Electrolysis of water is a standard chemistry experiment, but the typical laboratory apparatus (e.g. Hoffman cell) is better suited for group presentations. When the total solution volume of a Hoffman cell is reduced from 100 milliliters to 100 microliters the electrolysis is easily and safely viewed by an individual. This interactive session will demonstrates new inexpensive microfluidics to perform electrolysis of water. With the novel microfluidic devices, students visualize the accumulation of hydrogen and oxygen in under 1 minute. When fabricated with polydimethylsiloxane the microfluidics may be used repeatedly. The laboratory protocol that accompanies the experiment and instructional materials that meet teaching content standards and objectives will be provided. The assessment tools that evaluate the impact of this device on chemical education as well as public science literacy will be described. In this interactive session, the K12 educator, analytical instrument designer, and expert in educational assessment will provide hands-on experience to attendees on the operation and implementation of the device. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. CHE1212537.

Workshop for teachers to engage students in the electrolysis of water with simple and inexpensive microfluidics: Hands-on training with the instrumentation

248th National Meeting (2014)

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