Degree Name

MS (Master of Science)

Program

Chemistry

Date of Award

8-2008

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Chu-Ngi Ho

Committee Members

Aimee Govett, Jeffrey G. Wardeska

Abstract

The science education system currently in place in the United States does not adequately prepare students to compete well with international students. The development of new teaching methods is essential to ensure improvement of the system and provide its students with better scholastic achievements and employment opportunities. Various methods have been studied, with one implemented in a high school classroom to compare the results of the new method with the traditional method of instruction. Rather than the traditional lecture-based approach, Honors Chemistry students learned the theory of the gas laws using inquiry-based methods and hands-on activities. The students were then evaluated using the same assessment as in previous years where instruction was more direct. Preliminary results indicate a 3% increase in the final assessment score using the inquiry method rather than the straight lecture approach.

Document Type

Thesis - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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