Ocean Optics Enhances Science Curriculum

Ocean Optics has launched a new version of its Spectroscopy 101 curriculum for high school and college teaching laboratories. Written for use with the company’s Red Tide and ChemUSB spectrophotometers, Spectroscopy 101 has been updated for the company’s new OceanView software. Contents include an introduction to spectroscopy, key spectroscopy concepts and detailed instructions for conducting a range of engaging experiments with students.

Spectroscopy techniques help students achieve a better understanding of what happens at the atomic and molecular level when samples interact with light. By observing these interactions, students can identify different wavelengths within the photonic spectrum and quantify the amount of light being absorbed, reflected, scattered or emitted. The updated experiments include a comprehensive introduction, detailed procedures and questions to measure understanding and retention.

The Spectroscopy 101 curriculum shows the power of spectroscopy through the following experiments:

• Identification of commercial food dyes in beverages

• Absorbance measurement of chlorophyll extracted from spinach leaves

• Spectro-photometric characterisation of spice extracts

• Kinetics of crystal-violet bleaching

• Emission measurements of light sources

• Spectro-photometric analysis of commercial aspirin

Each is designed to teach students that atoms and molecules interact with light to provide detailed information on their structure and composition.

Compact Ocean Optics’ Red Tide and ChemUSB spectrophotometers are suitable instruments for teaching laboratories. The new OceanView software is a complement, with persistence of user settings, the ability to save and reload experiments and customisability for teachers to adapt the curriculum to their classrooms.

Ocean Optics is running a special promotion with its “Education Across the Nations” back-to-school bundles on the updated Spectroscopy 101 curricula through 27 September 2013. The ChemUSB Spectrometer System bundle includes a free laptop, updated curricula, plastic cuvettes and OceanView software at a savings of more than $900 (USD). The Red Tide spectrometer bundle includes updated curricula, plastic cuvettes and OceanView software and saves $200 dollars or more.