CHEM 2000/2002 Spring 1998

Experiments for the Elementary School Classroom

 

Dr. Perona

Office: S-215

Office hours: M, W,Th, F 10:10-11:08 and W, 2:30-3:30

Required materials

You will need the packet of laboratory experiment procedures for CHEM 2002. These are available on the World Wide Web. Go to wwwchem.csustan.edu and follow the links to Chem 2000/2002. A copy is available for copying, on reserve in the Library.

You will also need a pair of laboratory safety goggles. You can get these in the bookstore.

Schedule of Experiments:

week of September 6 Introduction and Lab Check-In
week of September 13

Analysis of the Colors of Inks
week of September 20 Polymers
week of September 27 Alka Seltzer
week of October 4 Surface Tension and Soap Bubbles
week of October 18 Conductivity of Solutions
weeks  October 25 and November 1 Unknown Substances
week of November 8 Heat of Combustion of Vegetable Oils
week of November 15 The Analysis of Foods for Starch and Vitamin C
week of November 22 Project: Development
week of November 29 Project: Development and Lab Check-Out
week of December 6 Project Presentations

 

Lab Notebook

The purpose of a lab notebook is to record four kinds of information that are needed if someone were to try and reproduce what you have done. They are:

1. Purpose Why are you doing the experiment? What questions (general or specific) are you trying to answer?

2. Procedure What methods are you using to answer these questions? Ifs not necessary to copy the experimental procedures in your notebook. You can simply tape your copy in the appropriate place. However, if you change any of the procedures, you should record these changes.

3. Results and Observations What did you observe? List the data you collect. For example, in the first experiment you will prepare several chromatograms. They can be taped into your notebook in the Results section of your write-up together with a complete identification of the sample being studied and the conditions used for each experiment. Often it is very efficient to record your results in a Table.

4. Conclusions This section is where the chenidst puts the answer(s) to the questions that are being studied. What conclusions can be drawn from the results? What results support your conclusions? In many of the experiments there are questions sprinkled about in the write-up. These are often a guide to drawing these conclusions and should be answered. If you are in doubt about any of the entries ask your instructor.

Most of what goes into your notebook will be entered while you are in the lab. But dont be concerned about how beautiful it is. You will probably spill chemicals on some pages, and some will undoubtedly be messy. We are concerned only that the four areas of information be entered accurately and are complete. In addition, there must be a TABLE OF CONTENTS. Writing in pencil is not acceptable. Use ink and cross out for changes you make.

Grading

This course is graded with letter grades using the +/- option. You may elect the CR/NC option by notifying Dr. Perona or Dr. Byrd (in writing) on or before the fourth class meeting.

You must do all of the experiments in order to receive a grade in the course.

Late Eperiments

The Department of Chemistry policy on lab reports will be used.  There will be a 2 point penalty for a report that is late by one day.  If a report is late by two to seven days the penalty is 5 points.  After one week late the penalty will be 10 points.

References

The books listed below are on Reserve in the Library and may be helpful in selecting a topic for your project.

  1. Experiments with Everyday Objects, by Goldstein-Jackson, Rudnick, Hyman.
  2. Science Magic, by McGill.
  3. 200 Illustrated Science Experiments for Children, by R.J. Brown.
  4. 333 Science Tricks and Experiments, by R.J. Brown.
  5. 333 More Science Tricks and Experiments, by R.J. Brown.
  6. Chemistry for Every Kid, by Van Cleve.
  7. How Scientists Find Out, by Schneider.
  8. Science Projects for Young People, by Barr.
  9. TOPS--Tested Overhead Projection Series, by Alyea.
  10. 47 Easy-To-Do Classic Science Experiments, by Provenzo and Provenzo.

 

Main Menu

comments to: jim@chem.csustan.edu or mike@chem.csustan.edu
09.03.99