1. Charles Ophardt, Eugene Losey
Student-Performed Demonstrations: Laboratory Component for Non-Science Majors - January Term
Charles Ophardt, Eugene Losey
Elmhurst College, IL 60126

2. Overview College students: Prepare demonstrations
Prepare and Present Demonstration Shows to elementary students

3. Goals Provide college students opportunities:
Learn science concepts and principles
Non-traditional and innovative
Creative and stimulating
Hands-on
Provide elementary students with motivational opportunities to learn science

4. Goals
Provide elementary students with motivational opportunities to learn science

5. Objectives College students should be able to:
Explain science principles
Develop science process techniques in developing demos
Practice communication skills
Gain insights in teaching science at elementary level

6. Courses Audience: Non-science majors
Mostly pre-elementary education majors

7. CHM 290 - Science Demonstrations
January Term - one month
No General Education credit
Initial six hours lecture on principles
Prepare and test demonstrations
Receive one-on-one individual help on explanations

8. Lab Format Demonstration Selection
Books of compilations from previous classes
Published books and journal articles
Developing Elmhurst College web site
Outside Internet sites
Organize into groups of 5-7 students
Ensure cross section of demo selections
Avoid duplication
Select from among six favorites

9. Types of Demonstrations
Six Favorite Demos
Performed in every show
Hydrogen Balloon
Liquid Nitrogen
Polyurethane Foam
Nylon Rope
Solid Water
Elephant Toothpaste

10. Hydrogen Balloon

11. Polyurethane Foam

12. Nylon Rope

13. Liquid Nitrogen

14. Solid Water

15. Elephant Toothpaste

16. Categories of Demonstrations
Demos that use household vs. “lab” chemicals
Density
Gases and pressure
Twenty different uses of baking soda and vinegar
Solubility and Polarity
Simple reactions of elements
Acid-Base
Oxidation-Reduction
Double Replacement/Precipitation Reactions
Polymer reactions

17. Lab Format Demo Preparation Cycle
CHM 290 J-Term
Two 3 hour days - prepare and test 4 demos
First day - mainly preparation and testing
Second day - receive help on explanations
Prepare chemicals/glassware for shows
Store and transport chemicals in a plastic bin

18. Demonstration Write-Up Format
Title
Science Concepts
Materials and Pre-preparations
Directions to carry out demo
Introduction and Commentary
Explanation - college level
Appropriate grade level explanation
Safety
Waste Disposal
Reference

19. Preparation of a Poster
Drawings of Equipment and Observations
Simple concept
Names / Formulas / Equation

20. Practice Show Organized in a demonstration order Present practice show
Oral Presentation Rubric used for grading
Instructor and peers provide suggestions

21. Future Direction
Continue work with demo write-ups online with pictures
Cross reference demos to “vchembook”
Continue work on web site with concepts and explanations - “vchembook”
Contains core concepts with pictures and diagrams
Cross referenced to the demos