Professor Thomas Wenzel of Bates College

"Chiral Compounds as NMR Shift Reagents and Catalysts for Curriculum Reform"

Examples of work in my laboratory using cyclodextrins, crown ethers, and resorcinarenes as enantioselective NMR shift reagents will be described. Of special significance is our development of chiral reagents suitable for use in water. The enhanced learning that occurs with undergraduate students who collaborate with me on projects was a major factor in causing me to restructure the way I teach my courses. Classroom activities are now taught using a collaborative learning approach. Laboratory exercises involve semester-long projects. Evidence for the value of active learning strategies that engage students will be discussed. Advice on how to prepare active learning exercises and effectively use them in the classroom and laboratory will be presented.