New College of Florida Offers ‘Arts in Chemistry’ Learning Resources to Middle and High School Students

March 17, 2022 – Sarasota

The students of Dr. Lin Jiang, an assistant professor of bioorganic chemistry at New College of Florida, have created a colorful, multimedia presentation of environmental dynamics and concerns, such as deforestation, and acid rain, for use as a teaching tool by local school teachers. The project, funded by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, also assembles videos of demonstrations of chemical principles that drive environmental concerns and potential solutions.

Creating eye-catching infographics and entertaining video demonstrations makes “Arts in Chemistry” an innovative way to extend the learning of college chemistry students while giving them the opportunity to turn classwork into educational tools for younger learners.

Professor Jiang created Arts in Chemistry to craft a curriculum that brought multidisciplinary learning into her students’ learning experience while strengthening the connections between the classroom and the real world. Arts in Chemistry accomplishes this in two ways. First, by engaging the students in exploring connections between chemistry and the environment. And second, by challenging the students to translate their learning into teaching resources for younger learners.

As described on the Arts in Chemistry website, the project “emphasizes how the specific discipline of chemistry can help us understand environmental issues, and what it can tell us about possible solutions to environmental problems the world is facing”.

Now with the website live, Arts in Chemistry is active and available for middle school and high school classrooms around the world. But students in Manatee and Sarasota County schools have the opportunity for a special bonus. Science teachers are invited to connect with New College to arrange for a live, interactive Arts in Chemistry demonstration on the New College campus.

Alternatively, teachers are encouraged to invite Professor Jiang to visit their classroom for a workshop and live demonstration. Requests for campus or classroom visits should be addressed to Bill Woodson in the Office of Outreach and Inclusive Excellence at New College at wwoodson@ncf.edu.