Towards Automation of Manual Operations in a High School Chemistry Laboratory

Abstract

This paper proposes a learning environment in which manual operations of school chemistry laboratory experiments, such as titration and aliquoting, are automated by means of computer controlled devices. The educational study focuses on characteristics of learning in the automated laboratory environment. Pilot teaching indicated that using automation devices significantly reduces the performance time of titration laboratory work. The students also noted that automated titration experiments are more simple and accurate. Therefore, automation of manual operations in laboratory practice has been found to provide a very positive learning environment.

Autonomous Titration for Chemistry Classrooms: Preparing Students for Digitized Chemistry Laboratories

“…Similar devices have been introduced more recently, but still focus on their usage rather than their construction. 38 A more recent example encourages students to build their own automated titrator in a bottom-up approach, where titrations are realized based on a high-level application programming interface (API) provided by the instructor. 39 While this example targets the chemistry and engineering aspects of constructing an automated titration, the software component is still lacking and relies on significant input and preparations of the instructors.…”

Characteristics and Educational Advantages of Laboratory Automation in High School Chemistry

“…The in-class experience of using the automated titrator prototype, described in [10], indicated some difficulties in operating the devise, which impaired accuracy of measurements. Particularly, in order to start titration synchronously with data collection and measurement, the student had to turn the stopcock and at the same moment to close the sensor circuit.…”

“…We equipped the school chemistry laboratory with eight automated titrator prototypes described in [10]. Each titrator included the MultiLog Pro data logger, Fourier sensors, magnetic stirrer, and self-made constant delivery rate device.…”

“…A possible architecture of such a system was proposed in [10]. Further teaching experience and research led us to understanding that the architecture of the computerized and automated chemistry laboratory should be based on the principles of the technology enhanced laboratory design [11][12][13].…”

“…We develop simple and affordable automated devices and involve students in constructing such devices and using them for laboratory experiments. In [10] we presented the first prototypes of our automated titrator and a computer controlled dispenser and the first experience of their use by students. Here we present the next step, at which we improved and developed automated devices and conducted systematic educational experiments in two different high schools.…”