Cyber-enabled access for high school classrooms into national user facilities: Enhancing education and research in environmental chemistry

CHED 124

Mirza I. Beg, mbeg@notes.cc.sunysb.edu1, Paul Northrup2, Scott Bronson3, Ken White3, Jen Clodius3, Adriana Adler4, Janet Kaczmarek4, and Richard J. Reeder, rjreeder@notes.cc.sunysb.edu5. (1) Center for Environmental Molecular Science, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-2100, (2) Environmental Sciences Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973-5000, (3) Office of Educational Programs, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973-5000, (4) Sayville High School, West Sayville, NY 11796, (5) Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-2100
The web-based Virtual Room Videoconferencing System (VRVS) was used to establish real-time interaction between a high school chemistry classroom and an X-ray absorption spectroscopy beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS), Brookhaven National Laboratory. The computer-based video and audio conferencing systems allowed students to view and participate in experiments performed by their own teachers, with the assistance of NSLS beamline personnel. As part of a class research project, students monitored the environmental chemistry of wetlands. Samples were collected for characterization of sulfur speciation through X-ray absorption spectroscopy. High school teachers simultaneously conducted experiments and explained the procedures to students, who were able to ask questions during the experiments. Results were obtained and interpreted in real time. The project is being further developed for general implementation, and is supported by a partnership between Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory funded through the National Science Foundation.
 

General Posters
7:30 PM-9:30 PM, Sunday, March 25, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster

Sci-Mix
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Sci-Mix

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007