As students finish off the 2023-2024 school year, they look back at the journey through General Chemistry, a subject that has sparked curiosity and laid the foundations for future scientists. It is no surprise that the chemistry course is not easy, it is a course that requires a lot of attention and comprehension, therefore we have gathered the perspectives of two chemistry students as well as the chemistry teacher to gain insights into what the curriculum looked like, the teaching methods, challenges and the overall impact of the course

Camila Ochoa Podesta and Maria del Mar Molina, both students from this year’s general chemistry course, share their insights on various aspects of the curriculum and their experiences throughout the year. 

“Some aspects of the chem curriculum I found the most interesting were the labs and how it was possible to do it in a team,” Camila Ochoa, Grade 10, said.

“I found interesting the labs that we did and topics related to reactions,” Maria del Mar Molina, Grade 10, said.

Both of them thought that the difficulty level of the course was manageable, acknowledging the need for additional practice in some concepts. Ochoa effects on the learning methods employed, noting their effectiveness in not only keeping the class engaged but also in helping students stay on track and avoid deconcentration

“The learning methods used this year were effective, it was interactive but didn’t get off topic,” Ochoa said.

“My teacher did support us by explaining to us multiple times the topic until we learned how to do it ourselves,” Molina said.

Mr. Schas, the Chemistry teacher this year, provides valuable insights into his teaching approach and the curriculum redesign, explaining how this year the curriculum was deeply focused on real-life situations.

“I would say it engages different types of kids than previous years, this year it is a lot more inquiry-based,” Schas said. “The best part about the way we redesigned it is that it all applies to real life.”

While trying to achieve a balance between theoretical learning and practical application is important, students also appreciate the importance of having lab work incorporated and wish to have had more of those experiences.

“I do wish to do more labs, but I would say there was a good balance,” Ochoa said.

Challenges, such as balancing equations, are acknowledged by both students as integral parts of the learning process. Despite these challenges, they express a sense of accomplishment and readiness for future academic endeavors.

Challenges like balancing equations are acknowledged by both students during their learning process, but despite these challenges, there is also a sense of accomplishment and readiness for their future academic prospects.

As the year comes to an end, reflection not only from students but also teachers showcases the importance of engaging teaching methods and a supportive learning environment. These insights pave the way for the next general chemistry students and teachers to come, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate the complexities of the world successfully.