A series of experiments involving the synthesis and characterization of a benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide derivative and its self-assembly properties are reported. These laboratory experiments combine organic synthesis, self-assembly, and physical characterization and are designed for upper-level undergraduate students to introduce the topic of self-assembly. Students learn techniques for standard organic reactions and purification via column chromatography and gain experience with elementary characterization methods such as IR and [superscript 1]H NMR spectroscopy. Polarization optical microscopy (POM), gelation studies, and UV spectroscopy are used for studying the self-assembly properties. (Contains 3 figures, 1 table and 1 note.)