Student-Performed Demonstrations: Laboratory Component for Non-Science Majors - January Term

1. Student-Performed Demonstrations: Laboratory Component for Non-Science Majors - January Term Charles Ophardt, Eugene Losey Elmhurst College, IL 60126 email: charleso@elmhurst.edu http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/demos/BCCE.html

2. Overview • College students: • Prepare demonstrations • Prepare and Present Demonstration Shows to elementary students

3. Goals • Provide college students opportunities: • Learn science concepts and principles • Non-traditional and innovative • Creative and stimulating • Hands-on • Provide elementary students with motivational opportunities to learn science

4. Goals • Provide elementary students with motivational opportunities to learn science

5. Objectives • College students should be able to: • Explain science principles • Develop science process techniques in developing demos • Practice communication skills • Gain insights in teaching science at elementary level

6. Courses • Audience: • Non-science majors • Mostly pre-elementary education majors

7. CHM 290 - Science Demonstrations • January Term - one month • No General Education credit • Initial six hours lecture on principles • Prepare and test demonstrations • Receive one-on-one individual help on explanations

8. Lab FormatDemonstration Selection • Books of compilations from previous classes • Published books and journal articles • Developing Elmhurst College web sitehttp://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/demos • Outside Internet sites • Organize into groups of 5-7 students • Ensure cross section of demo selections • Avoid duplication • Select from among six favorites

9. Types of Demonstrations • Six Favorite Demos • Performed in every show • Hydrogen Balloon • Liquid Nitrogen • Polyurethane Foam • Nylon Rope • Solid Water • Elephant Toothpaste

10. Hydrogen Balloon

11. Polyurethane Foam

12. Nylon Rope

13. Liquid Nitrogen

14. Solid Water

15. Elephant Toothpaste

16. Categories of Demonstrations • Demos that use household vs. “lab” chemicals • Density • Gases and pressure • Twenty different uses of baking soda and vinegar • Solubility and Polarity • Simple reactions of elements • Acid-Base • Oxidation-Reduction • Double Replacement/Precipitation Reactions • Polymer reactions

17. Lab FormatDemo Preparation Cycle • CHM 290 J-Term • Two 3 hour days - prepare and test 4 demos • First day - mainly preparation and testing • Second day - receive help on explanations • Prepare chemicals/glassware for shows • Store and transport chemicals in a plastic bin

18. Demonstration Write-UpFormat • Title • Science Concepts • Materials and Pre-preparations • Directions to carry out demo • Introduction and Commentary • Explanation - college level • Appropriate grade level explanation • Safety • Waste Disposal • Reference

19. Preparation of a Poster • Drawings of Equipment and Observations • Simple concept • Names / Formulas / Equation

20. Practice Show • Organized in a demonstration order • Present practice show • Oral Presentation Rubric used for grading • Instructor and peers provide suggestions

21. Future Direction • Continue work with demo write-ups online with pictures • Cross reference demos to “vchembook” • Continue work on web site with concepts and explanations - “vchembook” • http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook • Contains core concepts with pictures and diagrams • Cross referenced to the demos