JCE 96.11 November 2019 Issue Highlights

Journal of Chemical Education November 2019 Cover

Mentoring the Next Generation

The November 2019 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. Topics featured in this issue include: biochemistry and visualizations; fostering effective explanations and instructions; learning through games and contests; green chemistry; investigations involving light; discovery-based laboratories; innovations in teaching; chemistry teacher experiences; foundations of chemistry; from the archive: infrared imaging.

Cover: Biochemistry Visualizations through Virtual Reality

Virtual reality (VR) is an affordable, high-quality commodity hardware that can offer new ways to teach, communicate, and engage with complex molecular topics while enabling students to become comfortable with emerging simulation and visualization approaches. In Teaching Enzyme Catalysis Using Interactive Molecular Dynamics in Virtual Reality, Simon J. Bennie, Kara E. Ranaghan, Helen Deeks, Heather E. Goldsmith, Michael B. O’Connor, Adrian J. Mulholland, and David R. Glowacki describe a traditional computational chemistry class complemented by an additional component using real-time interactive molecular dynamics simulations in VR (iMD-VR) and show that iMD-VR is an effective and practical tool for demonstrating biochemical processes to undergraduate students. 

Additional articles on visualizations and structures:

Enhancing Understanding in Biochemistry Using 3D Printing and Cheminformatics Technologies: A Student Perspective ~ Anna E. Lohning, Susan Hall, and Shailandra Dukie

PyMOL as an Instructional Tool To Represent and Manipulate the Myoglobin/Hemoglobin Protein System ~ Jennifer E. Lineback and Ariane L. Jansma

Incorporating Chemical Structure Drawing Software throughout the Organic Laboratory Curriculum ~ Noel M. Paul, Ryan J. Yoder, and Christopher S. Callam

“Sugar Mapping”, an Easy-To-Use Visual Tool To Help the Synthetic Chemist Identify Carbohydrate Stereochemical Relationships ~ Marie-Charlotte Belhomme, Stéphanie Castex, and Arnaud Haudrechy

Additional biochemistry-focused content:

Identification of Proteins Using Four Methods of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry ~ Kestutis G. Bendinskas, Ashley J. Canning, and Ashlee E. Smith

Implementing a Hybrid Expression Method That Allows Upper-Division Biochemistry Lab Students To Engage in a Full Protein Production Experience While Allowing Ample Time for Characterization Experiments ~ Josiah W. Johnson, Christian D. Mitchell, Anna M. Deloach, Hannah E. Simpson, and Tori B. Dunlap

Predicting and Visualizing 5S rRNA Structures Using Bioinformatics Tools To Help Students Learn RNA Structure and Function While Gaining Computer Research Skills ~ Ji-Zheng Sun, Yu-Jing Tang, Rong-Bo Sa, and Yan-Xia Gao

Editorial

Thomas Holme, Editor-in-Chief Designee, discusses Reproducibility, Replication, and Generalization in Research about Teaching Innovation.

Fostering Effective Explanations and Instructions

EXPlainistry: Creating Documentation, Explanations, and Animated Visualizations of Chemistry Experiments Supported by Information and Communication Technology To Help School Students Understand Molecular-Level Interactions ~ Johann Seibert, Christopher W. M. Kay, and Johannes Huwer

Design and Evaluation of Integrated Instructions in Secondary-Level Chemistry Practical Work ~ David J. Paterson

Teaching Laboratories at a Slower Pace: Introduction of Photocomics as Easy-to-Use Laboratory Instructions ~ Michaela Zeiner, Petra Viehauser, and Christina Steiner-Friedmann

Case Studies for General Chemistry: Teaching with a Newsworthy Story ~ Lisa Hibbard

Connecting Organic Chemistry Concepts with Real-World Contexts by Creating Infographics ~ Devki Kothari, Ariana O. Hall, Carol Ann Castañeda, and Anne J. McNeil

Maximizing Student Engagement Outside the Classroom with Organic Synthesis Videos ~ John Rose, Richard Pennington, Derek Behmke, David Kerven, Robert Lutz, and Julia E. Barker Paredes

A Simple and Practical Method for Incorporating Augmented Reality into the Classroom and Laboratory ~ Kyle N. Plunkett

Learning through Games and Contests

Ion Hunters: Playing a Game To Practice Identifying Anions and Cations and Writing Their Names and Formulas ~ Nisa Yenikalaycı, Dilek Çelikler, and Zeynep Aksan

