How do we build chemistry classrooms where more students can thrive? In this bonus BCCE Community Conversation preview, Melissa talks with Matt Mayo about neurodiversity in chemistry education. They discuss why every student experiences learning differently, how understanding those differences can make us better teachers and colleagues, and why creating more accessible learning environments benefits far more people than we might expect. It’s a thoughtful conversation about curiosity, empathy, and what it means to teach the whole student.
Important Links
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Submit a Question for Community Conversations
bcce.divched.org/2026
YouTube.com/@chemforyourlife
chemforyourlife.com
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0:00 – Introducing the Community Conversation on neurodiversity
2:40 – Meet Matt Mayo and why this topic matters to him
6:10 – What the BCCE session will explore: students and faculty
11:00 – Why more educators are thinking differently about neurodiversity
14:00 – Melissa’s ADHD journey and designing courses that help everyone
18:30 – Questions to bring back to your own teaching community
19:10 – Universal Design for Learning and meeting students where they are
24:00 – Why awareness is the best place to start
25:30 – ADHD “superpowers” and different ways of thinking
28:00 – Looking ahead to the Community Conversation at BCCE
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