ERIC Number: EJ1208680
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Mar
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
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Available Date: 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.
Descriptors: Science Instruction, Chemistry, Molecular Structure, Science Laboratories, Lasers, Elementary School Science, Middle Schools, Secondary School Science, College Science, Undergraduate Study, Manipulative Materials, High Schools, Geometric Concepts, Spatial Ability
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
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Author Affiliations: N/A