Student-Focussed Approaches that can Enhance Understanding and Appreciation of Research in the Chemical Sciences

Grace E. O. Constable; Alex C. Bissember; Reyne Pullen

doi:10.1071/CH21097

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

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Student-Focussed Approaches that can Enhance Understanding and Appreciation of Research in the Chemical Sciences

Grace E. O. Constable

^A ^D , Alex C. Bissember

^B ^D and Reyne Pullen

^C ^D

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

^B School of Natural Sciences – Chemistry, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas. 7005, Australia.

^C School of Chemistry, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

^D Corresponding authors. Email: g.constable@unsw.edu.au; alex.bissember@utas.edu.au; reyne.pullen@sydney.edu.au

Australian Journal of Chemistry 74(9) 627-631 https://doi.org/10.1071/CH21097
Submitted: 22 April 2021 Accepted: 23 July 2021 Published: 10 August 2021

Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2021 Open Access CC BY

Abstract

The alignment of intended learning outcomes for chemistry graduates and the actualised outcomes has been called into question recently. Opportunities to address this lie in the integration of undergraduate learning experiences in which students develop real-world skills and engage with problems that they may encounter as graduates in contemporary workplaces or modern society more broadly. This Highlight article provides an overview of three such approaches, including offering students authentic research experiences within (or outside of) normal degree programs, engaging students in citizen science projects, and considering curriculum reforms to better align with a systems thinking framework. Where possible, we provide explicit examples grounded in the Australian context, accompanied by some thoughts on the challenges that may be encountered when implementing these approaches in practice.

Keywords: systems thinking, curriculum design, undergraduate research, undergraduate chemistry, chemistry education, citizen science, chemistry in society, threshold learning outcomes.

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