An educational polymer semiconductor lab kit has been developed that works to immerse students in hands-on inquiry activities surrounding current research in molecular electronics. The kit and curriculum exposes students and instructors to the polymer synthesis, underlying physics, and applications of conjugated polymeric materials and complements existing chemistry and physics laboratory activities (Figure 1). The laboratory exercises engage students with experiments in conductive polymer synthesis and semiconductive polymers for optoelectronic applications such as solar cells and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Designed initially for high school science classrooms, the activities developed also meet new ACS undergraduate education requirements for macromolecular, supramolecular, and nanoscale systems in the curriculum and can used in undergraduate teaching laboratories. The modules and kit have also been implemented in professional development workshops for training science educators to help integrate the activities into their classrooms. Our goal is to bring awareness of molecular electronic advancements through three laboratory modules related to electrochromic polymers, OLEDs, and polymer solar cells while supporting instructional implementation of these activities with easy to use online resources. Students can self-check for understanding of lab practices and content through a free downloadable app for each of these three modules. The educational apps serve to enhance the student learning experience and facilitate analytical skill development. The overarching goal of the project is to expose students to the latest molecular materials technologies and encourage them to consider future careers in science and engineering.

3 in 1 polymer semiconductor STEM education kit to engage students in hands-on polymer inquiry activities

2019 Spring National Meeting

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