Cincy State faculty member shared science teaching ideas at professional conferences

Dr. Kevin Skinner, Chair of the Cincinnati State Chemistry Department, was invited by the American Chemical Society (ACS) to share an active learning module he developed at the Two-Year College Chemistry Consortium Conference in Spring 2026.

At the conference, Dr. Skinner participated in a panel discussion and facilitated a module-related activity for the conference participants. 

The active learning module was developed as part of Skinner’s involvement with the ACS Two-Year Faculty Community of Practice. He was one of ten faculty members selected by ACS to join the Community of Practice group.

“In addition to the panel discussion, I also enjoyed the opportunities to learn from others about new tools and techniques to explain chemical concepts to students,” Skinner said.

Dr. Skinner also was selected to present a poster session titled “Using Puzzles to Build Molecules” at the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE) in July 2026. His poster session explored applications of a new method for helping students learn how to draw chemical structures using pattern recognition and the Jigsaw active learning technique. His participation was supported by a scholarship awarded by the ACS Division of Chemical Education.

“I’ve used this technique in several college chemistry classes, and it could be adapted for high school chemistry classes also,” Skinner said.

“It was good to meet with other chemical educators at the conference and build connections between schools,” he added.

The BCCE meeting is the largest gathering of chemistry educators in the world, bringing together instructors, education researchers, K–12 teachers, and education-focused professionals to help chemistry educators make connections with colleagues in formal and informal settings, and to provide sources for ideas and materials.

The American Chemical Society is a non-profit organization founded in 1876 and chartered by the U.S. Congress. The organization’s mission is “to advance scientific knowledge, empower a global community, and champion scientific integrity.”