Developing novel approaches to teaching Organic Chemistry is a difficult task. Professors are expected to create engaging curriculums, while often receiving little formal training in teaching and education. Students meanwhile consider Organic Chemistry to be one of the most difficult courses for undergraduates and often struggle to successfully complete the course. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of a project based credit opportunity on student success, and to evaluate different methods for engaging students in the Organic Chemistry curriculum. Students were given the option of submitting a video recording where they demonstrated mastery of a multi-step synthesis.  This synthesis involves two complex reactions, a Claisen reaction, and a Saponification reaction. On the following test, both reaction mechanisms were tested in addition to Aldol reactions, which were used as a control. At the completion of the course, students completed the American Chemical Society’s Organic Chemistry final which also tested these mechanisms.

Project based opportunities in organic chemistry education

2019 Spring National Meeting

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