| Title | Next-Gen Chemistry: Building an Autonomous Teaching Lab for Experiential Learning |
|---|---|
| Faculty/College/Unit | Science |
| Status | Active |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Initiation | 04/01/2026 |
| Project Summary | The proposed Autonomous Teaching Lab builds on the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) initiative shared by UBC and the University of Toronto, which advances self-driving laboratory research. To bridge the gap between current undergraduate education and lab automation, this lab will give students hands-on experience with cutting-edge automated experimentation not available in existing courses. Automation will use programmable pumps, robotic liquid handlers, and sensor arrays, guided by machine learning for experiment optimization and data interpretation. Students will learn to control and analyze experiments through open-source software and AI-driven feedback cycles. Experiment development and user guidelines will be co-created by UBC Chemistry faculty and a Science and Teaching Learning Fellow. TLEF support will fund undergraduate research assistants to help integrate automation and AI into course materials, enabling a curriculum that builds transferable skills and embeds autonomous laboratory experiences across multiple courses. |
| Funding Details | |
| Year 1: Project Year | Year 1 |
| Year 1: Funding Year | 2026/2027 |
| Year 1: Project Type | Large TLEF |
| Year 1: Principal Investigator | Jay Wickenden |
| Year 1: Funded Amount | 80,748 |
| Year 1: Team Members | Jay Wickenden, Associate Professor of Teaching, Chemistry, Faculty of Science |