CHEMCompete-II: An Organic Chemistry Card Game To Differentiate between Substitution and Elimination Reactions of Alcohols ~ Maria Camarca, William Heuett, and Deana Jaber

Celebrating 27 Years of a Chemistry Contest for High School Students at a University in Poland That Promotes Chemistry for Future Study and Career Choices ~ Mariusz Zalewski and Tomasz Krawczyk

Green Chemistry

Developing a Green Chemistry Focused General Chemistry Laboratory Curriculum: What Do Students Understand and Value about Green Chemistry? ~ Laura B. Armstrong, Mariana C. Rivas, Zeyi Zhou, Lauren M. Irie, Geri A. Kerstiens, MaryAnn T. Robak, Michelle C. Douskey, and Anne M. Baranger

Student-Designed Green Chemistry Experiment for a Large-Enrollment, Introductory Organic Laboratory Course ~ Nancy Wu, Tomohiro Kubo, Kikelomo N. Sekoni, Ariana O. Hall, Sameer Phadke, Danielle M. Zurcher, Rachel L. Wallace, Devki B. Kothari, and Anne J. McNeil

Going Green in Process Chemistry: Optimizing an Asymmetric Oxidation Reaction To Synthesize the Antiulcer Drug Esomeprazole ~ Graeme D. McAllister and Andrew F. Parsons (available to non-subscribers as part of ACS AuthorChoice program)

New, Milder Hypervalent Iodine Oxidizing Agent: Using μ-Oxodi(phenyliodanyl) Diacetate, a (Diacetoxyiodo)benzene Derivative, in the Synthesis of Quinones ~ Hao-Che Peng, Jessica Bryan, William Henson, Viktor V. Zhdankin, Kushal Gandhi, and Samuel David

Investigations Involving Light

Using Polymers and Pigments to Produce Laser Interference Rings ~ Kayla A. Lippincott, Emily A. Rosengarten, Arijit Sengupta, and Dean J. Campbell

Plasmonic Evolution and Arrested Development for Silver Nanoscale Colloids: A Classroom Demonstration ~ Jason A. Thon, Nathaniel E. Larm, Yahor Vazmitsel, and Gary A. Baker

Dyeing to Degrade: A Bioplastics Experiment for College and High School Classrooms ~ Cassandra M. Knutson, Abby P. Hilker, Zachary P. Tolstyka, Constance B. Anderson, Perry A. Wilbon, Robert T. Mathers, Michael T. Wentzel, Angela L. Perkins, and Jane E. Wissinger

Investigating the Influence of Light Source and Natural Antioxidants on Food Dye Degradation Rate by Fenton Reaction ~ Bárbara Rezende Gonçalves and Priscila Pereira Silva-Caldeira

Vitamin C as a Model for a Novel and Approachable Experimental Framework for Investigating Spectrophotometry ~ Paula A. Angarita-Rivera, Devan B. Gabbard, Kegan A. Main, Katherine M. Timmermann, Karla B. Kinkade, Kristy J. Wilson, and Colleen L. Doçi

Investigating the Shape and Size-Dependent Optical Properties of Silver Nanostructures Using UV–vis Spectroscopy ~ Amirmostafa Amirjani, Niloofar Namazi Koochak, and Davoud Fatmehsari Haghshenas

Comparing Spectroscopic Techniques, Instruments, and Sample Analysis in a Guided Inquiry Lab to Promote Students’ Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Abilities ~ Daniel Scott and Cole Hilt

Matrix Effect Corrections in X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry ~ Chris Bowers

Low-Cost Turbidimeter, Colorimeter, and Nephelometer for the Student Laboratory ~ Marin Kovačić and Danijela Ašperger

Discovery-Based Laboratories

Mass-Based Approach to the Determination of the Henry’s Law Constant for CO2(g) Using a Diet Carbonated Beverage ~ Frazier Nyasulu, Rebecca Barlag, Lauren McMills, and Phyllis Arthasery

Microwave-Assisted Isolation of Eugenol from Cloves ~ Kenneth R. Overly

Discovery-Based SNAr Experiment in Water Using Micellar Catalysis ~ Evan B. Landstrom, Meghan Nichol, Bruce H. Lipshutz, and Morgan J. Gainer

