Hands-on SpectroscopyLinkingResearch and Schools

Resumo

Spectroscopy is an analyticaltechnique that uses the interaction of anelectromagnetic wave with matter by means ofrefraction in a prism or diffraction in a grating. Itis used in many fields of science andengineering. For example, X-ray diffractionspectroscopy allowed us to know the structureof DNA 70 years ago or is the technique usedcurrently to know the composition of stars. It isan important tool related with fundamentalconcepts of Physics and Chemistry and linked tohistorical scientific controversies such as thenature of light or the atomic model.It is therefore connected to curricula insecondary education, baccalaureate, and firstuniversity courses. The difficulty in learningthese concepts often lies in the non-obviousrelationship between the mathematicalformulation describing the phenomenon and itspractical experimental realisation. Moreover, inthese curricula, spectroscopy is presented intextbooks in a very theoretical and simplifiedway and, in the best of cases, with anexperimental part that most of the time is carriedout with complex and expensive laboratoryinstruments, but proper hands-on activities canbe lead to meaningful learning if the necessaryconditions are in place.In this paper we present a set of manipulativeactivities that have been used inside and outsidethe classroom during the academic year 2022-2023. The protocols and learning outcomes inseveral schools are shown