Students in the undergraduate "transport phenomena" courses typically have a greater difficulty in understanding the theoretical concepts underlying the mass transport phenomena as compared to the concepts of momentum and energy transport. An experiment based on dissolution of carbon dioxide in water was added to the course syllabus to facilitate the student learning of these concepts. A surface aeration reactor (SAR) with precisely defined interfacial area was designed for conducting the experiment. The students learned to setup and run the experiment, perform data analysis and communicate the results through written report and oral question-and-answer sessions. The students compared the experimentally observed values of the mass transfer coefficient with those predicted from correlations available in the literature. The hands-on experience enabled the students to relate the theoretical concepts covered in the lectures and textbooks to a real system. The students acquired a deeper understanding of the fundamental theories of mass transport and developed an appreciation for the significance of the mass transfer coefficient.