experiment, students assemble their own reusable ion-selective electrode from glass tubes with an attached PTFE membrane, [(CH[subscript 3]CH[subscript 2]CH[subscript 2]CH[subscript 2]CH[subscript 2]CH[subscript 2]CH[subscript 2]CH[subscript…