Service learning in chemistry, an oxymoron in the neutral physical sciences?

ANYL 276

Alanah Fitch, afitch@luc.edu, Department of Chemistry, Loyola University Chicago, 1068 W. Sheridan, Chicago, IL 60626
This talk will present some highlights of incorporating service learning into the upper chemistry curriculum, particularly the instrumental analysis class. The value of incorporating service learning from both the point of view as a educational tool and as generation of data of value to the community will be addressed as separate issues. In particular, specific issues related to sharing data with short term interest groups as opposed to long lived organizations will be highlighted. Several case scenarios ranging from individual home owners to after school elementary science clubs are reviewed. Finally the author, shares updates on efforts to share instrumentation globally with analytical chemists in East Africa. Some of the "ownership" issues that arise during service learning with undergraduate students and community organizations present themselves in sharing of large data bases generated with open access instrumentation.