Encouraging Student Engagement by Using a POGIL Framework for a Gas-Phase IR Physical Chemistry Laboratory Experiment

Abstract

A version of the classic rotationally resolved infrared (IR) spectrum of a diatomic molecule experiment has been developed using the POGIL framework to more fully engage students in the collection, modeling, analysis, and interpretation of the data. An analysis of the experimental protocol reveals that the POGIL approach actively engages students in scientific practices. The student learning objectives for this laboratory experiment are to (1) develop an energy level diagram and relate that diagram to rotational–vibrational spectra; (2) identify, describe, and interpret the molecular constants that can be extracted from gas-phase IR spectra; (3) discover the impact of spectral resolution on precision of molecular constants derived from the spectral data; and (4) use data to evaluate and refine quantum mechanical models. The learning cycles, analysis of student engagement with scientific practices, and reflections from instructors are described.

Coding with AI in the Physical Chemistry Laboratory

“…A potential drawback of this method is that students can continue to rely on the LLM to fix their code instead of learning how to interpret and correct it. This is true as well of approaches that give them code to modify or use. − At best, the LLM method may be more efficient as students do not have to spend as long looking up error messages in a general web search as they debug code. Indeed, every student asked the LLM to explain or correct at least one error message during the semester.…”

Coding with AI in the Physical Chemistry Laboratory

“…A potential drawback of this method is that students can continue to rely on the LLM to fix their code instead of learning how to interpret and correct it. This is true as well of approaches that give them code to modify or use. − At best, the LLM method may be more efficient as students do not have to spend as long looking up error messages in a general web search as they debug code. Indeed, every student asked the LLM to explain or correct at least one error message during the semester.…”

FTIR-SIS: A Fourier Transform Infrared Scientific Instrument Simulator

“…For more complicated molecules (asymmetric tops), third-party programs like PGOPHER or SPFIT/SPCAT could be used, or code could be developed in-house . Learning objectives of the analysis part of the lab will therefore vary somewhat, depending on the method used (e.g., see ref ). Learning objectives of the experimental part will also vary, depending on a number of considerations, such as the molecule that is under investigation and the parameters that students are encouraged to explore.…”

Experiences with an Inquiry-Based Ionic Liquid Module in an Undergraduate Physical Chemistry Laboratory

“…Instructors can use an inquiry-based lesson with a traditional class discussion to present new information or clarify the underlying principles of the laboratory explorations. 25 The POGIL workflow reported for physical chemistry laboratory (PCL) courses, the POGIL-PCL model, 26,27 along with other related POGIL activities 23,28 in the physical chemistry laboratory provide pathways for designing inquirybased laboratory modules on ionic liquids. However, executing the POGIL workflow as reported in the literature in the laboratory for ionic liquids is difficult for two reasons: (a) ionic liquid is not taught as a topic in the chemistry curriculum at Xavier University of Louisiana, which we assume is true for many other universities and (b) the characteristics of these liquids are not similar to traditional solvents which the students are accustomed to in their curriculum, particularly in laboratory practices.…”

Coding with AI in the Physical Chemistry Laboratory

“…A potential drawback of this method is that students can continue to rely on the LLM to fix their code instead of learning how to interpret and correct it. This is true as well of approaches that give them code to modify or use. − At best, the LLM method may be more efficient as students do not have to spend as long looking up error messages in a general web search as they debug code. Indeed, every student asked the LLM to explain or correct at least one error message during the semester.…”

FTIR-SIS: A Fourier Transform Infrared Scientific Instrument Simulator

“…For more complicated molecules (asymmetric tops), third-party programs like PGOPHER or SPFIT/SPCAT could be used, or code could be developed in-house . Learning objectives of the analysis part of the lab will therefore vary somewhat, depending on the method used (e.g., see ref ). Learning objectives of the experimental part will also vary, depending on a number of considerations, such as the molecule that is under investigation and the parameters that students are encouraged to explore.…”

Experiences with an Inquiry-Based Ionic Liquid Module in an Undergraduate Physical Chemistry Laboratory

“…Instructors can use an inquiry-based lesson with a traditional class discussion to present new information or clarify the underlying principles of the laboratory explorations. 25 The POGIL workflow reported for physical chemistry laboratory (PCL) courses, the POGIL-PCL model, 26,27 along with other related POGIL activities 23,28 in the physical chemistry laboratory provide pathways for designing inquirybased laboratory modules on ionic liquids. However, executing the POGIL workflow as reported in the literature in the laboratory for ionic liquids is difficult for two reasons: (a) ionic liquid is not taught as a topic in the chemistry curriculum at Xavier University of Louisiana, which we assume is true for many other universities and (b) the characteristics of these liquids are not similar to traditional solvents which the students are accustomed to in their curriculum, particularly in laboratory practices.…”

Coding with AI in the Physical Chemistry Laboratory

“…A potential drawback of this method is that students can continue to rely on the LLM to fix their code instead of learning how to interpret and correct it. This is true as well of approaches that give them code to modify or use. − At best, the LLM method may be more efficient as students do not have to spend as long looking up error messages in a general web search as they debug code. Indeed, every student asked the LLM to explain or correct at least one error message during the semester.…”

FTIR-SIS: A Fourier Transform Infrared Scientific Instrument Simulator

“…For more complicated molecules (asymmetric tops), third-party programs like PGOPHER or SPFIT/SPCAT could be used, or code could be developed in-house . Learning objectives of the analysis part of the lab will therefore vary somewhat, depending on the method used (e.g., see ref ). Learning objectives of the experimental part will also vary, depending on a number of considerations, such as the molecule that is under investigation and the parameters that students are encouraged to explore.…”

Experiences with an Inquiry-Based Ionic Liquid Module in an Undergraduate Physical Chemistry Laboratory

“…Instructors can use an inquiry-based lesson with a traditional class discussion to present new information or clarify the underlying principles of the laboratory explorations. 25 The POGIL workflow reported for physical chemistry laboratory (PCL) courses, the POGIL-PCL model, 26,27 along with other related POGIL activities 23,28 in the physical chemistry laboratory provide pathways for designing inquirybased laboratory modules on ionic liquids. However, executing the POGIL workflow as reported in the literature in the laboratory for ionic liquids is difficult for two reasons: (a) ionic liquid is not taught as a topic in the chemistry curriculum at Xavier University of Louisiana, which we assume is true for many other universities and (b) the characteristics of these liquids are not similar to traditional solvents which the students are accustomed to in their curriculum, particularly in laboratory practices.…”