<p> Chemistry is an experimental science and many educators believe that the laboratory program is central to the teaching of chemistry. Introductory chemistry curriculum, as defined by senior secondary school and freshman university courses, has throughout its history placed varying degrees of emphasis on the laboratory component. In this project, a brief discussion of the historical background of chemical education is followed by a consideration of those constraints thought to interfere with the implementation of an effective laboratory program. </p> <p> Safety is an issue currently receiving greater attention in educational institutions. This is reflected in the increased responsibilities required by both statute and tort law. A summary of these responsibilities and their effects on the teaching of chemistry is included in this project. </p> <p> In order to remain faithful to the nature of chemistry, many educators employ student activities which act as alternatives to the laboratory experiment. Various such alternatives are examined. This is followed by recommendations on how a laboratory program may be effectively implemented. </p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Esta dissertação de mestrado insere-se no contexto da análise de desempenho técnico construtivo de edifícios. O objetivo é sistematizar informações qualitativas e quantitativas para subsidiar o programa de necessidades de projetos de laboratórios de química do ensino superior, para atendimento das demandas correntes de segurança e habitabilidade desses ambientes. A pesquisa parte de uma revisão bibliográfica em bases nacionais e internacionais sobre análise de desempenho de edifícios habitacionais (ABNT NBR 15575/2008) e particularmente, do programa de necessidades das instalações laboratoriais em edifícios do ensino superior. O trabalho de campo é realizado por meio da metodologia do estudo de caso único nos laboratórios do edifício do Instituto de Química da Universidade de São Paulo, onde foram levantados e analisados os padrões de uso do edifício, os usuários e suas necessidades e expectativas. O produto resultante desta análise e do confronto com as referências de desempenho será a relação de requisitos e critérios que podem ser utilizados na elaboração de programa de necessidades e em soluções de projetos de instalações laboratoriais de maneira responsável e consciente. / This masters degree dissertation is inserted in the context of a technical constructive building development analysis. The objective is to systematize qualitative and quantitative information, in order to subsidize the necessities of higher education chemical laboratories project, to accomplish the current demands for safety and habitability of these environments. The research is based on a bibliographical revision of national and international sources, related to the analyses on the development of habitational buildings (ABNT NBR 15575/2008) and program elements linked especially to the laboratorial installations in buildings of higher education. The field work is done based on the unique case study methodology in the laboratories of the Chemistry Institute of the University of São Paulo (IQUSP), where the usage standards of the building, and users necessities and expectations have been gathered and analyzed. The product resulting from this analysis and from the confrontation with the performance standards will be the requirements inventory and the criteria that should be utilized in the elaboration of the program of needs and as solutions to laboratorial installations projects, in a responsible and conscious approach.

Esta dissertação de mestrado insere-se no contexto da análise de desempenho técnico construtivo de edifícios. O objetivo é sistematizar informações qualitativas e quantitativas para subsidiar o programa de necessidades de projetos de laboratórios de química do ensino superior, para atendimento das demandas correntes de segurança e habitabilidade desses ambientes. A pesquisa parte de uma revisão bibliográfica em bases nacionais e internacionais sobre análise de desempenho de edifícios habitacionais (ABNT NBR 15575/2008) e particularmente, do programa de necessidades das instalações laboratoriais em edifícios do ensino superior. O trabalho de campo é realizado por meio da metodologia do estudo de caso único nos laboratórios do edifício do Instituto de Química da Universidade de São Paulo, onde foram levantados e analisados os padrões de uso do edifício, os usuários e suas necessidades e expectativas. O produto resultante desta análise e do confronto com as referências de desempenho será a relação de requisitos e critérios que podem ser utilizados na elaboração de programa de necessidades e em soluções de projetos de instalações laboratoriais de maneira responsável e consciente. / This masters degree dissertation is inserted in the context of a technical constructive building development analysis. The objective is to systematize qualitative and quantitative information, in order to subsidize the necessities of higher education chemical laboratories project, to accomplish the current demands for safety and habitability of these environments. The research is based on a bibliographical revision of national and international sources, related to the analyses on the development of habitational buildings (ABNT NBR 15575/2008) and program elements linked especially to the laboratorial installations in buildings of higher education. The field work is done based on the unique case study methodology in the laboratories of the Chemistry Institute of the University of São Paulo (IQUSP), where the usage standards of the building, and users necessities and expectations have been gathered and analyzed. The product resulting from this analysis and from the confrontation with the performance standards will be the requirements inventory and the criteria that should be utilized in the elaboration of the program of needs and as solutions to laboratorial installations projects, in a responsible and conscious approach.

Thesis (M.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-74).

The two-part Views on Chemistry Practicals (VOCP) instrument for measuring the views of grade 10 to 12 Physical Science students about the benefits and problems of Chemistry practicals was empirically developed and trialed using six schools in Gauteng. The summary part of the resultant VOCP instrument comprises 24 Likert items and the explanatory part comprises 24 multiple-choice items with 163 options, thus creating a unique current record of a wide range of students' views of chemistry practicals and providing teachers with a tool for improving chemistry practicals. The trial of the instrument with 230 students from three schools indicated that the summary part of the instrument is reliable (Cronbach alpha coefficient) and that a shortened explanatory part of the instrument is reliable (Chi squared values for 17 items with 98 options). The validity of the VOCP instrument was established through the empirical development of the instrument using triangulation of data. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Natural Science Education)

The two-part Views on Chemistry Practicals (VOCP) instrument for measuring the views of grade 10 to 12 Physical Science students about the benefits and problems of Chemistry practicals was empirically developed and trialed using six schools in Gauteng. The summary part of the resultant VOCP instrument comprises 24 Likert items and the explanatory part comprises 24 multiple-choice items with 163 options, thus creating a unique current record of a wide range of students' views of chemistry practicals and providing teachers with a tool for improving chemistry practicals. The trial of the instrument with 230 students from three schools indicated that the summary part of the instrument is reliable (Cronbach alpha coefficient) and that a shortened explanatory part of the instrument is reliable (Chi squared values for 17 items with 98 options). The validity of the VOCP instrument was established through the empirical development of the instrument using triangulation of data. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Natural Science Education)