DLESE description of Computers in Chemistry at Cabrillo College

The goal of the Computers in Chemistry at Cabrillo College (C4) Project is to improve the learning of chemical concepts through the use of computer visualization. C4 produces and disseminates software to be used in chemistry and biology classrooms, both in colleges and high schools. The project specializes in the design and educational use of molecular visualizations and animations. C4 is producing scientifically accurate and visually compelling computer-generated images and animated movies of many important chemicals and processes. Molecules, ranging in size from water to DNA, are the first focus of the project. Computer images can bring molecules "alive" and readily show the sizes, shapes and reactions of hundreds of different compounds. These images are being combined with text, narration and interactive controls to create software tutorials that can be presented by teachers or run directly by students. The C4 web site also includes problem sets (college level), a molecular library, a tutorial exploring the structure of the protein insulin, and links to other sites about molecular modeling.