Multistep synthesis is a key capstone experience in organic laboratory instruction. Here, a four-step synthesis of avobenzone, an active component in sunscreens, has been developed that can be completed in two 4 h laboratory periods. This synthesis incorporates green principles and includes an aldol condensation, electrophilic addition of bromine…

We provide an update on the "electrochemistry designette" in relation to its pedagogical effectiveness to students and experiential learning. We have previously proposed that the designette be applied as an assessment tool to measure the students' competence on electrochemical principles through a series of objective metrics. Based on…

The possibility of conducting laboratory experiments at home without using commercially available kits, which might also be overly expensive, seems to be a suitable approach for a distance chemistry laboratory. Thus, several hands-on experiments with household supplies have been developed aiming at fostering students' laboratory competencies, as…

A two-part workshop connecting environmental science topics and green chemistry principles for undergraduate students is described. Students first collect acorns and rusted metal for dye and mordant baths. After 2 weeks they are invited back to tie-dye cotton fabric using dye baths prepared from steeped acorns and modify these colors using mordant…

We present the design of a periscope-type VIS spectrometer for educational purposes that combines strong features from various earlier designs and adds new ones. Three 3D-printed pieces that hold a small thin mirror sheet, a 1/8th wedge of a DVD, and two razor blades are easily assembled and facilitate insight into its construction. A new feature…

Entomology is a foundational subject in the sciences and is often required in curriculum standards for K-12 education because insects allow students to learn about animals in a controlled way. As a result, entomology education is a common yet frequently overlooked aspect of academic learning. To better understand the role an interactive insect…

Tinkering learning is a pedagogical strategy that emphasizes hands-on exploration, experimentation, and learning from mistakes in STEM education. It involves using personal fabrication tools, such as a 3D printer, to develop and improve ideas through interactive play. Design-based making activities have gained popularity in K-12 classrooms as they…

Ensuring that botany and plant sciences are being included in undergraduate life science curricula is necessary for developing a future global sustainability workforce. To gain a baseline understanding, we surveyed life science educators in the U.S. about current botanical education. We further evaluated these data to determine connections to the…

Using polymerizable cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) paints, we prepare circularly polarized freestanding films that enable students to acquire a basic understanding of circular polarization and molecular chirality. The polymerized helical structures of CLC films can exhibit brilliant structural colors by selective reflection of visible light…

Over 200 years ago, Alessandro Volta published his observations of a steady voltage when a piece of electrolyte-soaked cardboard was sandwiched between two dissimilar metals. This observation initiated a century of argument as to the origin of voltaic electricity (contact vs chemical) and catalyzed practical advances, such as the first…

Concepts relating to enzymes and energy are central to understanding chemical and biological processes at the molecular level. Student learning of these crosscutting concepts can be challenging, so it is important to identify misconceptions and remediate them early, especially in introductory classes. Here we describe an activity in which…

Lab activities are a vital part of physics courses, providing students with hands-on experiences of classroom topics. At the same time, building self-efficacy is vital to student learning and retention; however, females traditionally have lower self-efficacy in STEM fields. This research explores the role of gender and the changes in interest in…

In this paper, we present a concise and technique-heavy route to the synthesis of dimedone for a second-year organic chemistry curriculum. Our preparation of dimedone guides students through a Michael addition followed by a Dieckmann cyclization, basic ester hydrolysis, and thermal decarboxylation, while allowing time for mechanistic discussion…

The synthesis of a [2]rotaxane through three- or five-component coupling reactions has been adapted to an organic chemistry experiment for upper-division students. The experimental procedure addresses the search for the most favorable reaction conditions for the synthesis of the interlocked compound, which is obtained in a yield of up to 71%.…

Metabolic Control Analysis (MCA) is a systems biology approach that measures the control of a metabolic step on the overall flux of a metabolic pathway. In undergraduate courses in biochemistry, learning of MCA can be encouraged by experimental activities demonstrating practical applications of the MCA theory. In this work, we present a laboratory…