A Cost-Effective Physical Modeling Exercise To Develop Students’ Understanding of Covalent Bonding

Turner, Kristy L.

doi:10.1021/acs.jchemed.5b00981

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 11 publications

(9 reference statements)

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“…For this demonstration, the interlocking building brick colors were selected according to the CPK (Corey–Pauling–Koltun) , model (Table ). CPK model colors have been used in a variety of digital and hands-on molecular modeling projects from 3D printed electron density models, to models built with crafting materials, and a new learning experience where students design “imaginary” color coded flags for depicting molecules (using the designated CPK colors) . In addition to using the CPK model and RGB values from an online source for selecting the color of the purchased interlocking brick, another selection parameter was based on valence shell electron count (Table , Figure ).…”

Section: A “Perceive” Demonstration (With Interlocking Bricks): Valen...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Interlocking Toy Bricks Help Nursing Students “Handle” Valence Electrons, Molarity, Solubility, and More!

Mahaffey

2023

J. Chem. Educ.

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For decades, chemical modeling sets have allowed the user to manipulate atoms and bonds using plastic/wooden ball and stick materials. Here is a design for an interlocking toy brick modeling set in which the undergraduate nursing student can manipulate electrons during the simulated chemical bonding exercise. The author presents a teaching and learning activity/demonstration designed to help undergraduate nursing (BSN) students both visualize and physically manipulate (“handle”) abstract chemical education topics such as valence shell electrons and molarity (with manipulatives for solubility rules) of salts, acids, and bases in a chemistry for health professions didactic course, as an effort to increase comprehension of these chemical education topics. This learning tool was one in a series of newly coined “PERCEIVE” (Preparing Engaging Real-time Chemical Education Interactive and Visual Examples) chemical education demonstrations, where BSN students prepare engaging demonstrations, while working in groups. The preparation (building) step allows students to get a “handle” on how the chemistry concept works. Afterward the newly prepared demonstrations are utilized as examples for chemical education and chemistry in health topicshence, the “PERCEIVE” acronym. This publication outlines: (i) Connections between Molarity and Solubility in modern healthcare practices, (ii) The method and materials for using interlocking toy bricks selected according to CPK color-scheme for modeling valence shell electrons (based on Bohr models), (iii) Solubility rules, (iv) Molarity (and calculations), and (v) Results from anonymous pre- and postqualitative student questionnaires. Student responses indicated a marked increase in the ability to calculate molarity in different volumes (1 L vs 500 mL) postdemonstration. Additional qualitative surveys were conducted, and the results highlighted more than 90% of 152 respondents endorsed the continued implementation of this demo in subsequent chemistry for health professions courses.

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Section: A “Perceive” Demonstration (With Interlocking Bricks): Valen...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Interlocking Toy Bricks Help Nursing Students “Handle” Valence Electrons, Molarity, Solubility, and More!

Mahaffey

2023

J. Chem. Educ.

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“…o Ping-pong balls [ 3 ], rubber balloons [ 4 ], bottle caps [ 5 , 6 ], whiteboard markers [ 7 ] or other materials [ 8 – 14 ] (Repurposing available materials)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A virtual alternative to molecular model sets: a beginners’ guide to constructing and visualizing molecules in open-source molecular graphics software

Phankingthongkum

Limpanuparb

2021

BMC Res Notes

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Objective The application of molecular graphics software as a simple and free alternative to molecular model sets for introductory-level chemistry learners is presented. Results Based on either Avogadro or IQmol, we proposed four sets of tasks for students, building basic molecular geometries, visualizing orbitals and densities, predicting polarity of molecules and matching 3D structures with bond-line structures. These topics are typically covered in general chemistry for first-year undergraduate students. Detailed step-by-step procedures are provided for all tasks for both programs so that instructors and students can adopt one of the two programs in their teaching and learning as an alternative to molecular model sets.

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“…Several of the 98 CPK colors refer mnemonically to colors of the pure elements or 99 notable compounds (hydrogen is a colorless gas; carbon, as 100 charcoal, graphite, or coke, is black; sulfur powder is yellow; 101 chlorine is a greenish gas; etc.). This molecular model is typically 102 used by students in introductory organic chemistry courses to 103 represent bonds and atoms with small plastic polygons or 104 spheres, 69,70 and the models are helpful when students are 105 learning about molecular geometry and stereochemistry. This 106 paper describes an activity to link national flags to simple 107 chemical molecules of the same color (according to the CPK 108 code) in order to make students manipulate geography and 109 chemical concepts simultaneously.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fun with Flags and Chemistry

Coudret

Dietrich

2020

J. Chem. Educ.

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The purpose of this study is to present a learning activity that combines the simultaneous practice of geography and chemistry. It is a game activity based on the identification of national flags and colored molecules (from the famous CPK model), with an extension to the creation of imaginary flags from real, useful molecules for middle school, high school, and university classrooms. The goal of using a game is to motivate/involve learners, to encourage them to work and develop adaptability and responsiveness by practicing chemistry and geography components. The feedback received from students who participated in this exercise during the 2019−2020 academic year has been evaluated and shows an increase of motivation and critical thinking. The objective is to make students more aware of geopolitics, to engage discussion on their awareness of the world, and to prepare them to play an active role in it.

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A Cost-Effective Physical Modeling Exercise To Develop Students’ Understanding of Covalent Bonding

Cited by 9 publications

References 11 publications

Interlocking Toy Bricks Help Nursing Students “Handle” Valence Electrons, Molarity, Solubility, and More!

Interlocking Toy Bricks Help Nursing Students “Handle” Valence Electrons, Molarity, Solubility, and More!

A virtual alternative to molecular model sets: a beginners’ guide to constructing and visualizing molecules in open-source molecular graphics software

Fun with Flags and Chemistry

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