The goal of chemistry education research (CER) is to improve student understanding. CER investigates the theoretical issues surrounding the teaching and learning of chemistry and the assessment of various teaching techniques or strategies in light of these issues. One line of CER focuses on the difficulties students have with the particulate nature of matter. These difficulties result in students’ inability to visualize particle behavior, and thus, students’ inability to fully understand chemistry concepts. The quest to improve student understanding of the particulate nature of matter has been the long-term focus of many researchers, resulting in a growing body of knowledge in the area. The quest has been the focus of my own research, which is built on that of others and hopefully has added to our knowledge base. This talk will focus on the use of particulate animations in the classroom, including what data eye-tracking can give and the investigation of student characteristics which impact how a visualization will be received. Further, new areas for visualization research will be outlined.

<b>Award Address</b> (ACS Award for Achievement in Research for the Teaching and Learning of Chemistry sponsored by Pearson Education). Quest for student understanding of the particulate nature of matter

249th National Meeting (2015)

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

Award Address (ACS Award for Achievement in Research for the Teaching and Learning of Chemistry sponsored by Pearson Education). Quest for student understanding of the particulate nature of matter