Precision Milligram Laboratory Balance for Advanced Chemistry Courses

School:: Fernandina Beach High
Subject:: Science
Teacher:: John Davis
: Mary Walker
Students Impacted:
Grade:: 9-12
Date:: August 17, 2015

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

Nassau Education Foundation - $565.00

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 150

These balances have allowed Honors Physics and AP Chemistry students to perform precision experiments that are similar in nature to those they will encounter in college or in a commerical laboratory. Most recently the AP Chemistry class was given a specific product to prepare via chemical reaction and stoichiometry with precise specifications. The averge percent error for all laboratory groups was well under 10%, with one group producing the product within 2% of specification. The two balances on hand have been a great addition, but precision weighing is always a bottleneck when doing labs with large classes. Additional balances are needed so that students can make even better use of laboratory time.

Original Grant Overview

Goal

The objective of advanced science classes is to prepare students for college-level courses, or in the case of AP and dual-enrollment courses, to actually obtain college credit. The precision balance requested will allow for chemistry students to experience working with equipment similar to what they will be using in college science courses. Acquisition of a balance such as this will be required for having an AP or dual-enrollment chemistry course at this high school.

What will be done with my students

Use of the balance will commence immediately for experiments by honors chemistry students in quantitative chemical analysis and preparation. For example, students will be able to determine analyte concentrations in unknown samples by precipitating the analyte, filtering and drying the precipitate, precisely weighing the product, and calculating a result.
The balance will also immediately benefit instructors by allowing for the preparation of reagents from stock chemicals. This will provide high-quality solutions for students to use as well as saving money by not having to purchase pre-made reagents.
Purchase of this equipment is an essential part of preparing to offer either AP or dual-enrollment chemistry next year. Students in these courses will use this instrument in about a third of the labs that will be offered. In addition to practicing quantitative analysis as described above, students will also be able to practice laboratory technique by precisely preparing solutions, which can be used in experiments or assessed for accuracy by the instructor.

Benefits to my students

Students will benefit from access to this instrument in several ways. These include:
1. Stronger connections to the concepts learned in the classroom.
2. Exposure to a wider and deeper variety of chemistry experiments.
3. Responsibility of carefully using a precision instrument.
4. Experience comparable to working in a state-of-the-art college or industrial laboratory.
5. Opportunity to obtain college credit for chemistry while in high school.

Budget Narrative

List price provided. This item is currently on sale at www.summitmeasurement.net for $449.00. Instrument comes with a certified calibration weight and features a robust one-button calibration system well-suited for student use.

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	Intell-Lab PM-300 Toploading Milligram Balance	$565.00
	Total:	$565.00

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