Trent University Chemistry professor Dr. Andrew Vreugdenhil and graduate student Kelly Wright have created a free public digital resource to help students prepare for first-year chemistry.

‘Be Prepared! Everything You Should Know for First-Year Chemistry’ is available as an open educational resource (OER) through eCampusOntario – a nonprofit organization that aims to strengthen Ontario's post-secondary education system by increasing access to online learning resources. As it’s an OER with a Creative Commons License, the public can fully access and share the materials.

“Particularly this year, with high school students having had such a range of different experiences in grade 11 and grade 12 chemistry, and with so much learning going online, this is a critical time for us to make these modules available to ensure that incoming students do not feel left behind,” says Professor Vreugdenhil, adding the resource is also offered through the University’s website.

The interactive modules include instructional videos, sample problems to solve and some online quizzing so students can self-assess their progress. 

Looking ahead to further development of the resource, Prof. Vreugdenhil says he is looking to add a laboratory-skills element. 

“We are looking into ways to expand the modules so that they help students be that much more prepared for first-year chemistry,” he says.

Learn more about Trent Chemistry, which offers modern laboratory facilities designed to maximize student performance and award-winning faculty members