As always, REAL Reactions is a space for chemistry educators to connect, share ideas, and spark new approaches to teaching.

In this edition, we’re keeping the momentum from EDUCAUSE 2025, featuring:
✅ A welcome message from our very own Faculty Innovator, Dr. Elaine Villanueva Bernal, Ed.D.
✅ A video explainer from Dr. Naomi Lee that breaks down nuclear chain reactions
✅ Insight from Dr. Amy E. Irwin, PhD Chemist/OBM/REAL CHEM FacultyAmbassador on what Three Mile Island teaches us about energy, perception, and chemistry’s real-world impact

We’re proud to spotlight the incredible work happening across the REAL CHEM community, and we can’t wait to share what’s next. Visit realchem.org to read the full issue!

#REALCHEM #ChemEd #ScienceEducation #STEMEducation #ChemistryEducation #FacultyVoices #ActiveLearning #Chemistry #EdTech

Too often, students see general chemistry as a weed-out course, something to get through rather than to enjoy. When it’s hard to see the relevance of chemistry in everyday life, engagement drops.

Joe explains how REAL CHEM course materials are designed to rethink the gateway experience. Real-world connections prove to students that they own the learning process, helping them develop a sense of mastery that feels truly earned.

To learn more about how general chemistry can become a launchpad into greater student success throughout college and life, visit realchem.org.

#REALCHEM #ChemEd #StudentSuccess #ChemistryConfidence #STEMEducation #GatewayCourses #STEM #LearningDesign

Roasted beans trigger the Maillard reaction. Polyphenols shift flavor with time. Even that smooth sip of hot chocolate? It’s theobromine and sugar crystals working together.

Let’s break down what’s happening (aka, the STEM behind the steam):

#REALCHEM #Chemistry #ChemEd #STEM #ChemicalReactions #STEMLearning #EverydayChemistry #ChemistryInContext

Whether you’re fighting off a foggy head, clogged sinuses, or an annoying fever, there’s a lot happening at the molecular level. Decongestants tighten blood vessels. Antihistamines block the signals that make your nose run. Fever reducers help your brain reset the thermostat.

It’s everyday chemistry doing its thing, and it’s kind of amazing!

Swipe to see a breakdown of how common meds interact with your body to help you breathe, sleep, and get through the day a little easier.

#REALCHEM #HealthChemistry #ChemEd #MolecularScience #ColdSeasonScience #EverydayChemistry #ChemistryInContext

His legacy is one of grit, brilliance, and impact. A story not just of chemistry, but of courage. By extracting compounds from soybeans, Julian pioneered the synthesis of cortisone and other hormones, revolutionizing medicine and making treatments affordable for millions.

Let’s remember that scientific excellence doesn’t always come with a prize, but it always leaves a mark.

#NobelWeek #Chemistry #STEMEducation #STEM #PercyJulian #ScienceHistory #REALCHEM

In honor of World AIDS Day, we’re tracing chemistry’s impact on modern medicine.

By allowing scientists to identify viral reactions like HIV on the atomic scale, chemistry creates the pathway to global health breakthroughs that save lives.

Together, the stories of chemists Gertrude Elion and Kizzmekia Corbett trace a single thread: how chemistry shapes healing, innovation, and equity across generations.

🌍 Swipe to explore the science behind HIV treatments and the chemists who paved the way. Learn more at realchem.org.

#WorldAIDSDay #STEMEducation #REALCHEM #ChemistryInContext #MedicinalChemistry #Chemistry #STEM

Bakelite was the first synthetic plastic and the spark that lit up modern design. Without it, the mass-produced plastic products that fill our homes and our favorite stores wouldn’t exist today.

Born in a lab, embraced in homes, and now collected as vintage art, Bakelite shows us how innovation travels through time.

And today, chemists are reimagining plastic’s purpose all over again. From durable to degradable, chemistry continues to shape what’s next.

Learn more about this and other fascinating chemistry history lessons that shape our world at realchem.org.

Or, find us on YouTube @ REAL STEM: https://lnkd.in/e5VgSj_q

#PolymerChemistry #ScienceHistory #ChemistryInCulture #SustainableMaterials #REALCHEM #STEMEducation #Bakelite

Healthcare. Energy. Manufacturing. Climate science.
The common thread is prediction.

From predicting how a molecule binds to a protein to designing a better battery before it exists, chemists are using chemistry, data, and computation to make smarter decisions before real-world consequences occur.

Swipe to explore a few of the ways chemistry is scaling across industries.

Which industry do you see adopting these tools the fastest?

Learn more at realchem.org.

#ChemEd #AIinScience #ComputationalChemistry #REALCHEM #HigherEd #STEMEducation

As Dr. Elaine Villanueva Bernal says, the REAL CHEM team is always here for support or a conversation. Whether you want to brainstorm a lesson idea, swap strategies, or just talk teaching, we’re in your corner.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us right here on social media or message us at realchem.org. Here’s to a semester full of curiosity, creativity, and connection. Let’s make it a good one!

#REALCHEM #ChemEd #HigherEd #FacultyCommunity #Spring2026

Chemistry lessons take place in labs, but also in our lakes, our lungs, and our atmosphere.

Spreading environmental education helps us ask better questions about the world around us, from water quality and air pollution to the molecular roots of climate change.

If you’re an educator, learner, or curious human, this moment is your reminder:
Environmental literacy is chemical literacy.

Swipe to see how chemistry helps us understand the environment, and check out how REAL CHEM connects these concepts to your classroom.

Join the conversation at realchem.org.

#EnvironmentalEducation #WorldEnvironmentalEducationDay #ChemEd #ScienceLiteracy #REALCHEM #STEMeducation