Welcome Emily De Almeida to Our Research Group!

We are thrilled to announce that Emily De Almeida has joined our chemistry education research group here at Monmouth University. Emily is currently a sophomore at Monmouth University, where she is pursuing a major in biology and is also an active member of the university soccer team.

Emily's passion for chemistry was ignited by the dynamic teaching methods in class, which had an engaging and fun approach to chemistry thus making a significant impact on her. Inspired by Dr. Burrows' influence, Emily is eager to explore ways to enhance chemistry learning experiences for other students. Her enthusiasm and fresh perspectives are invaluable assets to our research efforts.

Please join us in welcoming Emily to the team. We look forward to her contributions and are excited to see how her journey unfolds in the world of chemistry education research.

😢 Conclusion of time as CLEAR symposium Co-Chair

As I conclude my three-year journey as co-chair of the CLEAR symposium, I am filled with gratitude. This role allowed me to engage deeply with the intricacies of chemistry laboratory assessment and evaluation, alongside a community dedicated to excellence in research.

Thank you to all the participants, colleagues, and researchers who enriched this experience. Your dedication and insight have been pivotal in advancing our field. Though I am stepping down, I eagerly anticipate the future innovations that will emerge from CLEAR.

Rachel Present's at the Undergraduate Research Conference

At the recent Undergraduate Research Conference, Rachel Ludwick, a promising undergraduate researcher, presented her study on the flipped classroom. Her research investigated the flipped classroom model, where students engage with learning materials before class and use class time for interactive and practical exercises. This method aims to enhance student autonomy and engagement, central to Self-Determination Theory.

Rachel’s findings indicated that students in flipped classrooms experienced increased intrinsic motivation and academic performance. Through her presentation, she effectively used visuals and statistics to argue for the potential of flipped classrooms to fulfill students' psychological needs, thereby enhancing their learning experience.

Her work not only adds significant insights to educational psychology but also sparks discussions on improving teaching strategies. Rachel’s research promises to influence future educational methods and highlights her role as a leader in academic innovation.

Congratulations to Rachel for her exemplary performance and for proudly representing our university at the conference!

📢 New Paper Alert!

We're thrilled to announce the publication of our latest research paper titled "Beyond Intentions: Understanding the Gap between Safety Education and Student Behaviors" in the esteemed Journal of Chemical Education.

In this groundbreaking study, we delve into the crucial realm of safety education in undergraduate chemistry curricula. Titled "Beyond Intentions," our paper explores the intricate relationship between safety education and the actual behaviors exhibited by students in laboratory settings.

Here's a sneak peek into our findings: Despite the recognized importance of safety skills in laboratory environments, there exists a significant gap between the principles taught in safety education and the real-world behaviors of students. Our research sheds light on this disparity, uncovering insights into students' cognitive engagement, behaviors, questions, and concerns surrounding lab safety.

By comprehensively examining the safety mindset and culture among students, we aim to pave the way for future interventions and initiatives that bridge this critical gap. Our findings underscore the urgency of meaningful engagement and active learning in safety education to enhance students' safety awareness and ability to apply safe practices effectively.

We invite you to delve into the full paper in the Journal of Chemical Education to explore the nuances of our research and join us in the pursuit of safer laboratory environments for all. Together, let's catalyze positive change in chemical safety education!

Read the paper here: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c00620

#ChemicalSafety #EducationResearch #SafetyAwareness #StudentBehaviors #JournalPublication