Rocky Mountain Regional Center of Small-Scale Chemistry
Peter Jeschofnig, Director
What is the Rocky Mountain Regional Center of Small-Scale
Chemistry?
This center is part of a national effort to promote a chemical
education philosophy which emphasizes "Green Chemistry". It does
so by sponsoring seminars and workshops on small-scale chemistry.
These free workshops introduce small-scale chemistry concepts
and techniques to local educators through participation in
laboratory experiments, lectures, discussions, and
demonstrations.
This Regional Center was established through the collaborative efforts of:
Colorado Mountain College
The Environmental Protection Office of Pollution-Prevention Technology Education
The Partnership for Environmental Technology Education (PETE)
Colorado State University Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology (CSMATE)
The Rocky Mountain Regional Center is directed by Dr. Peter Jeschofnig, Professor of Science at Colorado Mountain College. It represents the South-Central PETE region which covers
Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Colorado.
Places To Visit ( one of
the following:)
What is Small-Scale Chemistry?
Small-scale chemistry is simply the process of conducting chemical experimentation on a much smaller scale. Instead of using large amounts of chemcials, the same experiments and learning
are achieved with minute quantities. This great reduction in scale requires modified techniques, equipment, and instruction.
1. Safety: Using such small quantities of chemicals, the chances for fire, explosion, and serious injury are greatly reduced.
2. Cost Savings: The cost of chemicals and laboratory equipment is greatly reduced. This means a wider variety of chemicals can be used.
3. Time Savings: Preparation, experimentation, anc clean-up times are greatly reduced.
4. Environment-friendly: Less waste is produced; thus, chemical disposal problems are virtually eliminated.
Does Small-Scale Chemistry Benefit Students?
Beyond their reduction in experiment size, small-scale techniques uniquely engage students in hands-on learning experiences and allow them to share
the responsibility for their own learning. Small-scale techniques foster creative, inquiry-based problem solving abilities. Plus, they are fun to use!
Familiarity with small-scale materials, apparatus, techniques, and philosophy.
How to use small-scale to facilitate students' self-confidence and their ability to conduct investigative studies.
How a school can change its chemistry instruction approaches to be in alignment with the new National Science Education Standards.
How to use environmental themes, projects, and case studies to teach chemistry in real problem-solving situations.
Past Workshops:
So far, workshops have been conducted in Leadville and Glenwood Springs:
Leadville - Jan. 16, 1998
Glenwood Springs - July 7, 1998
Glenwood Springs - Sept. 25, 1998
Glenwood Springs - July 15, 2000
It is expected that at least one workshop will be held at CMC's
Spring Valley Campus, Glenwood Springs each semester. Additional
workshops will be conducted at local school districts' science
in-service meetings. If you are interested in having a workshop
conducted at your school send an e-mail to Peter Jeschofnig.
Pjeschofnig@coloradomtn.edu
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This page was created by Peter Jeschofnig and was last
updated: Sept. 3, 2000