Celebrating the Value of Chemistry
The October 2017 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. Topics featured in this issue include: geochemistry in action; research on effective teaching and study approaches; keeping education and chemistry relevant; communication and writing; spectroscopy; chromatography; synthesis; teaching resources; mining the archive: chemistry rocks!
Cover: Geochemistry in Action: Watch a Dripstone Grow!
Nature beautifies the ruins of an aging concrete bunker with brilliant white stalagmites. Although the chemical composition and morphology of these formations is equivalent to those found in limestone caves, the chemical process creating them is different and much faster. In Geochemistry in Action: Watch a Dripstone Grow!, Bertram Schmidkonz makes use of this phenomenon to grow dripstone in an innovative lab experiment activity, which is more chemically realistic than the well-known dripping salt solution demonstration. Because a simple acid-base reaction is involved, this novel approach provides teachers with an opportunity to connect basic chemistry concepts to a geochemical feature, engaging the interest of students with its real-world context. This article and others in the issue can help you communicate the value of chemistry in our everyday life during National Chemistry Week, being celebrated October 22-28, 2017, with the theme "Chemistry Rocks!". For example, see articles on:
Geochemistry
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Qualitative Analysis of Metals in Simulated Martian Soils ~ Curtis Mowry, Rob Milofsky, William Collins, and Adam S. Pimentel
Water Quality Monitoring of an Urban Estuary and a Coastal Aquifer Using Field Kits and Meters: A Community-Based Environmental Research Project ~ Hun Bok Jung, Felix Zamora, and Nurdan S. Duzgoren-Aydin
Bird’s-Eye View of Sampling Sites: Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles To Make Chemistry Fieldwork Videos ~ Fun Man Fung and Simon Francis Watts
Outreach
Exploring Matter: An Interactive, Inexpensive Chemistry Exhibit for Museums ~ Steven Murov and Arnold Chavez
Chemistry Science Investigation: Dognapping Workshop, An Outreach Program Designed To Introduce Students to Science through a Hands-On Mystery ~ Timothy J. Boyle, Jeremiah M. Sears, Bernadette A. Hernandez-Sanchez, Maddison R. Casillas, and Thao H. Nguyen
Addressing an Overlooked Science Outreach Audience: Development of a Science Mentorship Program Focusing on Critical Thinking Skills for Adults Working toward a High School Equivalency Degree ~ Nicole L. Gagnon and Anna J. Komor
Demonstrations
A(nother) Modification of the Ammonia Fountain Demonstration ~ Ben Ruekberg and David L. Freeman
Illustrating the Basic Functioning of Mass Analyzers in Mass Spectrometers with Ball-Rolling Mechanisms ~ Ryo Horikoshi, Fumitaka Takeiri, Riho Mikita, Yoji Kobayashi, and Hiroshi Kageyama
Editorial
Norbert J. Pienta writes about Reflecting on Journal Traditions and Policies on the Way to the Future in this month's editorial, with particular attention to current Journal policy about prior publication and tools for open access
Research on Effective Teaching and Study Approaches
Unpacking “Active Learning”: A Combination of Flipped Classroom and Collaboration Support Is More Effective but Collaboration Support Alone Is Not ~ Martina A. Rau, Kristopher Kennedy, Lucas Oxtoby, Mark Bollom, and John W. Moore
Differential Use of Study Approaches by Students of Different Achievement Levels ~ Diane M. Bunce, Regis Komperda, Maria J. Schroeder, Debra K. Dillner, Shirley Lin, Melonie A. Teichert, and JudithAnn R. Hartman
Keeping Education and Chemistry Relevant
Hydration of Decorative Beads: An Exercise in Measurement, Calculations, and Graphical Analysis ~ Rebecca A. Hill and Christopher P. Nicholson
Evaluating the Relevance of the Chemistry Curriculum to the Workplace: Keeping Tertiary Education Relevant ~ Nur Yaisyah Bte Md Yasin and Ong Yueying
Independent Synthesis Projects in the Organic Chemistry Teaching Laboratories: Bridging the Gap Between Student and Researcher ~ Valerie A. Keller and Beatrice Lin Kendall
Heightening Awareness for Graduate Students of the Potential Impacts of Nanomaterials on Human Health and the Environment Using a Theoretical–Practical Approach ~ Nathalie F. S. de Melo, Leonardo F. Fraceto, and Renato Grillo
Communication and Writing
A Project Provides an Opportunity: Multiple Drafts of an Introduction Require Students To Engage Deeply with the Literature ~ David J. Slade and Justin S. Miller
Do It Right! Requiring Multiple Submissions of Math and NMR Analysis Assignments in the Laboratory ~ David J. Slade
Spectroscopy
Demonstrating Basic Properties of Spectroscopy Using a Self-Constructed Combined Fluorimeter and UV-Photometer ~ Eivind V. Kvittingen, Lise Kvittingen, Thor Bernt Melø, Birte Johanne Sjursnes, and Richard Verley
Using Myoglobin Denaturation To Help Biochemistry Students Understand Protein Structure ~ Yilan Miao and Courtney L. Thomas
General Chemistry Laboratory Experiment To Demonstrate Organic Synthesis, Fluorescence, and Chemiluminescence through Production of a Biphasic Glow Stick ~ Adam L. Pay, Curtiss Kovash, and Brian A. Logue
