DivCHED CCCE: Committee on Computers in Chemical Education
*Call for Papers: Online Conference*
*Fall 2017 ConfChem: Mathematics in Undergraduate Chemistry Instruction* Oct 26, 2017 – Nov. 27, 2017
Chemistry is a quantitative science. For majors in the sciences and engineering, chemistry provides a foundation in solving scientific calculations: mathematics applied to measurements. In recent years, many instructors have noted deficits in the background of growing numbers of students enrolling in undergraduate chemistry courses for science majors. In a 2012 survey of nations with highly developed economies, 16 to 24 year olds from the US had the lowest scores in “numeracy” among the 22 nations tested.
For this virtual conference, we seek submissions focused on how we can help students learn to solve calculations in courses that teach *or* prepare students for the quantitative component of chemistry:
- What experiments have instructors conducted to improve student success rates in solving scientific calculations? What strategies would be recommended as a result?
- What online or other resources have been found to be effective in assisting students who need additional preparation or review for the mathematics that is pre-requisite for chemistry?
- What topics in mathematics are most important in courses preparing students for chemistry?
- Which skills should be measured to determine placement in general versus preparatory chemistry sections?
- What levels of proficiencies should be required before placement in general chemistry?
- Which strategy has proven to be more effective for students learning to perform scientific calculations: approaching first from the perspective of teaching critical thinking and reasoning skills, or from the application of memorized problem-solving algorithms?
If you are interested in submitting a paper (and we do hope you are), please contact Cary Kilner: carypq@aol.com or Eric Nelson: EANelson@ChemReview.Net .
*Relevant Dates:*
June 19, 2017: *Abstracts* Due
September 18, 2017 *Papers* Due
October 26, 2017: *Conference* Begins
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