Electron Transfer through a Photosynthetic Reaction Center

Submitted by Levi Ekanger / The College of New Jersey on Thu, 09/07/2023 - 16:23
Description

This is a computer-based activity intended for a bioinorganic chemistry course composed of upper-level undergraduate students. It is helpful for students to be familiar with concepts of electron transfer, including a surface-level introduction to Marcus theory and the inverted region, and photosynthetic charge separation before beginning this activity. However, this activity can easily be adapted to students with other levels of preparation in a bioinorganic course.

SLiThEr #52: Warming up for Inorganic- Helping students remember what we think they should already know

Submitted by Taylor Haynes / California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo on Fri, 09/01/2023 - 13:12
Description

In this SLiThEr, Sarah St. Angelo from Dickinson College shares some of her strategies for helping students remember concepts and skills from prior coursework that they "should" remember before her junior/senior inorganic course. Student-led review presentations, LMS-based warm-up topics and quiz, and a rapid collaborative recollection of models of bonding help Sarah's students remember important ideas and take ownership of their learning from early in the semester.

The short game

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Thu, 08/31/2023 - 17:09
Description

I am currently in the process of teaching flipped General Chemistry I for the second time. The first time I did it, I do not think I did a great job of 'selling' the students on this modality of learning. I received some very negative student comments including one that suggested this was just a lazy method of teaching. So, I've made some changes the second time, in particular my pitch of the idea.

SLiThEr #54: Applying for Faculty Positions at PUIs

Submitted by Sarah Shaner / Southeast Missouri State University on Wed, 08/30/2023 - 17:53
Description

In this SLiThEr, Amanda Reig (Ursinus College), Caleb Tatebe (Presbyterian College), and Ariela Kaspi-Kaneti (University of La Verne) discuss the process of applying for PUI faculty positions from both the point of view of the search committee and the recently hired.

Collaborative Point Group "Escape Room" Competition

Submitted by Joya Cooley / California State University, Fullerton on Tue, 08/08/2023 - 19:29
Description

This is a digital "escape room" where students determine point groups of molecules and answer follow-up questions to determine four digits. The four digits can be used to unlock a physical lockbox which is brought to class with small prizes inside.

SLiThEr #50: Experiential Learning in Large Lecture Chemistry Courses: Mission Impossible

Submitted by Kari Stone / Lewis University on Tue, 07/25/2023 - 10:19
Description

The idea of providing experiential learning experiences in lecture sections of 150+ students can seem impossible.  While more traditional internships or field work may be out of reach with these enrollments, less traditional, but still impactful options exist.  We will discuss the general idea of experiential learning and provide some examples of how we have incorporated this idea into our general and inorganic courses, addressing both content and the course structure and support that can be helpful.