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Session 1451

Teaching Actinide Environmental Chemistry at Clemson University

James D. Navratil

Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Clemson University, 342 Computer Court, Anderson, SC 29625-6510

ABSTRACT A combination of teaching/presentation techniques was used in a new actinide environmental chemistry course to accommodate the various learning styles of the students. The course focused on the environmental, inorganic and process chemistry of the fascinating elements at the bottom of the periodic table. Lectures covered chemical and physical aspects of actinide metals and compounds (such as properties, structure and bonding, reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics), coordination and solution chemistry, behavior and speciation in the environment, separation and purification, chemistry of the nuclear fuel cycle and waste treatment and related topics. The lectures incorporated modern accelerated learning techniques, and class participation and special projects were emphasized to enhance student comprehension and learning of the subject. This paper will summarize these techniques and provide illustrations used in the class.

INTRODUCTION I believe that the process of learning and thinking is a complex combination of colors, pictures, scenarios, sounds and words. Multisensory ways of learning are effective since one stores auditory, visual and kinesthetic memories in different parts of the brain. Accordingly, I tried to use a combination of teaching techniques in an actinide environmental chemistry course that I developed and taught during the Fall of 2000 at Clemson University.

The course was listed for anyone desiring to learn more about the intriguing environmental management chemistry of the f-elements at the bottom of the periodic table, from history and fundamental concepts to recent applications and developments. It was available to graduate students who have taken mathematics through calculus, modern physics and general chemistry. The goal of the course was to use modern accelerated learning techniques and active student participation to learn the general chemical properties of the actinide elements related to their behavior in the environment, in processing and waste treatment, and in other significant applications.

Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition Copyright 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

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Navratil, J. (2002, June), Teaching Actinide Environmental Chemistry At Clemson University Paper presented at 2002 Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. 10.18260/1-2--11093