Synthesis of Green Fluorescent Protein Chromophore Analogues for Interdisciplinary Learning for High School Students

Abstract

Interdisciplinary outreach activities with easy-to-implement experiments have been developed to enhance high school students’ interest in chemistry and their inquisitive minds with active learning strategies. The synthesis of a model chromophore of the green fluorescent protein was employed as a key motif. Students simply enjoyed observing changes in the substances as well as witnessing a variety of fluorescent emissions. They gradually realized the importance of molecular design in the understanding and development of chemistry, biology, physics, and medicine.

Connecting Chemistry to Mathematics by Establishing the Relationship between Conductivity and Concentration in an Interdisciplinary, Computer-Based Project for High School Chemistry Students

“…To foster a new generation of innovators with broad vision and strong curiosity, it is essential to develop interdisciplinary activities using simple and accessible methods as a bridge for students to engage in scientific research. 6 Interdisciplinary courses not only enable students to understand the interapplication of different disciplines but also to think about whether what they are learning could have more applications elsewhere.…”

“…Interdisciplinary refers to the generation of new concepts and theories by integrating concepts, methods, and theoretical frameworks of different disciplines, so as to generate new insights and understandings of problems encountered in scientific research . The goal of making connections between different disciplines has led to many courses that have linked chemistry to other fields, such as biology, geology, philosophy, art, forensic science, industry, or the environment. − Through the study of interdisciplinary courses, students understand the role of one subject in another, which may provide them with new approaches and new ideas to solve problems.…”

“…For example, the case of combining mathematics with chemistry can be easily found in college. − But at the high school level, students need more interdisciplinary courses to help with the understanding of various subjects and to enable students to develop more problem-solving approaches. To foster a new generation of innovators with broad vision and strong curiosity, it is essential to develop interdisciplinary activities using simple and accessible methods as a bridge for students to engage in scientific research . Interdisciplinary courses not only enable students to understand the interapplication of different disciplines but also to think about whether what they are learning could have more applications elsewhere.…”