Experimenting with a Suzuki–Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reaction That Demonstrates Tolerance toward Aldehyde Groups To Teach Undergraduate Students the Fundamentals of Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Reactions ~ Jie Dai, Dadong Lu, Tao Ye, Shouyun Yu, and Xu Cheng

Innovations in Teaching

Integrating Scale-Themed Instruction across the General Chemistry Curriculum ~ Jaclyn M. Trate, Peter Geissinger, Anja Blecking, and Kristen L. Murphy

Activating Students’ Prior Knowledge Using a Bridge Activity as an Initial Interactive Discussion in a Flipped Organic Chemistry Course ~ Jaclyn J. Stewart and Gregory R. Dake

Crossing Floors: Developing an Interdisciplinary CURE between an Environmental Toxicology Course and an Analytical Chemistry Course ~ Jamie K. Lau, Madison Paterniti, and Kristina R. Stefaniak

Facilitating an International Research Experience Focused on Applied Nanotechnology and Surface Chemistry for American Undergraduate Students Collaborating with Mentors at a German Educational and Research Institution ~ Christina Wilson, Michael Hirtz, Pavel A. Levkin, Arin L. Sutlief, and Andrea E. Holmes

Can We Compare Attitude Scores among Diverse Populations? An Exploration of Measurement Invariance Testing to Support Valid Comparisons between Black Female Students and Their Peers in an Organic Chemistry Course ~ Guizella A. Rocabado, Nancy A. Kilpatrick, Suazette R. Mooring, and Jennifer E. Lewis

Chemistry Teacher Experiences

Chemistry Teacher Isolation, Contextual Characteristics, and Student Performance ~ Linda Padwa, Angela M. Kelly, and Keith Sheppard

Exploratory Study of the Impact of a Teaching Methods Course for International Teaching Assistants in an Inquiry-Based General Chemistry Laboratory ~ Lindsay Wheeler, Hannah Sturtevant, and Frackson Mumba

AcademiNext: Mentoring the Next Generation of Chemistry Faculty ~ Rebecca M. Broyer and Jessica Parr

Foundations of Chemistry

Introduction to Electron Transfer: Theoretical Foundations and Pedagogical Examples ~ Eric J. Piechota and Gerald J. Meyer

Representation of Three-Center–Two-Electron Bonds in Covalent Molecules with Bridging Hydrogen Atoms ~ Gerard Parkin

Effects of Macromolecular Crowding on Biochemical Systems ~ Todd P. Silverstein and Kristin Slade

From the Archive: Infrared Imaging

This issue includes an activity on Smartphone Visualization of Thermal Phenomena with Thermal Imaging Accessories by Xinhua Xu, Meifen Wu, and Xiaogang Wang.Other interesting explorations of infrared and near-infrared imaging in past issues include:

Visualizing Chemistry with Infrared Imaging ~ Charles Xie

Exploring Thermal Effects and Behaviors of Chemical Substances Using an Infrared Camera ~ Choun Pei Wong and R. Subramaniam

Improvements to the Whoosh Bottle Rocket Car Demonstration ~ Dean J. Campbell, Felicia A. Staiger, and Chaitanya N. Jujjavarapu

Adapted-Consumer-Technology Approach to Making Near-Infrared-Reflectography Visualization of Paintings and Murals Accessible to a Wider Audience ~ Alexa Torres and McKenzie A. Floyd

Inexpensive, Near-Infrared Imaging of Artwork Using a Night-Vision Webcam for Chemistry-of-Art Courses ~ Gregory D. Smith, Elizabeth Nunan, Claire Walker, and Dan Kushel

On ChemEdX: AACT Science Coaches ~ Lauren Stewart 

Let JCE Be Your Mentor

Explore ideas for teaching and learning of chemistry in the 96 volumes of the Journal of Chemical Education —including the articles mentioned above. Articles that are edited and published online ahead of print (ASAP—As Soon As Publishable) are also available. (For more information on how to access the  articles cited above, see Deanna Cullen’s post on Accessing Cited Articles.)

Do you have something to share? Write it up for the Journal! For example, consider submitting a contribution to the Special Issue on Chemical Safety Education: Methods, Culture, and Green Chemistry (submission deadline: February 3, 2020). Erica Jacobsen’s Commentary provides excellent advice about becoming an author. In addition, numerous author resources are available on JCE’s ACS Web site, including Author Guidelines and Document Templates. In addition, the ACS Publishing Center, has resources for preparing and reviewing manuscripts for ACS journals.