 Students in 11 th Grade  Chemistry Class  Low mathematical skills  Do not see science as relevant  Difficulty grasping the microscopic (atomic) nature of scientific concepts  Lack of necessary lab materials and equipment  Lack of funding

 How can I make my teaching more relevant to my students lives?  How can I provide more opportunities for my students to use technology to conduct investigations that are meaningful?

 1) To engage students by infusing my curriculum with real world application of science  2) To make connections between students lives and what they are learning  3)To integrate technology for students to gain broader understanding of concepts being taught  4) Expose my students to current scientific research

 Most scientific research is based at the micro and nano scale  The application of technology in assisting research  The importance of collaboration  The importance of effective communication

 Students come from communities where substance abuse is a major problem  They themselves are at high risk for drug and alcohol abuse  The class content covers the structure of chemical compounds and chemical quantities  The topic of drugs will be studied within this content

 Students will investigate the chemical structure and composition of major drugs  They will calculate chemical quantities of specific drugs such as molecular weight, percent composition, number of moles…  Teacher will present and discuss research poster “The Role of the Nucleus Accumbens Shell in Regulating Water and Salt Intake”  Make the connection with what we are learning  Students will watch video clips of teacher’s research experience  Discuss with students what I have learned in my research experience

 Students will investigate brain cells and their structure using a digital microscope  Students will be assigned to research a specific drug  Students will collaborate to produce a PowerPoint illustrating: ◦ The chemical structure and function of the drug ◦ How the drug alter the structure of the brain and the body’s normal function ◦ How addiction occurs and the biochemical pathways involved ◦ The drugs short and long term effects ◦ Current scientific research on addiction (drug)

 Digital Microscope: ◦ ability to capture still image and video ◦ Full screen viewing ◦ Image sharing  Microscope Slides  Requested Assistance: $700

 Thru this teaching module students will be able to: ◦ experience the connection between what they learn in the classroom and real life situations= meaningful learning ◦ greater understanding and appreciation of the microscopic nature of life ◦ knowledge of current scientific research ◦ greater engagement and ownership of their own learning

 Dr Andreas Linninger, Program Director  Seon B. Kim, Program Assistant  Dr David Wirtshafter, Research Mentor  University of Illinois at Chicago  National Science Foundation RET