Microscale Educational Kits for Learning Chemistry at Home

Abstract

Educational kits can improve the teaching of experimental sciences, providing an interesting strategy to be explored at home, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this sense, chemistry kits based on a microscale design were developed encompassing safety, portability, efficacy, and low cost. They were successfully applied in regular classes and distance learning courses at the University of Saõ Paulo. This article provides the basic guidelines and is complemented with details and examples in the Supporting Information. The kits are adaptable to all levels of teaching, from elementary school to the university. Their application aims to enhance the student skills and interest in science.

Profile of Students’ Scientific Attitudes Through Practicum Activities Using Student E-Worksheet Based Chemicals at Home

“…In line with the previous research, the at-home-based laboratory experiment can improve lab work skills and students' learning motivation (Destino & Cunningham, 2020). The previous study also stated that one of the strategies to improve the students' skills and interest in science during a pandemic is the application of educational kits that can be explored at home (Toma, 2021). The spirit/motivation of students in science learning gives an impact on their interest in science so this will improve students' scientific attitude.…”

Reassessing Undergraduate Polymer Chemistry Laboratory Experiments for Virtual Learning Environments

“… 41 , 42 Furthermore, take-home chemistry kits for high school, two-year community college, and university students from Brazil and the United States address issues with student access to supplies and tools while offering a safe and often inexpensive alternative to traditional lab experiments. 43 − 45 Overall, there is a consistent motif of kitchen chemistry in terms of learning objectives, such as the realistic learning experiences akin to hands-on laboratories, active engagement with small-scale experiments, and problem-solving during the experiment rather than reading from a recipe. Nevertheless, kitchen chemistry does not fully mimic a laboratory setting and associated safety considerations for laboratories whose objectives are primarily derived from the acquisition of technical skills (e.g., upper-level synthesis techniques).…”

“…Kitchen chemistry has become increasingly accessible and has been proven to reinforce fundamental concepts (e.g., spectroscopy, standard purification techniques) (see Table , VL-1–6). For example, several authors from the United States and Spain have reported the use of cell phones to aid kitchen chemistry experiments, namely, colorimetric and fluorescence analyses in high school and college (an R1 institute) chemistry courses. , Furthermore, take-home chemistry kits for high school, two-year community college, and university students from Brazil and the United States address issues with student access to supplies and tools while offering a safe and often inexpensive alternative to traditional lab experiments. − Overall, there is a consistent motif of kitchen chemistry in terms of learning objectives, such as the realistic learning experiences akin to hands-on laboratories, active engagement with small-scale experiments, and problem-solving during the experiment rather than reading from a recipe. Nevertheless, kitchen chemistry does not fully mimic a laboratory setting and associated safety considerations for laboratories whose objectives are primarily derived from the acquisition of technical skills (e.g., upper-level synthesis techniques).…”

Analytical determination of gold ions based on ranelate induced nanoparticle formation

“…Analytical Methods be further explored via spot tests, by reacting Au(III) ions and lithium ranelate in aqueous solution, and monitoring the nanoparticles with a smartphone colourimeter app. 21,22 The strategy provides not only a qualitative spot test assay specic to gold ions, but also the quantitative evaluation of gold ions with a smartphone, dispensing any sophisticated analytical equipment. As shown in Fig.…”