Introducing Spectrophotometry in Grades 6–12 Using a College‐Based Spectrophotometer Loan Program

Abstract

Science faculty members at Sweet Briar College have joined in partnership with area schools in a novel project bringing spectrophotometry to teachers and their students in grades 6–12. A sourcebook of classroom experiments has been created and field‐tested. These experiments are written around “real‐world” themes and problem solving scenarios and invoke an inquiry‐based (constructivist) approach to teaching and learning. The broad‐based theme that has emerged is “Light, Color, and Energy” which we tie into Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOLs) for each of the science classes that are involved. The College maintains and distributes a set of 21 Spectonic® Educator™ spectrophotometers that are used for summer professional development workshops for teachers and are loaned to trained teachers during the academic year. The 6th–12th grade classroom spectrophotometry experiences are also used in the education of future teachers, as project components are included in the College's pre‐service education courses. Undergraduate science students, interested in careers in education, have also contributed to the project in the development and testing of new classroom experiments. Funding for this project includes both external and internals funds, including an initial $42,000 investment from the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation's Special Grant Program in the Chemical Sciences (New York, NY) and the Richard and Caroline T. Gwathmey Trust (Richmond, VA).