for segue forms (.pdf) click below

Objectives

• Demonstrate some of the basic aspects of chemistry particularly as they relate to studies of traditional societies.

• Illustrate broad applications of chemistry

• Develop avenues for students to continue to learn about chemistry that lead directly out of the segue experience.

Learning Structure

• Class-room/Laboratory discussion groups (students will have already watched assigned video presentations)

  • In class students will observe how kava naturally separates into different banding layers indicating different chemical mixtures. Students will be asked to carefully taste the layers and report on the difference in taste and other sensations for each layer. Class discussion will address chemical properties of the kava.
    　

• Web-based delivery of information to students:

  • Provide a brief overview of some of the most interesting areas of chemistry.

  • Direct students to practitioners of chemistry within the University and in the community at-large.

  • Show students specific courses or other educational opportunities that can be used to further explore interests in chemistry.

Learning Outcomes

(1 = Most Desired Outcome, 3 = A Desirable Outcome, 5 = Least Desired Outcome)

1. Students seek more information about studies in chemistry, register to take a course in chemistry, and become a degree seeking major in chemistry.

2. Students seek more information about studies in chemistry and register to take a course in chemistry as part of an effort to broaden their education.

3. Students develop a sufficient (but minimal) understanding of chemistry to be able to make decisions about their own career (and inclusion or not of this science). These students are probably better citizens/voters.

4. Students do not learn anything about chemistry.

5. Students develop a negative perspective about chemistry because of the information received through this project.

Ethnobotany Segue

• Two ethnobotany experiments are conducted together bridging this segue with a segue to psychology.

• During class students will observe how kava naturally separates into distinctive band layers that represent different chemical mixtures. They will be asked to taste these layers to determine if they can detect any differences. 

Other Science

• Chemistry is the science concerned with the reactions, transformations and aggregations of matter, as well as accompanying energy and entropy changes during such transformations. It is also a field of study to investigate matter from the atomic to macromolecular scale, such as molecules, crystals. According to quantum chemistry, all physical and chemical properties of substances are a consequence of their structure at the molecular or atomic scale.

Other Science Practitioners

• These chemists are happy to speak to students about chemistry:
  　
• Dr. Thomas Hemscheidt, hemschei@hawaii.edu, Department of Chemistry, Bilger Hall rm. 306/239, (808) 956-640.
  　
• Dr. Janice Smith, jgsmith@hawaii.edu, Department of Chemistry, Bilger Hall rm. 241B, (808) 956-8381.

Other Science Courses

• Students wanting to learn more about chemistry may want to take a survey level course like Chemistry 151 Elementary Survey of Chemistry.
  　

• Science and engineering majors may be required to take Chemistry 161 General Chemistry.  Alternatively, students with stronger backgrounds in chemistry may want to take Chemistry 171 Principles of Chemistry or Chemistry 181A Honors General Chemistry.
  　

• All these courses have corresponding laboratory courses, however the lab may or may not be required for your degree.

Resources

• Students considering to major in chemistry should contact the University of Hawaii chemistry department advisor.
  　

• For career information, students may want to view the occupational outlook for potential careers in chemistry at the U.S. Department of Labor:
  　

  • Agriculture and Food Scientists

  • Biological Scientists

  • Chemists and Materials Scientists

  • Engineering and Natural Science Managers

  • Environmental Scientists and Hydrologists

  • Medical Scientists

  • Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing

  • Scientific Research and Development Services

  • Science Technicians