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ERIC Number: EJ1208680
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Mar
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: N/A
Open-Source Laser-Cut-Model Kits for the Teaching of Molecular Geometry
Dean, Natalie L.; Ewan, Corrina; Braden, Douglas; McIndoe, J. Scott
Journal of Chemical Education, v96 n3 p495-499 Mar 2019
Comprehension of the 3D structure of objects usually represented in 2D is a critical part of understanding molecular geometries. The frequency with which students actually get hands-on with 3D molecular structures is often limited to a singular laboratory session. We sought to develop a set of molecular shapes that were inexpensive enough not only to deploy in a first-year laboratory setting but also to allow the students to take the set home with them to study at their leisure. Laser-cut acrylic parts in five colors were used, and each set could be quickly assembled into the 13 different molecular shapes commonly encountered at the first-year level. The set of shapes was attractive, useful, and easy and fast to fabricate, and they were appreciated by our students. All files have been released in an open-source format, so any interested parties can deploy these models as soon as they secure access to a suitable laser cutter.
Division of Chemical Education, Inc. and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Education; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A