Open AccessFrom cook to chef: Facilitating the transition from recipe-driven to open-ended research-based undergraduate chemistry lab activities
Author(s) -
Anna Bertram,
E. Stephen Davies,
Ross M. Denton,
M. Jonathan Fray,
Kyle W. Galloway,
Michael W. George,
Katharine L. Reid,
Neil R. Thomas,
Rossana R. Wright
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
new directions in the teaching of physical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2051-3615
pISSN - 1740-9888
DOI - 10.29311/ndtps.v0i10.513
Subject(s) - recipe , mathematics education , bridge (graph theory) , chemistry , computer science , psychology , food science , medicine
This paper describes the development of mini-research projects in the third year practical chemistry course at the University of Nottingham for the MSci(Hons) Chemistry degree. The aim of these developments is to bridge the gap between ‘recipe-style’ experiments in the first and second year courses and research projects undertaken in the fourth year or in industry. There is much evidence that, having been given this opportunity to plan and design their own experiment, students exhibit higher-order cognitive skills, which can lead to a more valuable learning experience.