Host Dave Schlom is joined by California Institute of Technology professor Sarah Reisman for an in-depth conversation about teaching one of the most difficult subjects taught on any college campus: organic chemistry.
Dr. Reisman recently won the Richard P. Feynman Award for excellence in teaching on the Pasadena, California campus, recognized by both her peers and students for her superb teaching abilities. Organic chemistry is often viewed as a "gatekeeper" type course, designed to "weed out" weak students.
But Reisman not only bristles at that concept, but she also makes sure she does all she can to keep that gate open! Organic chemistry is important, not only for scientists, but it's a part of everyday life, from your household products to understanding the underlying chemical principles that propel living organisms.
Resiman takes us on a journey to understand some of the basic concepts of organic chemistry, but also how she makes them understandable and accessible for her students!
