At-Home Laboratory Experiments for the Analytical Chemistry Curriculum

Abstract

In this communication, we describe five at-home laboratory experiments and demonstrations that complement a semester-long analytical chemistry curriculum. The experiments were successfully carried out by remote undergraduate students enrolled in a hybrid analytical chemistry course during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students used their personal smartphones to perform the spectrophotometric analyses and all other materials needed to carry out the experiments were assembled in a homemade laboratory kit with a total cost of 265 USD (with the potential for additional cost savings). The experiments centered on the analysis of a single analyte, Allura Red food dye, and spanned quantitative analysis by absorption spectroscopy, reverse-phase liquid chromatography, fluorescence quenching, and Brownian motion. Students used external calibration and the method of standard additions to determine the concentration of Allura Red in maraschino cherry juice to be 140 ± 40 and 130 ± 40 ppm, respectively. Students' results were within the expected concentration range of 100−150 ppm. Qualitative spectroscopic and chromatographic analyses spurred robust discussion of the chemical principles underpinning the analytical techniques. Independent remote laboratory instruction was supported through weekly laboratory group meetings involving the remote students and course instructor. Group meetings enabled remote students to make connections with other students in the course, troubleshoot their data analysis in real-time with peer and instructor support, and reflect more deeply on their experimental work. Details about the kit contents, experimental results, best practices for implementation, and recommendations for future adaptation are described.

Design and Evaluation of the BeArS@home and Slugs@home Choose-Your-Own-Adventure-Style Online Laboratory Experiments

“…Intrinsically, the experiment websites did not provide students with hands-on experience. For fully remote laboratory courses, supplementing with at-home hands-on experiments involving kitchen chemistry (examples: refs and − ) or home laboratory kits (examples: refs − ) is a possible solution. Difficulties in collaboration between students was another clear disadvantage of online laboratory courses.…”

Navigating the Future of Separation Science Education: A Perspective

“…Another approach to remote instruction of these techniques is re-designing experiments so that they can safely be performed in non-laboratory settings, including at home [ 53 ]. Separations-related examples of this strategy include the separation of dyes in powdered drink mixes [ 54 , 55 ] and in ink [ 56 ]. As many of these activities are relatively low-cost, they can be used for hands-on learning in settings where the purchase of a full instrument may be cost-prohibitive.…”

Teaching Analytical Instrumentation Through Remote Access – A Gas Chromatography Perspective

“…This is particularly noticeable in science education, which relies heavily on hands-on laboratory curricula in an effort to develop students’ technical abilities and support conceptual understanding of theoretical teachings . At-home experimentation, live or prerecorded demonstration, and virtual computer-based activities have been applied for several decades and are now common to compensate for the loss or replacement of laboratory-based learning. , However, for curricula such as senior university-level analytical chemistry, laboratory exercises have significant focus on the theory and application of advanced chemical instrumentation, which cannot readily be translated to at-home learning of equivalent value . Hands-on experience with instruments is necessary to develop knowledge and familiarity related to the operation of various instrumentation, to facilitate problem solving using instrumentation, and to appreciate the limitations and interpretation of data derived from instruments …”