CHED 144 |
| Using the primary literature, demonstrating the ability to learn independently, and writing clearly are all abilities we want to cultivate in our students. I have been using an assignment in my advanced inorganic chemistry course that incorporates all of these. The students write a letter nominating a chemist for the ACS Award in Inorganic Chemistry. In selecting a candidate, students need to explore the primary literature to identify an appropriate nominee. After their selection is approved, they read several papers by their candidate to gain modest mastery of the candidate's chemistry. Students often contact their candidates and are thrilled by the resulting correspondence. The writing of the letter involves multiple drafts. Oral presentations are the culminating activity. The assignment has generated excitement for learning new chemistry. Over the years I've used the assignment, several of the student selected nominees have subsequently won ACS awards, including the inorganic award. |
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Chemical Information and Chemical Information Education in the Electronic Age
8:30 AM-11:30 AM, Monday, 11 September 2006 San Francisco Marriott -- Salon 11, Oral
Division of Chemical Education |