Evento

2019 SVACS Teacher Scholar Award Dinner

Speaker: Kathleen Armstrong, Ph.D.
Title: Why does it have to be so hard? Evaluating the value of a course in Organic Chemistry

Date: February 28, 2019

Time: 6:30-8:30 PM

Location: Foothill College, Room 4714
12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
The 4700 building is on the western part of the campus.

Parking: The closest parking lot is Lot 4. See: https://foothill.edu/map/images/FHMap_1600.png ACS will provide parking permits to members who register to attend this event after registration is complete.

Food: Steak, chicken, or veggie taco bar with non-alcoholic refreshments

Abstract
Organic Chemistry has long been considered one of the most difficult undergraduate courses. One rationale offered by Chemistry faculty is that mastery of Organic Chemistry requires extensive application of Analytic reasoning rather than relying on memorized content knowledge. This claim is only true, however, when assessment methods require explicit application of critical thinking. Careful attention to assessment at Foothill College has proven valuable in developing this important learning outcome. Graduates report back on their career pathways and the extent to which skills developed in their Organic Chemistry course influenced their success.

Professional Background
Kathleen received her Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry from the University of California at San Diego. While at UCSD, Kathleen worked in the laboratory of Prof. Charles Perrin, studying Stereo-electronic effects on conformation in sugars and other simple monomers. Most of her work there involved the use of NMR to probe three-dimensional structure and conformational equilibria. Following a post-doc at CSU in Fort Collins, CO, and a one-year teaching assignment at CU Boulder, Kathleen moved with her family to the SF Bay area and has been on the faculty at Foothill College since 2001. In addition to teaching Organic Chemistry, Kathleen has worked extensively on curriculum development and serves as faculty advisor for Foothill Colleges student chapter of the American Chemical Society. In the past 18 years at Foothill, she has had seen over 1000 of her students graduate.