Constructing, Troubleshooting, and Using Absorption Colorimeters to Integrate Chemistry and Engineering

Next Generation Science Standards place a significant emphasis on science and engineering practices as part of three-dimensional learning that also includes crosscutting concepts and disciplinary core ideas. Building and using scientific instruments are a convenient choices for integrating science practices and engineering practices into a laboratory activity. The described activity for the high school chemistry classroom allows for teachers to incorporate engineering design principles into the classroom by using a familiar concept, absorption spectroscopy. By allowing students to build, troubleshoot, and use a working absorption colorimeter without the aid of detailed plans, the engineering design process can be explored alongside important chemistry principles. The opportunity to build working instruments without detailed plans and use them for scientific measurement allows for students to simultaneously explore science practices and engineering practices.