9452248 Stolzberg The Department of Chemistry is developing multiple approaches to strengthen the connection between the laboratory and lecture portions of Introductory General Chemistry. A major focus of the plan is the proposed series of four atomic absorption spectrometry experiments. After each experiment is done, and students have examined data from other groups and interpreted their results, they propose that a full lecture period be allocated for students to make presentations of their interpretation of the experimental data. Faculty will summarize student findings and put them into a practical perspective. The experiments are designed so that the students will practice the component parts of scientific investigation. They will use well-designed experiments to make comparisons of averages or trends, test hypotheses using inductive reasoning, and examine and interpret relatively large data sets reduced to graphical form. In addition, they will do short, out-of lab writing exercises which will be evaluated by their peers. They intend to make students comfortable with the idea of, and enchanted with the ability of, the component methodologies of good laboratory science.
