Figuring out the best way to motivate students to learn chemistry, especially students of non-chemistry majors, continues to be a challenge in undergraduate chemical education. As part of my pedagogical research<i>, </i>a weekly report on Molecule of the Week from the ACS website as a teaching tool was incorporated into my general chemistry course (first semester of general chemistry) and organic chemistry course (second semester of organic chemistry). Through this activity, a variety of interesting molecules, which are closely related to our everyday life, were introduced to the students. The assignment provided opportunities to incorporate writing and literature searching in the curriculum. Due to the fact that students in these two courses have different levels of background knowledge in chemistry, the two different groups of students were encouraged to search for and study different aspects of each Molecule of the Week. Two different guidelines for the reports were provided to the students of the two courses at the beginning of the semester. Qualitative and quantitative feedback on this activity from the two groups of students will be presented. This teaching tool was shown to promote students’ intrinsic academic motivation in learning chemistry. It helped the students understand the course material and its relevance and significance to life and the world. This activity also helped to expand student learning outside the classroom and to advance our students.

Motivating students to learn chemistry with Molecule of the Week

2019 Fall National Meeting

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