From the Bench to the Blackboard: Surveying the Effects of Incorporating Research-Inspired Material in Lab Courses on Students' Inclination Towards Scientific Research

Friday, October 28, 2011
Hall 1-2 (San Jose Convention Center)
Alyssa Ashbaugh , Macalester College, St. Paul, MN
Mary Anzovino , Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Andrew Greenberg, PhD , Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
John Moore, PhD , Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Trends of minimal research interest and experience in undergraduate students exemplify the necessity for inciting students’ thoughts about and involvement in scientific research. One attempt at developing a stimulus involves integrating scientific research, specifically research applicable to students, in general chemistry lab courses. A lab course that incorporates pertinent research-inspired labs is designed in belief that students’ interest and involvement in scientific research increase with experience in and exposure to current research. In determining an ideal experiment for general chemistry students using present day research as a foundation, various starting materials and solvents were used to synthesize cationic gemini surfactants in an SN2 reaction. Surfactants were synthesized by employing various starting materials in a variety of solvents and products were analyzed through fluorescence and optical microscopy. Desired products were not obtained when dialkyl halides and tertiary amines were used as starting materials, but utilizing alkyl halides and diamines resulted in the desired product. Reactions in deionized water proceeded more effectively than those in other solvents or combinations of solvents. Products were obtained in high yield and good purity when spacer lengths were of four, five, six and eight; and long chains were of fourteen or sixteen. These syntheses fit well within the constraints of a general chemistry lab course (time, ability, etc.). After students participate in experiments such as this one, their inclination towards scientific research may increase and they will be more apt to enrich and advance science in the future encouraging scientific research in further generations.