http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ed500623k

Adam Hoffman and Ken Turner
Microbeads and Engineering Design in Chemistry: No Small Educational
Investigation
J. Chem. Educ., Article ASAP
DOI: 10.1021/ed500623k
Publication Date (Web): January 16, 2015

Abstract: A multipart laboratory activity introducing microbeads was
created to meet engineering and engineering design practices consistent
with new Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Microbeads are a
current topic of concern as they have been found to cause adverse
impacts in both marine and freshwater systems resulting in multiple
states proposing or adopting legislation to ban their manufacture or
sale. The activity allows for student inquiry, discovery, and
engineering design using inexpensive, readily available, and safe
chemicals. In addition, the products tested (toothpastes,
facial-cleansers, and/or hand-cleansers) will be familiar items to the
students, stressing the ubiquitous nature of chemistry. The activity
fostered confidence in the students through designing and testing
procedures, introduced them to a topic that most knew nothing about, and
drew praise for achieving the learning goals while investigating a
relevant real-world problem.

Keywords: High School/Introductory Chemistry; First-Year
Undergraduate/General; Environmental Chemistry; Hands-On
Learning/Manipulatives; Problem Solving/Decision Making; Microscale Lab;
Water/Water Chemistry; Laboratory Instruction; Collaborative/Cooperative
Learning; Inquiry-Based/Discovery Learning

http://pubs.acs.org/toc/jceda8/0/0