Despite multiple calls for reform, the curriculum for first-year college chemistry at many universities across the world is still mostly fact-based and encyclopedic, built upon a collection of isolated topics, oriented too much towards the perceived needs of chemistry majors, focused too much on abstract concepts and algorithmic problem solving, and detached from the practices, ways of thinking, and applications of both chemistry research and chemistry education research in the 21st century. 'CHEM XXI' focuses on providing an alternative way of conceptualizing the introductory chemistry curriculum for science and engineering majors by shifting the focus from learning chemistry as a body of knowledge to understanding chemistry as a way of thinking. The central goals of our new curriculum are to: promote deeper conceptual understanding of a minimum core of fundamental ideas instead of superficial coverage of multiple topics; connect core ideas between the course units by following well defined learning progressions; introduce students to modern ways of thinking and problem-solving in chemistry; and involve students in realistic decision-making and problem-solving activities.  To support this approach, we have developed a number of interactive simulations, class notes and activies, videos for YouTube that illustrate chemical thinking and are developing an interactive ebook titled 'Chemical Thinking'.

Chemistry XXI: A new curriculum for a modern era that focuses on teaching how we think instead of what we know

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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