In an upper-level chemistry laboratory that includes project-based laboratories from both instrumental analysis and physical chemistry, we have used the science writing heuristic (SWH) as the guiding principle for both project design and student written reports. Students turn in proposals for each project that address their beginning questions and develop a method to answer those questions. In their reports students must address the beginning questions, make a claim that answers their question, provide evidence from their data that supports the claim, and then interpret their results based on some outside reading. Student learning was evaluated using primary trait analysis, and coding the reading and reflection section of the lab reports for process skills like information processing and critical thinking.

Using the science writing heuristic in an upper-level laboratory

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.