During the ACS Spring 2019 National meeting, we had the opportunity to present the preliminary results of how the develop and implementation of innovative and dynamic instructional materials and active learning strategies are necessary to motivate and increase the retention of students in general chemistry courses at UPRB. This year we want to present an update of the progress of the continuous efforts we made in order to ensure the students’ progress, engagement, and success in the curse.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a great impact on the UPRB's Department of Chemistry, facing a challenge in adapting learning processes. The academic activities used such as participatory interactive workshops, use of technology as interesting media to learn, dynamic classroom learning environments, invitations and stimulate participation in science activities continues as important strategies to reinforce chemistry topics in an interactive way. 
This academic year we are working in an educational research proposal supported by the institution entitled: “Evaluation of collaborative learning strategies to develop a tutoring program for General Chemistry students”. The purpose of this research is to create a Collaborative Learning environment within a virtual and controlled classroom setting, which provides an opportunity for guided and directed learning to all types of students enrolled in the General Chemistry course with supplementary instructors trained and supervised by the researchers following the “Training of Trainers (ToT)” model. In the proposal, we aim that the students will develop learning skills with different teaching-learning tools.
The results demonstrate that the participation and implementation of these educational activities motivate students to stay in the chemistry course as well as continue in STEM disciplines and prepare them for graduate school or as future scientists. These results could serve as the basis for the development of other learning models for other courses, departments, and institutions.

Increasing motivation and retention for general chemistry students in University of Puerto Rico-Bayamón in pandemic times.

ACS Spring 2022

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