Francis Patron

PhD Purdue University, 1997

 

 

Office Q-021-B,  extension 2538,  fpatron@uprm.edu,  www.fpatron.com

 

 

 

 Research Interests:

 

Chemistry education research on the teaching and learning of chemistry, with particular interest in physical chemistry. Professor Patron conducted one of the first studies of the learning process in physical chemistry. He contributed to the development of chemical education research methodology by applying qualitative research methods to the study of student learning in thermodynamics.

 

Presently, research focuses on the following aspects:

 

  1. The relationship between mathematical and chemical concepts in the learning process in physical chemistry
  1. Student conceptions of chemical concepts
  1. The development of qualitative research methods
  1. The use of computer technology in the teaching and learning of chemistry
  2. The development of curriculum and curricular materials in chemistry

For more information, se http://www.fpatron.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUNDED PROJECTS

 

1.    Improving Math and Science Performance in the College of Agriculture (USDA)

 

Descripción del proyecto: Creación de módulos en computadora para todos los temas importantes de química general (QUIM 3001-3002). Los módulos se van a crear con ejemplos y aplicaciones a agronomía para ilustrar los conceptos. Incluirán visualizaciones y simulaciones además de secciones interactivas. El objetivo es crear recursos para ayudar y motivar a los estudiantes del colegio de agricultura para disminuir la tasa de fracasos de estos estudiantes en los cursos de química general. El proyecto también tendrá el efecto de preparar a estos estudiantes para cursos más avanzados (como por ejemplo cursos de agronomía sobre química de suelos). Los módulos se crearán en español y en inglés y se harán disponibles en Puerto Rico y en todo Estados Unidos. 

 

2.     Physical Chemistry Laboratory Improvement Initiatives

Colegio de Artes y Ciencias, Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez

 

Descripción del proyecto: Propuesta para obtener fondos para instalar programas como Mathcad en las computadoras que se instalarán en el laboratorio de química física. El salón Q-048 ya ha sido remodelado con ese propósito. El objetivo es introducir el uso de programas de matemática simbólica en el currículo de química física. Se ha demostrado que dichos programas promueven el aprendizaje en química física.

 

3.     Math and Science Partnerships (NSF-MSP)

 

Descripción del proyecto: Proyecto que continuará los esfuerzos del proyecto PR-CETP para preparar maestros de ciencias y matemáticas y contribuir al mejoramiento de la educación en las escuelas de Puerto Rico. El proyecto es una colaboración entre varias instituciones, incluyendo el RUM.

 

 

The MSP seeks to improve student outcomes in high-quality mathematics and science by all students, at all preK-12 levels. As the achievement of students rises, the MSP expects to significantly reduce achievement gaps in mathematics and science education among diverse student populations. To achieve these long-term outcomes, the MSP program will support the development, implementation, and sustainability of exemplary partnerships addressing the following goals:

 

GOAL 1: To enhance significantly the capacity of schools to provide a challenging curriculum for every student, and to encourage more students to participate in and succeed in advanced mathematics and science courses.

 

GOAL 2: To increase and sustain the number, quality, and diversity of preK-12 teachers of mathematics and science, especially in underserved areas, through further development of a professional education continuum that considers traditional preservice education as well as alternative routes into the profession, professional development during early phases of a career (i.e., induction), and continued professional growth (inservice) in mathematics and science for preK-12 teachers.

 

GOAL 3: To contribute to the national capacity to engage in large-scale reform through participation in a network of researchers and practitioners, organized through the MSP program, that will study and evaluate educational reform and experimental approaches to the improvement of teacher preparation and professional development.

GOAL 4: To engage the learning community in the knowledge base being developed in current and future NSF Centers for Learning and Teaching and Science of Learning Centers.

 

PROPOSALS

 

1.    Qualitative Investigation of Engineering Service Learning (NSF-EEC)

 

Descripción del proyecto: Investigación del proceso de aprendizaje de estudiantes del programa EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service) de ingeniería (http://epics.ecn.purdue.edu/). Se utilizarán métodos cualitativos de investigación. Este proyecto se extenderá para hacer estudios del proceso de aprendizaje en química.

 

 

OTHER PROJECTS

 

 

  1. Curriculum Innovation: Development of a new BS degree program in Chemical Education designed to prepare chemistry secondary school teachers in Puerto Rico.

 

  1. Enhancement of Student Learning: Development and coordination of the Chemistry Resource Room at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM). This facility, modeled after similar facilities at Purdue University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is a chemistry learning center that provides academic assistance to students taking chemistry courses at UPRM and promotes cooperative learning.

  

 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

 

  1. The Learning Process in Physical Chemistry: A Study of the Development of Physical-Mathematical Reasoning in the Mind of the Learner of Thermodynamics. F. Patron and G. M. Bodner. October, 2003. To be submitted.

 

  1. The Role of Qualitative Research Methods in the Search for an Understanding of the Factors that Influence Student Performance in Physical Chemistry, Francis Patron, Paper presented at the symposium Advances in Chemical Education Research, 225th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, New Orleans, LA, March  2003.

 

  1. Incertidumbre y Error en Mediciones Científicas and  Fuerzas Intermoleculares: La Gota de Petróleo, Francis Patron. In Aprendizaje Activo  en la Sala de Clases Universitaria: Actividades para Ciencias, Matemáticas y Educación, published by PR-CETP (funded by the National Science Foundation), San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2003.

 

  1. Physical Chemistry and Mathematics: Student Misconceptions, Francis Patron, Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Conference, Hacia la Excelencia en la Preparación de Maestros de Ciencias y Matemáticas, Alliance for the Excellence in Teacher Preparation (PR-CETP), Ponce, Puerto Rico, January 25, 2002.

 

  1. Physical Chemistry and Mathematics: What Students Have to Say, Francis Patron, Proceedings of the First Chemistry Congress, Diálogo y Reflexión Sobre la Enseñanza de la Química a Nivel Universitario, Alliance for the Excellence in Teacher Preparation (PR-CETP), Ponce, Puerto Rico, November 30, 2001.

 

  1. Why do they Find Physical Chemistry so Difficult? Is it the Math? A View from the Perspective of Average Students, Francis Patron, 25th Senior Technical Meeting of the Puerto Rico Local Section of the American Chemical Society, San Juan, Puerto Rico, November 3, 2001.

 

  1. Conceptual Understanding of Thermodynamics: A Study of Graduate and Undergraduate Students, Francis Patron and George Bodner, 214th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Las Vegas, September 1997.