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Using Technology Equipment to Teach Chemistry Laboratory Exercises in Community Colleges

Marilyn Barger, Elizabeth McCullough, Kathleen Carvalho

Hillsborough Community College/ Hillsborough Community College /University of South Florida St. Petersburg

Abstract

The drive to attract students into science and technology careers at all levels has led to creative programs and efforts across the country. At Hillsborough Community College in Tampa Florida, a new associate in science manufacturing technology degree program focused on high tech manufacturing processes and skills has been developed. The lab facilities include a high-end vacuum technology and systems laboratory. Training on the new equipment was offered to both the technology and science faculty members across the state as part of an NSF ATE grant. As a result of this vacuum system training, science faculty worked with technical faculty to develop several laboratory activities for general college chemistry and organic chemistry laboratories using the vacuum systems. Multiple stations allow the chemistry students to work in small groups as in any traditional chemistry laboratory. Student exposure with multiple chemistry experiments using the vacuum training equipment will provide reinforcement and comfort with the seemingly complicated equipment. The objective of the chemistry activities in the vacuum laboratory are to familiarize students with practical and real-life applications of the chemistry they learn in a pure science class in industrial type settings and to peak their interest in science and technology career paths. An overview of the chemistry demonstrations and experiments using the vacuum technology equipment will be provided in addition to the science student impressions to these alternative laboratories.

Background

There is no need to belabor the issue of decreasing enrollments in college and university mathematics, technology, science and engineering programs. There is a critical need for trained and educated workers in these areas in every part of the country. However, as a nation, there are fewer and fewer graduates from two- and four-year institutions earning degrees in science, engineering, technology and even business. Starting new programs to support new technologies, and maintaining a critical mass of students in important existing programs is a constant effort that requires significant time and energy in science, engineering and technology programs across the country.

There is a plethora of recruiting tips and tricks. This paper outlines the basis of one in-house program at HCC. The Brandon Campus has developed a new Manufacturing Technology A.S. program with a focus on high technology manufacturing. Part of the program includes courses

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

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Gilbert, R., & Carvalho, K., & McCullough, E., & Barger, M. (2002, June), Using Technology Equipment To Teach Chemistry Laboratory Exercises In Community Colleges Paper presented at 2002 Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. 10.18260/1-2--10682