Interdisciplinary Project-Based Learning of Fine Chemical Technology for Applied Chemistry Majors: Preparation of High Cationic Degree Cotton-Based Adsorbent

Project-based learning, guided by constructivism theory, is a teaching and learning approach in which students design a project and then solve project tasks in a cooperative group. Based on actual problems, students are expected to construct subject knowledge, collect and process information, conduct practical operations to solve problems in the process of inquiry, and finally share project results to achieve a deep understanding of learning, improve their critical thinking, and strengthen social interactions. This paper took “Preparation of high cationic degree cotton-based adsorbent” as the theme of this project-based learning. The project tasks included structure optimization and crystallinity characterization of cotton cellulose, design of a synthesis scheme and synthesis of high cationic degree cotton-based adsorbent, and collaborative optimization and performance analysis of cotton-based adsorbent. The design idea and teaching practice process of this project-based learning, which has integrated multiple disciplines like fine chemical technology, organic chemistry, and instrumental analysis and combined theoretical and practical teaching, are presented. Different project tasks clearly identified a series of activities as learning objectives for the students. Sixteen undergraduate students who were majoring in applied chemistry and took the course “Fine Chemical Technology” were selected as subjects. The methods to evaluate students included pre- and postexperiment reports, group reports, face-to-face interviews, and assessments and suggestions using SOLO Taxonomy. The results showed that students’ experimental operation ability, logical thinking ability, teamwork spirit, language expression ability, and ability to practice learning had been well trained.