Integrating “Molecule of the Week” as a Teaching Tool in an Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Course

Abstract

Student motivation, particularly among nonchemistry majors, remains a crucial area of focus in undergraduate education. This study explored the implementation of “Molecule of the Week” (MOTW) reports from the American Chemical Society (ACS) website as an educational tool in the second-semester Organic Chemistry course (CHE213) at Salem State University. By incorporating guided questions and requiring a literature search, the MOTW assignment was designed to connect molecules relevant to everyday life with organic chemistry concepts to increase student engagement and motivation, as well as to integrate writing and research into the organic chemistry course curriculum. Results from this study indicated that students found the MOTW reports to be effective in highlighting the relevance of organic chemistry to students’ daily lives. Additionally, this assignment encouraged interdisciplinary connections by linking organic chemistry with other fields, such as biology, biochemistry, environmental science, and allied health sciences. This integration was intended to develop students’ motivation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the results suggest that incorporating the MOTW assignment was effective at improving student motivation and deepened their comprehension of complex chemical concepts.