The teaching of chemistry to non-science majors at colleges and universities throughout the country utilizes, from time to time, methods that are non-conventional, at best. Columbia College - Chicago caters to arts and communication students majoring, in part in: Art & Design, Creative Writing, Theater, Television, Audio Arts and Acoustics and Cinema Art and Science. In courses taught by this instructor, chemical concepts are introduced through use of video clips culled from a variety of science and science fiction based television programs and movies. A plethora of electronic distractions bombard college students including simple texting, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tinder, etc. College instructors therefore need to employ unique methods to capture and keep the interest of their students while still teaching them important chemical concepts. This is attempted in four areas in chemistry-based courses at Columbia College – Chicago; chemical reactions, heavy metal poisoning, gas laws and introduction to the field of nanotechnology. This effort begins with the presentation of relevant television or movie clips. A discussion of the correctness or lack of chemical correctness of the respective clips follows. Correct chemistry is then demonstrated/shown/discussed [if necessary] with students and afterwards a laboratory experiment is conducted. Each concept area is then reviewed to reinforce the information learned.

Use of science and science fiction based television and movie clips in the instruction of non-chemistry majors

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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