This article shows that the development of students' functional literacy in the process of teaching
polymer chemistry is an important aspect of the modern education system. Practical activities based
on improvisation of methods that affect the practice of critical thinking in higher education
institutions are considered. In order to develop students' functional, critical thinking skills, it is
indicated to develop a methodology and theoretical and experimental justification that help to
consolidate theoretical knowledge of polymers with practical problems, research and projects. The
article concludes with specific recommendations on effective teaching methods, the introduction of
new technologies, and the development of students' skills. Personality-oriented learning is a
methodological focus of pedagogical activity that promotes the formation of students' competencies
through interrelated concepts, ideas. and methods. The development of critical thinking begins with
obtaining information about polymers and ends with making decisions related to the task. As a
result of the study, the mind of each student is strengthened, he gets the opportunity to do his own
work through the tasks set, gets used to self-esteem, and his interest in the subject increases.
The advantages of traditional methods and modern technologies are described, laboratory and
project approaches are considered in detail. The article shows the main conceptual and
methodological issues of identifying, assessing and studying critical thinking, as well as the
importance of chemical education for studying creative and critical thinking of students.