Amanda Bongers

We study how chemistry is taught and how students learn in science:

Chemistry has a central role to play in solving global challenges, but is this how we teach chemistry? We are exploring how sustainability is incorporated into general and organic chemistry education in Canada, and if a curriculum centered on sustainability improves students’ success and attitudes!

We’re combining research tools from educational research, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience to study learning in science. This project is interdisciplinary at its core; our goals are to both impact classrooms and inform future research. With our approach, hypotheses from learning can be translated into research questions to be tested with cognitive science, and similarly, discoveries in cognitive science can be translated into practices to be implemented and researched in the educational context.

Chemists are skilled in asking questions, developing and using models, and interpreting data, but are educators helping students develop these skills, or testing their abilities in these areas (hint: no!)? We’re exploring ways to incorporate these Science Practices into learning and assessments, and if these changes increase students’ self-concept as scientists, attitudes towards chemistry, and academic achievement.

If you are interested in participating in our research click below:

Are you interested in joining the group?
Contact Prof. Bongers with your CV.

Click here for current publications on Amanda’s ORCID page

We’re accepting applications from graduate students and undergraduate students!

>> Information about Chemistry Education Research in Canada

>> Application guidelines for graduate studies at Queen’s

Please email Prof. Bongers with your curriculum vitae if you are interested in joining our group!

We are not currently recruiting for any research studies at this time.

Prof. Bongers will teach CHEM 112 in the Winter Term 2020.

Amanda’s Teaching Philosophy