Education

Chemistry in education empowers students to understand the building blocks of matter, explore chemical reactions, and apply scientific principles, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and a deeper appreciation of the world around us.

Michael Edmonds

Michael is a passionate science and education advocate, and augmented his PhD in organic chemistry (1995) with a Masters in organisational psychology (2023). His Master’s thesis focused on student/learner motivation and wellbeing.

Why choose chemistry as a career path?

Michael Edmonds

Latest

Jul 2026

Why choose chemistry as a career path?

This article explores the reasons why chemists choose to study chemistry and how this information might better guide chemists and chemistry educators to encourage and support interest in chemistry from students.

Michael Edmonds

Jul 2026

New field book helps identify common pests and diseases

A 2025 booklet by the Rotoiti 15 Trust, DOC and Scion gives people an easy guide to spotting pests and diseases on native plants, helping protect Aotearoa’s biodiversity.

Bioeconomy Science Institute

Oct 2025

Canterbury Branch student perspectives from the NZIC Conference in Dunedin, Nov 2024

Canterbury Branch student travel grant reports from the NZIC Conference, Dunedin, 24-28 November 2024

Apr 2025

How paint works – brushing up on the science of paints

What is paint made of? How do paints get their colours? Dr Joanna Dowle looks at paint's history, chemistry, and how to use it safely.‍‍

Dr Joanna Dowle

Apr 2025

The benefits and limitations of laboratory automation in analytical laboratories

In today’s world, laboratories are under pressure to deliver fast, efficient results, meet research goals and minimise errors. The goal is maximum profit, at the expense of human resources. Andrew Todd looks at how laboratory automation has transformed the way technicians and researchers handle sample preparation.

Apr 2025

An organic chemist’s perspective on artificial intelligence

The widespread use of artificial intelligence has been a double-edged sword. It has facilitated significant technological advances in the field of chemistry, while creating significant publication and academic integrity problems. This article gives a brief introduction to the recent application of AI in chemistry, and an overview of the integrity issues.

Jingjing Wang* and Jen Sweny

Apr 2025

Transformation of a first year chemistry course at Massey University

Opposites attract: from electron distribution within molecules to understanding and predicting molecular behavior and chemical reactions.

Gareth J. Rowlands, Nessha Wise, Shane G. Telfer and Vyacheslav V. Filichev*

Jan 2025

Worth the wait: Easterfield lecture tour highlights

As the recipient of the 2019 Easterfield Award, Bill Hawkins finally undertook the UK lecture tour in 2023 after Covid-related disruptions. He says the trip was worth the wait and an incredible experience.

‍Bill Hawkins

Jan 2025

Where do they go and what do they do?

Exploring the career trajectories of chemistry PhD graduates using social media

Michael Edmonds

Oct 2024

56th International Chemistry Olympiad, Saudi Arabia

Congratulations to four students who represented Aotearoa NZ at the recent ICHO Chemistry Olympiad in Saudi Arabia.

Jun 2024

Outreach: what is it, why do it and how do you get started?

Dave Warren asks, "What is outreach, and why does it matter?"

Jul 2023

The chemistry of gin and tonic

The infamous gin and tonic is put to good use, teaching 100-level acids, bases, buffers and water chemistry…cheers!

Jan 2023

Motivating and engaging students to write in science

Dr Mal Thompson & Kayla Robertson

Apr 2023

CiNZ at your fingertips: teacher survey and suggestions to consider

To focus our efforts on material that is both well received and useful, a survey was conducted in August 2022.

James R. Wright

Jan 2023

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2022

The Nobel committee awarded the 2022 prize in equal shares to Barry Sharpless, Morten Meldal and Carolyn Bertozzi, for “an ingenious method of building molecules”, namely the development of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry.

Antony Fairbanks

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