Student-Performed Demonstrations: Laboratory Component for Non-Science

Majors - January TermCharles Ophardt, Eugene Losey

Elmhurst College, IL 60126email: charleso@elmhurst.edu

http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/demos/BCCE.html

Overview

• College students:

• Prepare demonstrations

• Prepare and Present Demonstration Shows to elementary students

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

Goals

• Provide elementary students with motivational opportunities to learn science

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

Courses

• Audience:

• Non-science majors

• Mostly pre-elementary education majors

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

Lab FormatDemonstration Selection

• Books of compilations from previous classes• Published books and journal articles• Developing Elmhurst College web site

http://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

Types of Demonstrations

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

Hydrogen Balloon

Polyurethane Foam

Nylon Rope

Liquid Nitrogen

Solid Water

Elephant Toothpaste

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

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

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

Preparation of a Poster

• Drawings of Equipment and Observations

• Simple concept

• Names / Formulas / Equation

Practice Show

• Organized in a demonstration order

• Present practice show

• Oral Presentation Rubric used for grading

• Instructor and peers provide suggestions

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