Unpacking Engineering Practices for Curricular Assessment: Aligning Lab Practices and Assessment Items Using the...

Area of Science:

• Chemistry Education
• Engineering Education
• Science Education

Background:

• Effective laboratory learning requires students to engage meaningfully in the practice of science.
• Integrating real-world contexts and decision-making into lab work is crucial for deeper understanding.
• Engineering practices can structure the application of scientific knowledge in laboratory settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To extend the three-dimensional learning assessment protocol (3D-LAP) for assessing engineering practices in organic chemistry labs.
• To reliably detect three distinct engineering practices: defining problems, evaluating solutions, and designing solutions.
• To compare the efficacy of verification-style versus project-based organic laboratory curricula.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the three-dimensional learning assessment protocol (3D-LAP).
• Focused on identifying specific engineering practices: defining problems, evaluating solutions, and designing solutions.
• Compared two second-year organic laboratory curricula: one verification-style and one project-based.

Main Results:

• The 3D-LAP was successfully extended to detect engineering practices in laboratory learning.
• The study provided a framework for analyzing student engagement in the practice of science through engineering applications.
• Differences in the elicitation of engineering practices between the two curriculum styles were analyzed.

Conclusions:

• The developed assessment protocol reliably detects engineering practices within laboratory learning.
• Project-based organic chemistry laboratories show potential for fostering greater engagement in engineering practices compared to verification labs.
• This work contributes to a more coherent definition of how to elicit students' use of knowledge in science labs.