Environmental Impact Project
The Environmental Impact research project brings the real world of organic chemistry into the classroom with the students. Students get to select their own chosen organic compound and research what it is used for, possible problems with it, and think up a solution if deemed necessary. The project allows a lot of flexibility and creativity on the part of the students, and they can take it in almost any direction they choose, so long as they fall within the guidelines of the assignment. It's a chance for the students to have some fun learning about real-life organic chemistry applications, and realize that these exist outside of the classroom, not just as an abstraction within our minds. The hope is that students are better informed in the future about chemistry and science in the real world, and that they will have the tools to do their own research about whatever necessary when the time comes.