The Chemical Institute of Canada has announced that Professor Barb Morra of the Department of Chemistry is the recipient of the CIC Award for Chemistry Education for 2025.
“The CIC Award for Chemistry Education is presented as a mark of recognition to a person who has made an outstanding contribution in Canada to education at the post-secondary level in the field of chemistry or chemical engineering,” read the official announcement.
“I’m really honoured to have been selected for this award,” Morra said, noting the recognition of her dedication to curriculum renewal, including extensive development of new laboratory experiments and student resources. “I’m fortunate to be able to work with so many committed faculty, staff, and students. It’s very rewarding to help students engage with chemistry in meaningful ways by giving them opportunities to think and act like modern researchers.”
Andy Dicks, Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies, also praised Morra's emphasis on teaching in a way that offers students a true sense of the research experience. “Barb has been instrumental in moving away from traditional “cookbook” undergraduate experiments to designing those which are discovery-based in nature. These experiments more truly reflect the nature of scientific research and provide our students with a flavour of what it is like to test a hypothesis and to collaborate with one another in group projects.”
“This style of practical work undoubtedly prepares our students more effectively for the rigor of upper-level courses and final-year research projects, as well as graduate school,” Dicks said.
When asked about her recent teaching achievements, Morra spoke about a multi-year curriculum renewal project she led that changed the way 1st and 2nd year organic chemistry is taught within the Department of Chemistry. “With the help of faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students, I led the overhaul of the in-class curriculum, tutorials, and the majority of the laboratory experiments in CHM151Y(F), CHM136H, CHM247H, and CHM249H.”
“The new curriculum has students engage with the content through a mechanistic perspective and includes real-world case studies, research examples, and green chemistry concepts to help students see how chemistry is applied outside of the classroom. It is so wonderful to see the content finally introduced in the classroom!”
The CIC announcement also applauds Morra’s work in green chemistry beyond U of T, working with international collaborators in a way that, “has empowered global educators to make meaningful changes in their teaching through open-access materials and professional development opportunities.”
The praise refers to Morra's practice of engaging with numerous teaching and learning communities in a variety of pedagogical projects and outreach initiatives. “I’m currently involved with green chemistry communities including the ACS-Green Chemistry Initiative, Beyond Benign, the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC), and also serve as the Treasurer of the new CIC Green Division. I hope my role in these communities continues to fuel change in how chemistry is taught and practiced.”
Morra is set to embark on a sabbatical this summer, during which she intends, among other things, to reflect on ways the department can further integrate more sustainable practices into both undergraduate courses and research initiatives. For now, she conveyed her gratitude towards the Department of Chemistry and all of the support she has received from people within the department.
“I’d like to recognize all of the enthusiastic and hard-working faculty, staff and students in the department that make my role as an educator so rewarding.”
I hope my role in these (green chemistry) communities continues to fuel change in how chemistry is taught and practiced. --Prof. Barb Morra