Implementing a Multidisciplinary Program for Developing Learning, Communication, and Team-Working Skills in Second-Year Undergraduate Chemistry Students

Abstract

Since 2002, a multidisciplinary program has been used to encourage science students to build on their chemical knowledge and to appreciate how it applies to the world around them. The program is interactive and instills a new set of core learning skills that are often underrepresented in undergraduate curricula, namely, cooperative learning, communication and presentation skills, and resource mining. The second-year science cohort of 220 students is divided into small groups. Each group proposes a topic through which to explore the societal role played by chemistry. The program has two components: a report written by pairs of students and a short competitive group presentation. The multiple positive outcomes of the program have been assessed, including the less tangible benefit of a renewed connectivity between students and staff engaged in the pursuit of chemistry.

Reporting Biochemistry to the General Public through a Science Communication Writing Assignment

“…A range of experiences and assignments centered around science communication about chemistry are described in the literature, but one application of science communication that has been neglected is how course content ties to disciplinary research. − Given the opportunity to explicitly communicate course content found in modern-day research, students may be able to reinforce their knowledge of said content and become more comfortable describing scientific research. Because writing has been found to be useful for both communicating and building knowledge in chemistry and biochemistry courses, as well as supporting students’ understanding of the relevance of course content, we developed an assignment that placed students in the role of a scientific journalist and implemented it into an undergraduate biochemistry course. − …”

Working in a Team: Development of a Device for Water Hardness Sensing Based on an Arduino–Nanoparticle System

“…Teamwork is one of the main soft skills valued by employers and a stimulating challenge to be implemented in educational programs. , Nowadays, the collaboration between different knowledge sectors is essential when carrying out projects . This is particularly important for chemistry, which is involved in almost every other scientific and technological field .…”

Action Research: Integrating Chemistry and Scientific Communication To Foster Cumulative Knowledge Building and Scientific Communication Skills

“…This journal in particular has published several examples of such initiatives that were specifically applied within the chemistry discipline. Some of these include the following: the development and incorporation of a series of assignments into a general first-year course, with the object of enhancing science literacy; 10 the development of a two-course model to introduce third-and fourth-year students to chemistry literature and develop their communication and critical thinking skills; 11 the introduction of a program into the second year, to promote cooperative learning, communication and presentation skills, as well as information resourcing and analysis; 12 a course developed and taught by a team consisting of the university's chemistry librarian and a chemistry lecturer, addressing chemistry information literacy, written and oral communication skills, professional ethics, and career preparation; 13 the development of assignments regarding the use of the Wikipedia resource, to teach students how to critically evaluate the chemistry content, as well as contribute to it. 14,15 Although these initiatives were successful, the studies were either done in isolation within the various chemistry departments, or with the aid of individual staff members such as librarians.…”