معرفی
Sheryl Mason serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics at the University of Mount Union, where she cultivates a family-like academic environment focused on student support and relationship-building. Her teaching philosophy centers on making chemistry accessible through relatable explanations and real-world applications, particularly emphasizing the human body's chemistry.
Her educational background includes a B.S. in Chemistry from Mount Union College and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (Pharmacology/Biochemistry) from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. This foundation informs her passion for chemistry education and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
Dr. Mason's research pioneers chemistry education through active learning and outreach initiatives. She develops classroom projects where undergraduate students—particularly nursing majors in her CHE 115 lab course—design and deliver chemistry demonstrations to elementary school children. These projects require students to explain scientific concepts at age-appropriate levels while connecting chemistry to medical applications. Her work examines the dual impact on college students' mastery and elementary students' science perception, demonstrating that teaching complex concepts reinforces understanding for both educators and young learners.
Her publication trend reveals a consistent focus on protein education and health-integrated chemistry outreach through the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education. The progression from nursing-focused outreach (2016) to scaffolded protein learning (2022) shows deepening pedagogical sophistication while maintaining core commitments to active learning and community engagement.
Though no formal scientific awards are documented, Dr. Mason's mentorship manifests through transformative student experiences. She guides nursing students through multi-week projects where they research, design, and present chemistry-health connections to elementary classrooms—developing teaching skills while reinforcing their own chemical knowledge through practical application.
Dr. Mason leads collaborative outreach teams within her CHE 115 course, where student groups form interdisciplinary partnerships to create, rehearse, and execute chemistry demonstrations. These initiatives establish a dynamic learning ecosystem that bridges undergraduate education with K-12 science exposure, fostering mutual growth through hands-on teaching and community connection.
