Chemistry in Our Community: Strategies and Logistics Implemented to Provide Hands-On Activities to K–12 Students, Teachers, and Families

Abstract

Service learning is a community-based educational approach where college students are connected to academic content through active participation in planned community experiences. Therefore, service learning is the form of civic engagement that we have used to connect Chemistry undergraduate students with K–12 students, teachers, and parents in our community. We have developed several outreach programs and hands-on experiences to use the knowledge and skills learned in Chemistry courses and laboratories to motivate more precollege students toward a positive attitude about Chemistry and science courses in general. Undergraduate students from the Department of Chemistry at California State University, Stanislaus have worked on several hands-on activities with fifth–eighth grade students at university laboratories and with second–fourth grade students at elementary school classrooms. Undergraduate students have learned to simplify difficult Chemistry concepts for the general audience, while they have encouraged young students to develop a positive attitude toward science and the pursuit of higher education in the STEM fields. In addition, undergraduate students involved in these activities are more motivated to succeed in their own academic career. This article explains how we have accomplished the development of Chemistry outreach activities and how undergraduate students are involved in the preparation of these events.