General chemistry commonly places a heavy emphasis on the "chemical quantitative relationship" with practical numerical calculations. In contrast, it often places insufficient emphasis on analyzing molecular structures and interpreting properties based on structures. This hands-on summative project was designed and implemented for the first-semester general chemistry class. The aims of this project are to motivate students to investigate the structure-property relationship at the molecular level and, more importantly, guide them to synthesize concepts and tools they learned throughout the entire semester. Each student was assigned a molecule (randomly generated from a large pool of molecule candidates) and asked to analyze its molecular structure (for example, Lewis structure, hybridization, and bonding scheme). Additionally, students were asked to predict their molecules' physical and chemical properties and potential real-life applications based on their structural analysis. Lastly, students were requested to craft models of molecules using creative and environmentally sustainable materials. Students' performance in this project was collected, and the effectiveness of this project was examined and analyzed.

From structures to properties: A hands-on project for general chemistry

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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