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Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Raven and the Ambassador's Wife: An Inquiry-Based Murder Mystery

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Nathaniel Grove and Stacey Lowery Bretz

Department of Chemistry, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH 44555

J. Chem. Educ., 2005, 82 (10), p 1532

DOI: 10.1021/ed082p1532

Publication Date (Web): October 1, 2005

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

Inquiry-based experiments require students to take an active role in the learning process by having them develop their own procedures and data tables. This shift in responsibility requires students to think for themselves and show what they have truly learned . In the accompanying investigation, students help Sherlock Holmes solve the poisoning death of Holly Bernard-Schneider, the wife of the German ambassador to England. Hints are placed throughout the story to help students in their choice of experiments. These experiments include flame tests, qualitative analysis, molar mass determination using freezing point depression, and identification of crystal shapes. Though intended for use as a culminating activity, the unit can be easily modified to be used as separate modules throughout the course of the year.

Keywords (Audience):

High School / Introductory Chemistry

Keywords (Domain):

Laboratory Instruction

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Collaborative / Cooperative Learning

Keywords (Subject):

Crystals / Crystallography

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This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).

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