The general chemistry lab experience can be a major deciding factor on the career path of students in STEM fields. For some, that decision may be whether they will enjoy or despise chemistry. There are plenty of examples of labs being a exciting and fun experience for students, which can be achieved by regularly improving and adapting the lab to the changing student population. At McDaniel College, the general chemistry lab courses have been stagnant for some time, with a few alterations that proved unsuccessful or too tangential to course topics. Over the summer semester, our group of four recent general chemistry students concentrated on improving the functionality of existing labs, reducing hazards in many cases, and eliminating labs deemed unnecessary. We also developed new labs that had more applicability and less obstacles impeding student understanding. We assessed all labs for qualities including abiding by green chemistry principles, perceived difficulty, learning objectives, and synchronicity with the lecture course. With the creation of this updated general chemistry curriculum, we aim to foster an environment where future chemistry students can strengthen their scientific intuition and gain the confidence necessary to excel in future chemistry courses.

Rethinking the general chemistry labs: Modernizing, developing, and greening the general chemistry lab curriculum

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.