Inspired by the curriculum development and dissemination organization SENCER (Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities), incorporating issues of environmental sustainability into the general chemistry curriculum has become a key component of my work in developing more innovative and engaging classroom experiences. More specifically, I have focused my efforts in two general areas: 1) developing and implementing an investigative lab experience built around the issue of air quality and ground level ozone; and 2) developing and implementing problem-based case studies for large enrollment general chemistry courses that focus on a variety of environmental sustainability issues.  These efforts have been successful in engaging students in active learning pedagogies and allowing students to better appreciate the value of chemistry in their everyday lives, particularly how chemistry can be used to address issues related to environmental sustainability.

Connecting environmental sustainability to the general chemistry curriculum using investigative labs and problem-based case studies

247th National Meeting (2014)

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