College of Science » Chemistry-Seminars

Distinguished Alumni Seminar at the University of Utah
with Sally Hunnicutt, Professor of Chemistry Emerita at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)


TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-person seminar

POGIL-PCL: Workshops and experiments to support teaching and learning in the physical chemistry laboratory
by Sally Hunnicutt, Professor of Chemistry Emerita at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)

Abstract: POGIL-PCL, Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning for the Physical Chemistry Laboratory, represents a community of instructors involved in the development and implementation of experiments for this course. The POGIL-PCL community was built on the emergence of experiments using guided inquiry principles; the experiments emphasize modeling of macroscopic and microscopic chemical phenomena, student design and refinement of experimental protocols, and data pooling to uncover physical chemistry principles. The POGIL-PCL experiment model was developed at workshops that create and support a community of experiment authors and adopters. Both in-person workshops and their online counterparts provide the experience of doing an experiment including teamwork, experiment design, and data analysis. The experiment model continues to evolve as faculty inject new ideas, in particular the incorporation of scientific practices as specific learning goals. The experiment What are the kinetic parameters of a heterogeneous reaction? will be described in detail to illustrate both aspects of POGIL-PCL: the community and the experiments.

Bio: Sally Hunnicutt is Professor of Chemistry Emerita at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), who also served as the Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs in Sciences and Mathematics within the College of Humanities and Sciences. She retired from VCU in 2024 after 27 years of service.  Dr. Hunnicutt earned her B.A. in Chemistry and Science Education from Duke University in 1983, her M.S. degree in Chemistry from the University of Utah in 1986 (with Charles Wight), and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Cincinnati in 1990. Dr. Hunnicutt’s research focused on chemical education, particularly the creation, implementation, and impact of guided inquiry learning in various classroom settings. A significant part of her work involved POGIL (Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning), and she was instrumental in the POGIL-PCL (Physical Chemistry Laboratory) project, developing new experiments collaboratively with faculty nationwide. Throughout her career at VCU, Dr. Hunnicutt was recognized for her dedication to teaching excellence. She received the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences Teaching Award in 2012 and the VCU University Distinguished Teaching Award in 2015. She also served as Associate Chair in the Department of Chemistry. Her commitment extended to faculty development and curriculum design, leaving a lasting impact on the university. Dr. Hunnicutt also played a vital role in the conception and development of VCU's new STEM Building, which includes the Sally Hunnicutt Science Hub, named in her honor.   She and her husband, Michael, have two sons, Patrick and Nathan, and they enjoy hiking, climbing, mountain biking, and running.