Maggie Hutchinson Thesis Defense
Maggie Hutchinson
Master of Science in Teaching Candidate
Thesis Advisor: Francois Amar
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Teaching
August, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
11:00 a.m.
102 Bennett Hall
College Chemistry Students Understanding And Application Of The Relationship Between Algebra And Stoichiometry
There is a general consensus that algebra knowledge is necessary and beneficial to a student’s understanding and performance in Chemistry. This is particularly seen in stoichiometry, the aspect of chemistry dealing with quantities, ratios, and balance within chemical equations. This thesis seeks to study student’s application of connections between algebra and stoichiometry, and their understanding of these connections.
The study consisted of 55 questionnaires completed by introductory general chemistry students taken from five lab periods during the fall 2009 semester, and 6 interviews conducted voluntarily during the spring 2010 semester. Quantitative questionnaire data was used to determine trends in the data, and gave information on student abilities with stoichiometry problems, similar algebraic problems, and problems combining the two disciplines. Qualitative data received through student interviews was used to give additional insight into student thoughts and opinions about algebra within stoichiometry and the connections that exist between the two disciplines.
Results indicate that even though students appear to have a working understanding of algebra, they do not think algebra and stoichiometry are related. In addition to this, though the majority of students interviewed appeared to hold the belief that algebra and stoichiometry were separate entities, their written answers presented a disconnect between this belief and their actions. Also, students did not seem willing to apply their knowledge to unfamiliar situations, but when asked to explain their thinking further in an interview setting, students were more inclined, and exhibited more capability, to apply their knowledge of algebra to stoichiometry and their knowledge of each to combined situations.