PVEducation.org: A resource for teaching solid-state chemistry and photovoltaics

Submitted by Kate Plass / Franklin & Marshall College on Tue, 06/30/2015 - 13:49
Description

This is a website that teaches students about various aspects of pn-junction photovoltaics, from basics about solar illumination, to solid state chemistry, to PV module design. There are numerous animations demonstrating facets of solid-state chemistry and light absorption. Here I will describe how I have used sections 3.1 Basics and 3.2 Generation in Inorganic Chemistry in the context of a specific laboratory application, but the site could have many more uses.

Teaching and Learning Package Library from University of Cambridge

Submitted by Vanessa / Albion College on Mon, 06/29/2015 - 15:56
Description

This is a resource that has short, animated tutorials on a variety of different topics. Most of the topics are materials science and/or engineering topics but there are several that would be of interest to chemistry students. (A full list of topics is given below.)

Gummies and Toothpicks Point Group Determination Activity

Submitted by Darren Achey / Kutztown University on Mon, 06/29/2015 - 15:50
Description

In this activity, students will use gummies and toothpicks to construct models of molecules that will then be analyzed for their symmetry elements, and ultimately placed into the correct point group and the models can then be consumed.

High Energy Density Materials: Bond enthalpy and safety considerations (Christe)

Submitted by Kevin Hoke / Berry College on Mon, 06/29/2015 - 15:00
Description

This is a shorter version of a previously published Learning Object. This version focuses on bond enthalpy calculations and has students think about the risks and safety precautions for the synthesis of an explosive material (nitrogen triiodide). 

There is also a longer version of this activity posted as a literature dicussion.

Copper Oxide Crystal Growth

Submitted by Ellen Steinmiller / University of Dallas on Mon, 06/29/2015 - 14:49
Description

Students in a 2nd year inorganic class read an article describing the effect of additives on the final morphology of copper oxide. (Siegfried, M.J., and Choi, K-S, “Elucidating the Effect of Additives on the Growth and Stability of Cu2O Surfaces via Shape Transformation of Pre-Grown Crystals”J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2006, 128 (32), pp 10356–10357.  dx.doi.org/10.1021/ja063574y).

Use of Toulmin’s Argumentation Scheme in Explaining Inorganic Chemistry:

Submitted by Kate Plass / Franklin & Marshall College on Mon, 06/29/2015 - 14:26
Description

This is a presentation to introduce students to Toulmin’s Argumentation Scheme in the context of providing explanations in Inorganic Chemistry. It was inspired by discussions with Rick Moog at Franklin & Marshall College regarding how to encourage students to fully explain the “why” behind chemical behavior, rather than simply cite trends or equations. These slides were used to prompt a discussion about what a complete, logical explanation should include. They also served as a means of defining what is expected on quizzes and exams in response to various prompts.

Bi-weekly literature discussion with ASAP alerts

Submitted by Dave / Saint Michael's College on Mon, 06/29/2015 - 14:23
Description

This assignment introduces students to the various sub-disciplines of Inorganic chemistry and requires them to examine the current literature throughout the semester.  The assignment is introduced the first day of class as part of a discussion on the breadth of inorganic chemistry. I review the journals published by the American Chemical Society and discuss which contain papers related to inorganic chemistry.

Introduction to Miller Indices

Submitted by Vanessa / Albion College on Mon, 06/29/2015 - 14:22
Description

Towards the end of the semester, when we were starting to read more of the primary literature, I realized that the Miller Indices were present in most of the papers that I wanted to discuss. However, I couldn't find any good resources in textbooks that would help to explain what these were. I found this online resource through the University of Cambridge that is engaging, interactive and concise.