With a mix of emotions, 21 participants, 7 leaders, and one indispensable snack fairy parted ways on Friday at the conclusion of VIPEr’s “Hetero-genius Catalysis at the Frontiers of Inorganic Chemistry” workshop at the University of Washington in Seattle.

The workshop was presented in a “back to grad school” format in which participants were schooled intensively about recent catalysis-related research from four PI’s at research institutions. Although at least one participant was disappointed that the workshop did not have as much yelling as her own grad school experience, all faculty in attendance were hard at work creating learning objects based on the research presented as well as LO’s from their own classroom experiences. A complete list of LO’s developed at the workshop is available.

Spirits were high at the workshop, at least partially attributable to group bonding over kayaking and perseverance through a Pacific Northwest heat wave. Next year’s workshop may feature a designated “chemistry t-shirt day”, as this year found a variety of chemistry shirts scattered throughout the week.

Consider joining us at next summer’s organometallics workshop at the University of Michigan – stay tuned for more details, with applications likely opening in early winter.