In and out of lab: A case study of the traditional undergraduate laboratory

CHED 1546

Cianán B Russell, cianan@purdue.edu and Gabriela C. Weaver, gweaver@purdue.edu. Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47906
The undergraduate laboratory is an essential part of US undergraduate science education. Science educators, especially in recent years, have made clear that the current verification-based laboratory curriculum leaves much room for improvement in pedagogy and content. A useful component of the improvement process is attempting to fully understand the starting point. As such, this study presents a case study of a traditional, verification-based undergraduate laboratory curriculum and its effects on students' attitudes about their course, understanding of the nature of science, and laboratory content retention. Both qualitative and quantitative data will be discussed.