The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a leading scientific society that publishes peer-reviewed scientific journals. It is based in the United States and it supports scientific inquiry in the field of chemistry, natural sciences, and other related fields. Since 2001, on a weekly basis, the society publishes a chemical structure and a short article about it, i.e., “Molecule of the Week” or “MOTW”. The molecule can be notable for its current, future or historical importance or for any odd or unconventional reason. Each week’s molecule is also linked to the research databases like SciFinder® (https://www.cas.org/products/scifinder). In this study, college students enrolled in General Chemistry and Biochemistry courses were asked to reflect on the MOTW on a weekly basis. Longitudinal qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Parameters included were: pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, functional groups, green chemistry, health, safety & toxicity, disease, medication interactions, and any other information. Student learning outcomes were developed and organized into the categories: basic, intermediate and advanced, depending on the level of undergraduate education. This research presents a framework for motivating science and non-science students to learn chemistry through its everyday applications. Results showed that, the more the students reflected on the MOTW, the more relevant and meaningful science teaching was to them and the greater was their interest in science, and in some cases, the better they did in class.

Molecule of the week (MOTW) as a teaching tool in undergraduate education to motivate science learners

256th National Meeting (2018)

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