My journey in chemistry education

Abstract

Chemistry is filled with complex and abstract concepts in interconnected systems. It is considered as the central science for linking with other scientific disciplines. Chemistry cannot be separated from our daily life. But it has been a challenge for school students to learn its concepts at various levels of educational systems. In this article, I will start with an introduction on investigations of students' conceptions of chemical concepts, teachers' understanding of students' knowledge of scientific phenomena, and strategies for promoting students' conceptual change in learning science, including model-based and modeling-based instruction as well as adoption of innovative technology in learning sciences (such as, the use of facial expressions system augmented reality and virtual reality in learning chemistry). And then, I will describe a few outreach activities on promoting public understanding of chemistry, developing educators' competence in teaching chemistry, as well as investigation on gender gap in STEM sponsored by ISC, IUPAC and other unions and partners.