Chemistry: Who are you? Where are you going? How do we catch up with you?

Abstract

This paper presents a personal reflection on the nature of Chemistry, its potential areas of development in the 21st century, and the corresponding implications for chemistry education. Beyond reflecting about basic characteristics of Chemistry as a science and speculating on future research trends in this discipline, the central goal of this essay is to motivate chemistry teachers and instructors, as well as chemical educators, to question the relevance and validity of the current general chemistry curriculum at the different educational levels, and to promote the development of alternatives ways of conceptualizing such a curriculum.