ERIC Number: EJ978939
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Sep
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1871-1502
EISSN: N/A
Using a Multicultural Approach to Teach Chemistry and the Nature of Science to Undergraduate Non-Majors
Goff, Peter; Boesdorfer, Sarah B.; Hunter, William
Cultural Studies of Science Education, v7 n3 p631-651 Sep 2012
This research documents the creation, implementation, and evaluation of a novel chemistry curriculum. The curriculum allowed students to create theories situated in a variety of cultures while they investigated chemical phenomena central to all civilizations; it was a way of synthesizing chemistry, the history and nature of science, inquiry, and multicultural education. Achieving both chemistry content and nature of science objectives were the main goals of the curriculum. A small sample of undergraduate students participated in the curriculum instead of attending a large lecture course. The novel curriculum covered the same chemistry topics as the large lecture course. Program efficacy was evaluated using a combination of grades, survey data, and interviews with the participating undergraduates. The results suggest that this curriculum was a successful start at engaging students and teaching them chemistry as well as nature of science concepts.
Descriptors: Science Education, Scientific Principles, Chemistry, Curriculum, Theories, History, Educational Objectives, Undergraduate Students, Interviews, Grades (Scholastic), Surveys, Science Instruction, Multicultural Education, Lecture Method
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A