Palomas, David; Sonmez, Buse; (2025) Student Startups. A Problem-Based Learning Strategy to Launch Career-Ready Chemists. Presented at: Variety in Chemical Education/Physics Higher Education Conference (VICEPHEC) 2025, Liverpool, UK.

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Abstract

In a rapidly evolving job market, it is essential to prepare students to understand the nature of roles available for chemistry graduates. This presentation introduces a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) strategy implemented in a sustainable chemistry module, designed to equip students with the confidence and familiarity needed to navigate industry-specific language when applying for jobs. This PBL approach simulates the hierarchical structure of a startup company (Figure 1), where lead academics take on executive roles like chief executive officer (CEO) or chief scientific officer (CSO), introducing real-world sustainability challenges while allowing students to devise solutions. Postgraduate Teaching Assistants (PGTAs) are Project Managers, guiding students’ team discussions and maintaining professional group dynamics without providing direct answers. Students work in teams to solve real-world industry problems while assuming roles inspired by actual job postings, such as Research Scientist, Sustainability Officer, and Patent Attorney. Preliminary feedback suggests that students appreciate this approach, as it helps them apply their knowledge to real-world contexts and gain insights into various career paths. Although initially implemented in a sustainable chemistry module, this model is adaptable to other scientific disciplines, providing a student-centred framework that bridges the gap between education and employment in STEM fields.

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