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This Today’s Science for Tomorrow’s Scientists (TSTS) tutorial introduces current scientific research from Robert McMahon’s group at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Researchers in McMahon’s group synthesize and study the structure, photochemistry, and spectroscopy of reactive organic molecules. Many of these molecules are postulated to play a role in the chemistry of interstellar space. The topics covered in the grades 5–8 section of the McMahon tutorial include: - Potential Energy
- Kinetic Energy
- Chemical Energy
- Light Energy
- Chemical Reactivity
- Energy Transfer
The topics covered in the grades 9–12 section of the McMahon tutorial include: - Chemical reactivity
- Radio astronomy
- Carbon chemistry
- Chemical bonds
- Valence electrons
- Arrow pushing
- Radicals
- Photochemistry
Screenshot of a Web page from the McMahon Research Tutorial for grades 9–12.
Simple examples with two balls are used throughout the McMahon 5–8 section to illustrate potential energy, kinetic energy, and energy transfer. This information is built upon and chemical energy and procedures specific to the research area are discussed using pictures, interactive graphics, and descriptions. The McMahon 9–12 section of the tutorial explores the research area using more advanced concepts. For example, in a screenshot from the McMahon 9–12 section (see the figure) students see a UV–vis spectrum taken by a graduate student in the McMahon lab in the context of a discussion about photochemistry. This tutorial helps middle and high school teachers to introduce organic chemistry research while simultaneously aligning with National Science Education Standards in the physical sciences.
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