What if the system needs fixing instead of the students?
About this episode
The episode discusses the need to create supportive learning environments in chemistry education to help students thrive rather than just survive.
What if the biggest challenge in chemistry education isn’t helping students survive—but helping them thrive? In this final bonus episode of our BCCE Community Conversation series, Melissa talks with Leyte Winfield about creating learning environments where students feel like they belong. They discuss moving beyond “weed-out” culture, designing courses that maintain high standards while expanding opportunity, and why the future of chemistry depends on empowering talented students rather than simply filtering them out. It’s a fitting conclusion to a series all about rethinking how we teach and learn chemistry.
More episodes of Chemistry For Your Life
- What’s really happening when our hair gets damaged?
- What does neurodiversity mean for chemistry education?
- What’s the chemistry behind hairspray?
- How can chemistry teachers learn from each other? (BCCE 2026)
- Ask a Chemist: Is Silicone actually safe? (and other questions)
- How can we apply chemistry to real-world problems in the classroom? (BCCE 2026)
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