REAL Reactions

When chemistry clicks, confidence soars.
At REAL CHEM, we’re not just teaching science—we’re sparking joy, empowerment, and a love for learning.

Created in collaboration between Arizona State University and Carnegie Mellon University, REAL CHEM is designed to help educators engage, inspire, and build confidence in their general chemistry students.

Backed by years of teaching experience and learning science research, we are committed to the idea that reaching students with varying levels of academic preparation is the key to boosting their success. That’s why we developed cinematic videos that break down complex concepts, problem-solving assignments using real-world data, and active learning strategies to form the foundation of our courseware.

With over 11,000 students using REAL CHEM across 30 institutions, we’re making an impact on retention and student outcomes. When students see themselves in chemistry, they explore deeper, solve harder problems, and push their understanding further.

Let’s build bonds that last beyond the classroom.
— The REAL CHEM Team

During undergrad I had my son, which made the journey harder but more meaningful. I earned a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry, completed post-doctoral research, and taught large General Chemistry courses.

I later led an Environmental Radiochemistry Lab supporting the U.S. Navy and then taught Radiochemistry and Organic Chemistry at a community college while caring for my son and ailing mother. I connected deeply with students balancing similar challenges.

After my mother passed, I joined a college in Kentucky serving first-generation students like me. I later returned to teaching in New York before moving into industry, working in quality management and systems engineering.

Chemistry taught me to adapt, write clearly, and explain complex ideas—skills that reach far beyond the lab. Now, I run my own business and am excited to be working with REAL CHEM as a faculty ambassador!

Green Chemistry is a branch of chemistry focused on designing and using chemicals that minimize pollution and hazardous waste. A key area of emphasis is reducing the impact of everyday chemicals used in homes and personal products.

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a non-toxic, skin-safe cleaner and weak acid that’s powerful enough to kill even the most stubborn viruses, including COVID-19 and norovirus—the infamous culprit behind cruise ship outbreaks. Amazingly, our bodies naturally produce HOCl as part of the immune response when fighting infection or healing wounds.

But don’t confuse it with sodium hypochlorite, the harsh chemical found in household bleach. Why focus on hypochlorous acid? Because it’s an incredibly effective germ-killer. So why isn’t it more widely known?

As highlighted in Scientific American’s article, “The Nontoxic Cleaner That Kills Germs Better Than Bleach—And You Can Use It on Your Skin,” author Jen Schwartz explains how earlier challenges with HOCl’s stability (especially exposure to air and light) limited its use. But recent innovations have solved those issues, making it possible to safely harness this compound in everyday cleaners—for hands, kitchens, and beyond.

It’s safe, it’s effective, and it was well worth the wait.

– Amy E. Irwin, PhD

Updates to REAL CHEM I & II Rolling Out this Fall!
Give your students a tour of the chemical world, the REAL CHEM way!

This summer, the Chemistry Education (CE) track at the LearnLab Summer School at Carnegie Mellon University is your chance to dive into real classroom data and advance your research skills. Perfect for educators, researchers, and learning scientists who want to explore how students learn—and contribute to meaningful, data-driven insights.

Join general chemistry faculty in MERLOT’s REAL CHEM Innovation Project for professional development and research opportunities.

Opportunities to participate include:

To learn more