Lab-at-Home: Hands-On Green Analytical Chemistry Laboratory for New Normal Experimentation

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced analytical chemistry educators in Thailand to change
methods of teaching and learning to new normal ones. Higher education has faced additional challenges
because of a lack of hands-on experiments and an increasing number of students in foundation
chemistry courses being hindered from practicing skills. This work aimed to develop a Lab-at-Home
(LAH) for new normal, analytical chemistry experimentation. The LAH implemented a hands-on
green chemistry experiment, i.e., colorimetric determination of iron using non-hazardous reagents
(supporting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12-responsible consumption and production). The
LAH was sent to students at their location before the synchronous class, where the instructors were
prompt to supervise. Thus, this supports SDG4-quality education and SDG10-reduced inequalities.
The learning outcome achievements, i.e., the analytical characteristics and colorimetry principles comprehension, as well as the ability to perform data analysis, were evaluated by a quiz and laboratory
report. LAH satisfaction was assessed by questionnaire and focus group discussion. The learning
outcomes were successfully achieved, although students who performed the experiment individually
received higher scores than those who did in groups. Students were very satisfied with the LAH as a
tool for new normal experimentation, yet some students faced a poor Internet connection during the
synchronous online class.