The project team successfully designed and ran a two-week chemistry workshop funded by NSF for practicing K-12 teachers from a number of different disciplines. The goals of the workshop included:  to generate transferable enthusiasm for chemistry, to encourage K-12 teachers to conduct scientific research and to cultivate teachers’ appreciation for the scientific process as the systematic, yet uncertain pursuit of new and exciting knowledge. The participants of the workshop learned how to use powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) instrumentation and application of the instrument. Participants were given time to characterize a round of research samples using the PXRD individually. There were also opportunities for teachers and faculty to meet professionals in the industry and discuss uses of the instrument. The following instruments were used to evaluate the goals of the workshop: pre/posttest, practical assessment, student portfolios and student workshop assessment.  Detailed schedule of the workshop, types of experiments, and the assessment data will be presented.<br/>

Introduction of powder X-ray diffraction in K-12 education

249th National Meeting (2015)

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