Using forensic science to teach non-majors about science and chemical principles

CHED 1681

Craig M. Teague, CTeague@cornellcollege.edu1, Charles A. Liberko, CLiberko@cornellcollege.edu1, and Jason C. Kolowski, JKolowski@ocme.nyc.gov2. (1) Department of Chemistry, Cornell College, 600 First Street SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314, (2) Department of Forensic Biology, Office of Chief Medical Examiner, 520 1st Ave., New York, NY 10016
We will present our experience in teaching a non-majors forensic science course at Cornell College. One goal of our department is to expose non-science majors to scientific thinking and analysis as well as the concepts of chemistry, and in this case, we chose forensic science as a way to motivate student interest. We will discuss innovative features of our approach, including having more than two instructors; teaching two forensic science courses—one for majors and one for non-majors—at the same time; having a working forensic scientist as an extended guest instructor; and relating real forensic science to that portrayed in the media. We will discuss the successes as well as the potential and actual pitfalls of our approach.
 

Building Connections to Non-Major's Chemistry
8:30 AM-11:35 AM, Wednesday, March 28, 2007 McCormick Place North -- Room N230A, Level 2, Oral

Division of Chemical Education

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