“MasterChemist”: A Novel Strategy for Reviewing Stoichiometry and Introducing Molecular Gastronomy to Chemistry Students

Abstract

This article presents and discusses the results of an educational innovation that seeks to introduce the world of molecular gastronomy in chemistry lessons as a means to review stoichiometry and offer an alternative way to learn. In the literature to date, there is no evidence of haute cuisine having been employed to contextualize stoichiometry problem statements with its everyday applications. The proposed novel strategy, called “MasterChemist”, involved the participation of Spanish first-year university students taking the subject General Chemistry in the Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering. A Game-Based Learning (GBL) approach was used to solve the exercises and make the activity more appealing and interesting by adding fun to the learning process. The problems were contextualized in the use of siphons, isomalt sugar, and the spherification technique. Furthermore, dividing students into groups also boosted their cooperative skills. The students’ answers to a final survey revealed that the general opinion regarding the activity was highly positive. The undergraduates reviewed some stoichiometry concepts which we had previously observed that they had problems understanding. In addition, the attractive theme of haute cuisine made the activity dynamic and enjoyable both for students and for the teacher.