Abstract: Students use Tinker toys® to construct a model of a three-dimensional object (various stuffed animals). Each person selects 25 random Tinker toys® pieces and begin as an individual builder for 5 minutes. Students then pair up and build a new model for trial 2. Trial three will use groups of 4 students. The final… [Read More]
Retrieve the Food
Abstract: The activity has teams of students attempting to retrieve a cup of chocolates that is just out of reach using a limited number of items that are available to them. They may combine the items in any way they choose but they may not touch the cup with any part of their body. There… [Read More]
RCR Ethics Case Studies
Abstract: Class begins with a brief introduction to ethical decision making in science and principles of responsible conduct of research. Have the students read the case study scenario then lead a student discussion on the pros and cons of each option until the students reach a consensus or vote on a response. This can be… [Read More]
Pit Trading
Abstract: In this activity the students and instructor played the Pit trading game. In this game the player who reaches 500 points is the “winner”. This takes several hands of play to accomplish. At the sound of the “opening bell” players became a trader trying to corner the market on one of 5 commodities (worth… [Read More]
Needle in a Haystack
Abstract: Students work in small teams to develop a method to analyze for needles in haystacks, with creativity greatly encouraged. They are told to make any reasonable assumptions needed about the chemical nature of both needles and haystacks, but to articulate them. This works both as an analogy for the basic task in analytical chemistry,… [Read More]
A Jump and A Jerk
Abstract: This project simulates a request from a client to complete a “task” which involves an analysis of a data set containing any of the following -general first order theory, linear equations of higher order, series solutions, the Laplace transform, or numerical methods. Students work as a group on this project which is intentionally not… [Read More]
Finish That Puzzle!
Abstract: Each team of students is given a box of puzzle pieces. Each puzzle has the majority of its own puzzle pieces but also has puzzle pieces from other puzzles. For a few of teams, the wrong puzzle box top is included so they have the wrong picture. One team may also have no box at… [Read More]
Team Resume Activity
Abstract: During the first week of the semester, students were given 30 minutes to meet with a newly developed team and produce a team resume. This team would work the entire semester on a lab project. This activity provided a means for students to get to know each other and begin to recognize the collaborative… [Read More]