Parallel sessions IV

Workshops G
G.I Real‐time experiments for the acquisition of science competencies: COMBLAB project (WS04), Fina Guitart and Montserrat Tortosa
	Abstract: COMBLAB (COmpetency‐MBL‐LABoratory) is a European project (517587-LLP-1‐2011-1‐ES-COMENIUS-CMP) that aims to provide new research-based teaching materials to promote scientific competencies in secondary students using Microcomputer‐Based Laboratories (MBL). In Microcomputer‐Based‐Laboratories (MBL), experimental data are obtained using sensors, and the graph of the experiment can be seen in real time. The aim of this workshop is to present the general framework of COMBLAB activities by performing two practical activities. MBL equipment and temperature and pH sensors will be used. All the activities designed in the project are inquiry‐based, contextualised in personal, social or global environments, and curricular. In the activities, students are guided to solve an initial problem, planning, designing and performing experiments, discussing results and drawing conclusions. The first activity, "How can we obtain ice cream without a freezer?", deals with the concepts of the melting temperature of substances and mixtures and cryoscopic decrease. To answer the question, students have to experiment with what happens if they use only ice to cool two samples of water and a sugar solution. After these preliminary experiments they will use an ice‐salt mixture as a cooling bath. Graphs of the freezing curves of substances and mixtures are obtained. They have to design and experiment to compare freezing curves using mixtures of orange juice and sugar to optimise the process and obtain the ice cream. In the second activity, "Which antacid is more efficient?", students deal with acid, base and neutralisation concepts. They simulate gastric juices using a diluted hydrochloric acid solution, and they can use commercial antacids in various pharmaceutical forms (chewable tablets, effervescent tablets, liquid forms, etc.) and various active ingredients (carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, hydroxides, etc.). Graphs of pH versus time are obtained using different antacid drugs. To answer the question, students have to discuss changes in pH and the velocity of these changes and pH values after the addition of the antacid. They have to experiment and register and discuss curves of pH versus time. In COMBLAB activities experiments are conducted using small amounts of substances to minimise waste and potential risks and to promote these habits and skills in students.

Workshops G

G.I Real‐time experiments for the acquisition of science competencies: COMBLAB project (WS04), Fina Guitart and Montserrat Tortosa

Abstract: COMBLAB (COmpetency‐MBL‐LABoratory) is a European project (517587-LLP-1‐2011-1‐ES-COMENIUS-CMP) that aims to provide new research-based teaching materials to promote scientific competencies in secondary students using Microcomputer‐Based Laboratories (MBL). In Microcomputer‐Based‐Laboratories (MBL), experimental data are obtained using sensors, and the graph of the experiment can be seen in real time.

The aim of this workshop is to present the general framework of COMBLAB activities by performing two practical activities. MBL equipment and temperature and pH sensors will be used. All the activities designed in the project are inquiry‐based, contextualised in personal, social or global environments, and curricular. In the activities, students are guided to solve an initial problem, planning, designing and performing experiments, discussing results and drawing conclusions.

The first activity, "How can we obtain ice cream without a freezer?", deals with the concepts of the melting temperature of substances and mixtures and cryoscopic decrease. To answer the question, students have to experiment with what happens if they use only ice to cool two samples of water and a sugar solution. After these preliminary experiments they will use an ice‐salt mixture as a cooling bath. Graphs of the freezing curves of substances and mixtures are obtained. They have to design and experiment to compare freezing curves using mixtures of orange juice and sugar to optimise the process and obtain the ice cream.

In the second activity, "Which antacid is more efficient?", students deal with acid, base and neutralisation concepts. They simulate gastric juices using a diluted hydrochloric acid solution, and they can use commercial antacids in various pharmaceutical forms (chewable tablets, effervescent tablets, liquid forms, etc.) and various active ingredients (carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, hydroxides, etc.). Graphs of pH versus time are obtained using different antacid drugs. To answer the question, students have to discuss changes in pH and the velocity of these changes and pH values after the addition of the antacid. They have to experiment and register and discuss curves of pH versus time.

In COMBLAB activities experiments are conducted using small amounts of substances to minimise waste and potential risks and to promote these habits and skills in students.