SLiThEr #15: "Inclusivity in Inorganic Courses And Beyond"

Submitted by Kyle Grice / DePaul University on Sat, 02/06/2021 - 13:44
Description

This is the link to the 15th SLiThEr (Supporting Learning with Interactive Teaching: a Hosted, Engaging Roundtable), presented by Drs. Abby O'Connor and Benny Chan from the The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). The SLiThEr was recorded and posted on YouTube (see the web resources link).

This particular roundtable was presented by two faculty at TCNJ about how they have been working on improving inclusivity in inorganic chemistry and beyond at TCNJ! 

Resolution of Werner complexes -- the COVID edition

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Fri, 02/05/2021 - 12:44
Description

This is a classic experiment that has been revised and updated numerous times over the years. The experiment can be found in Girolami, Rauchfuss and Angelici, 3rd edition, but that edition removed some purification steps that were present in the earlier edition which has plagued generations of my students with poor resolution of the enantiomers. Marion Cass published a J. Chem. Educ. article in 2015 that included a pH determination and added back in the recrystallization step. This allowed my students to achieve higher yields and greater resolution in Spring 2020.

SLiThEr #14: The Student Experience in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Thu, 01/21/2021 - 13:20
Description

This is the link to the 14th SLiThEr (Supporting Learning with Interactive Teaching: a Hosted, Engaging Roundtable), presented by Sydney Towell and Reilly Gwinn and Hosted by Chip Nataro. The SLiThEr was recorded and posted on YouTube (see the web resources link).

This particular roundtable was presented by two senior undergraduate on their experiences during the pandemic. In addition to talking about the challenges or remote learning and research, they also discuss applying to graduate school and the apprehension they face making a decision without visiting the schools.

metal acac complexes the COVID 19 version

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Mon, 01/18/2021 - 16:56
Description

For our virtual offering of inorganic chemistry laboratory at Harvey Mudd College in Spring 2021, I made some videos and collected some high quality data (IR, 1H NMR, MS, UV-Vis, mp, and X-ray diffraction) that I will make available for my students. The videos show the synthesis of Co and Mn acacs, the difference between as-prepared and recrystallized compounds, making solutions for UV-Vis and Evans method NMR, and making Evans method capillary tubes. The procedures for the synthesis of these compounds is found in Woolins (either the first or second editions). 

Linkage Photoisomerization of SO2 Bound to Osmium

Submitted by Nicole Crowder / University of Mary Washington on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 16:34
Description

In this literature discussion, students are asked to explore the chemistry behind a eta-1 to eta-2 linkage photoisomer of sulfur dioxide bound to pentammine osmium. There are questions that tie to chemical structure and the nature of the two bonding modes of the ligand as well as an examination of the spectroscopic properties of the complex in the solid state. Two of the questions ask students to draw some conclusions based on their knowledge of periodic trends and the sigma donor ability of ligands.

Introduction to batteries

Submitted by Abby O'Connor / The College of New Jersey on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 13:56
Description

A little more than 5 slides.... but hey batteries are important! Often there are not good slides available to introduce batteries, broadly, so I went a made them! These slides were also created to accompany the LO on redox flow batteries. This set of slides reviews alkaline batteries introduced in general chemistry and transitions to more modern approaches to batteries including lithium ion batteries and redox flow batteries. This work highlights the 2019 Nobel Prize work for lithium ion batteries.

Presenting Results as a Research Brief

Submitted by Meghan Porter / Indiana University on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 13:13
Description

The activity allows students to present the results and analysis of a lab experiment in the form a research brief.  Students have the option to create a written brief or record themselves giving the brief as a PowerPoint presentation.

Peer Review Practicum

Submitted by Shirley Lin / United States Naval Academy on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 13:01
Description

This multi-part LO is a hybrid consisting of an in-class activity and a literature discussion. It utilizes the article "How to Review a Paper" by Igor V.

Green Chemistry and Redox Flow Batteries

Submitted by Abby O'Connor / The College of New Jersey on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 10:56
Description

This paper in Chemical Science written by Ellen Matson and co-workers describes a structure function approach to improving the properties of non-aqueous redox flow batteries based upon polyoxovanadate-alkoxides (POV-alkoxides). Given the importance of battery technology on society and sustainable chemistry, this article allows students to engage with a paper that could have broad implications in society.

SLiThEr #13: Making Chemistry Worthwhile for the Non-Chemist

Submitted by Kari Stone / Lewis University on Thu, 12/31/2020 - 12:21
Description

This is the link to the 13th SLiThEr (Supporting Learning with Interactive Teaching: a Hosted, Engaging Roundtable), presented by Meghan Porter and Hosted by Chip Nataro. The SLiThEr was recorded and posted on YouTube (see the web resources link).

This particular roundtable focused on a reimagination of chemistry lab courses in the Age Of COVID and how to make chemistry relevant to non-chemists.

The links to the other SLiThErs can be found in the SLiThEr Collection: 

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