Abstract:

In this work, we present the experience carry out during the 2016/17 course in the field of Material Science with students of the Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry (3rd year’s studies) from the Universidad Jaume I (Castellon, Spain). The main topic of the University subject is to learn about different kind of materials according its nature, their properties, preparation and application.

Nowadays, students mainly think that many of the concepts studied in Chemistry as well as in Material Science are abstract, and are inexplicable without the use of analogies, models or practical application. In addition, student conceptions are often inconsistent with the scientific ones and they frequently misunderstood theoretical concepts that they are acquired in classes. For this reason, we have developed specific practice seminars at chemistry laboratory where students learning is based on the use of adequate didactic materials with instructions and assessments as well as different activities planned for helping students to perform the required tasks and to put in practice their knowledge. By this way, students can clear their misconception or misunderstood by developing a specific material, observing what’s happed during preparation, determining material properties and finally, testing it function and application. Thus, the object is to enhance student interest in chemistry laboratory work and to relate it perceptions of the laboratory classroom learning with the surrounded environment.

In particular, the main goal of the project was to provide the students new didactic material in terms of laboratory dosier for better understanding of the fundamental concepts of Material science field by means of auto evaluation, detailed introduction in the topic, tasks description and assessment in diverse practical laboratory aspects. The selected topic was of particular interest as it is currently very attractive from scientific point of view, e.g. to develop photovoltaic (PV) device that generate electricity directly from sunlight via an electronic process that occurs in semiconductors. Thus, the student can feel as they are taking real part in the research for “energy of the future”.

After finishing the seminars, we expect that the students must know about the type of the developed material, to describe its main characteristics and properties by using conventional research characterization techniques like X-ray Diffraction, UV-VIS-NIR Spectroscopy and Microscopy. To acquire specific skills by using scientific analytical methods. In addition, to enhance the student's capacity of developing critical analytic thinking that can help them to front facing specific situation providing adequate solutions.

Keywords:

Laboratory practice, Material Science, Photovoltaics.