Spectroscopy 101: A Practical Introduction to Spectroscopy and Analysis for Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Laboratories ~ Lucas A. Morrill, Jacquelin K. Kammeyer, and Neil K. Garg
Circular Dichroism of G-Quadruplex: a Laboratory Experiment for the Study of Topology and Ligand Binding ~ Josué Carvalho, João A. Queiroz, and Carla Cruz
Chromatography
What Is in Your Wallet? Quantitation of Drugs of Abuse on Paper Currency with a Rapid LC–MS/MS Method ~ Patrick D. Parker, Brandon Beers, and Matthew J. Vergne
Complete LabVIEW-Controlled HPLC Lab: An Advanced Undergraduate Experience ~ Douglas J. Beussman and John P. Walters
Isolation of Biliverdin IXα, as its Dimethyl Ester, from Emu Eggshells ~ Steven Halepas, Randy Hamchand, Samuel E. D. Lindeyer, and Christian Brückner
Synthesis
Chemical Upcycling of Expired Drugs: Synthesis of Guaifenesin Acetonide ~ Homar Barcena and Katarzyna Maziarz
Two Approaches to the Synthesis of Dimethyl Fumarate That Demonstrate Fundamental Principles of Organic Chemistry ~ Brian E. Love and Lisa J. Bennett
Synthesis of trans-4,5-Bis-dibenzylaminocyclopent-2-enone from Furfural Catalyzed by ErCl3·6H2O ~ Mónica S. Estevão, Ricardo J. V. Martins, and Carlos A. M. Afonso
Straightforward Preparation Method for Complexes Bearing a Bidentate N-Heterocyclic Carbene To Introduce Undergraduate Students to Research Methodology ~ Alberto Fernández, Margarita López-Torres, Jesús J. Fernández, Digna Vázquez-García, and Ismael Marcos
Teaching Resources
Radius Ratio Rule Rescue ~ Anna Michmerhuizen, Karine Rose, Wentiirim Annankra, and Douglas A. Vander Griend
Learning Laboratory Chemistry through Electronic Sensors, a Microprocessor, and Student Enabling Software: A Preliminary Demonstration ~ Qing Zhang, Ly Brode, Tingting Cao, and J. E. Thompson
Development and Use of an Open-Source, User-Friendly Package To Simulate Voltammetry Experiments ~ Shuo Wang, Jing Wang, and Yanjing Gao
Adapting and Modifying the Apparatus for Students To Accurately Determine the Freezing Point of a Solvent and Solution ~ Shirong Li, Jianzhong Guo, Kewang Wang, Lin Chen, Daodao Hu, and Yunshan Bai
Comment on “Calculating the Confidence and Prediction Limits of a Rate Constant at a Given Temperature from an Arrhenius Equation Using Excel” ~ Pascal Pernot
Reply to “Comment on ‘Calculating the Confidence and Prediction Limits of a Rate Constant at a Given Temperature from an Arrhenius Equation Using Excel’” ~ Ronald A. Hites
Mining the Archives: Chemistry Rocks!
Celebrate National Chemistry Week 2017: Chemistry Rocks! with geochemistry resources in past issues of JCE, such as:
Geology-Inspired Chemistry Laboratories
Chemistry and Art in a Bag: An Easy-To-Implement Outreach Activity Making and Painting with a Copper-Based Pigment ~ Anne C. Gaquere-Parker, N. Allie Doles, Cass D. Parker
Synthesis of Copper Pigments, Malachite and Verdigris: Making Tempera Paint ~ Sally D. Solomon, Susan A. Rutkowsky, Megan L. Mahon, Erica M. Halpern
Copper Metal from Malachite circa 4000 B.C.E. ~ Cris E. Johnson, Gordon T. Yee, and Jeannine E. Eddleton
Analysis of Copper-Bearing Rocks and Minerals for Their Metal Content Using Visible Spectroscopy: A First Year Chemistry Laboratory Exploration ~ A. M. R. P. Bopegedera
Experimenting with a Visible Copper–Aluminum Displacement Reaction in Agar Gel and Observing Copper Crystal Growth Patterns To Engage Student Interest and Inquiry ~ Xinhua Xu, Meifen Wu, Xiaogang Wang, Yangyiwei Yang, Xiang Shi, Guoping Wang
Quantitative Determination of Iron in Limonite Using Spectroscopic Methods with Senior and General Chemistry Students: Geology-Inspired Chemistry Lab Explorations ~ A. M. R. P. Bopegedera, Christopher L. Coughenour, Andrew J. Oswalt
Minerals and Crystals
Exploring Solid-State Structure and Physical Properties: A Molecular and Crystal Model Exercise ~ Thomas H. Bindel
Celebrating the International Year of Crystallography with a Wisconsin High School Crystal Growing Competition ~ Ilia A. Guzei
The Growth of Large Single Crystals ~ Carl D. Baer
How Does Your Garden Grow? Investigating the "Magic Salt Crystal Garden" ~ JCE staff
Salt Crystals-Science behind the Magic ~ Charles F. Davidson and Michael R. Slabaugh
Crystal Growth in Gels ~ Steven L. Suib
Using Silica Gel Cat Litter To Readily Demonstrate the Formation of Colorful Chemical Gardens ~ Masatada Matsuoka
At ChemEdX,
Investigations of Hematite beads: A Experiment for National Chemistry Week ~ Tom Kuntzleman
Chemistry Rocks!—Resources for National Chemistry Week, the Classroom, and Beyond ~ Erica Jacobsen
News & Announcements
Save the dates! 25th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, July 29–August 2, 2018, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana ~ Steven M. Wietstock, Cathrine Reck, and James Parise
Chemistry Always Rocks in JCE
With over 94 years of content from the Journal of Chemical Education available, you will always discover something useful—including the articles mentioned above, and many more, in the Journal of Chemical Education. Articles that are edited and published online ahead of print (ASAP—As Soon As Publishable) are also available.