Chemistry professor and former Dean of Undergraduates John Hutchinson played a key role in launching Student-Centered Active Learning at Rice (SCALAR), an idea sparked by a 2011 Scientia conference that inspired a wave of enthusiasm about active learning among faculty.
SCALAR reimagines the classroom, replacing traditional seating with flexible arrangements that promote small-group collaboration, encouraging students to actively engage in problem-solving and discussions.
Hutchinson’s CHEM 121 (General Chemistry) course was one of the first large-enrollment courses to adopt this approach, where students work in teams to construct knowledge through reasoning and discussion. This immersive method transforms the classroom into a dynamic space, placing students' intellectual growth at the forefront and making them the true drivers of their education.
