ERIC Number: EJ1119577
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Nov
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Using a Deliberation of Energy Policy as an Educational Tool in a Nonmajors Chemistry Course
Drury, Sara A. Mehltretter; Stucker, Kyle; Douglas, Anthony; Rush, Ryan A.; Novak, Walter R. P.; Wysocki, Laura M.
Journal of Chemical Education, v93 n11 p1879-1885 Nov 2016
A central goal of nonmajors chemistry courses is to instill within students the sense that chemistry does not occur in a vacuum but rather permeates everyday life. To encourage students to consider chemistry within the broader context of society and public policy, a week-long module in a survey course for nonmajors was designed to connect scientific principles and energy policy. This module featured a deliberative discussion to facilitate students' evaluation and consideration of multiple viewpoints, rigorously examining different perspectives, trade-offs, benefits, and values represented in multiple alternatives. Our results demonstrate that this approach was highly impactful, resulting in several significant positive outcomes, including a deeper awareness of the connection between chemistry and other disciplines, an increased level of understanding and confidence in their knowledge, and a greater sense of urgency regarding energy policy.
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Nonmajors, College Science, Science Instruction, Energy, Chemistry, Scientific Concepts, Relevance (Education), Science and Society, Public Policy, Learning Modules, Perspective Taking, Teaching Methods, Interdisciplinary Approach, Problem Solving, Science Process Skills, Science Activities, Student Surveys, Outcomes of Education, Qualitative Research, Likert Scales, Statistical Analysis
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 - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Indiana
Grant or Contract Numbers: 1503919
Author Affiliations: N/A