Pre-College Programs

Chemistry Program

MRSEC established a partnership with Oxon Hill High School to provide students with a chemistry program designed by teachers and MRSEC members to increase students’ general and AP chemistry knowledge and experimental skills. The program includes classroom visits and fieldtrips to the University of Maryland. During classroom visits, MRSEC researchers present exciting demonstrations to motivate students, followed by laboratory experiments. The fieldtrip is an extensive program, which provides students with the opportunity to use university laboratory facilities and advanced laboratory equipment. The program also includes career talks by researchers and graduate students, department of chemistry and biochemistry admissions staff, and a discussion with students about undergraduate experiences.

The University of Maryland NOBCChE chapter joined the MRSEC service-based outreach effort. As student mentors, NOBCChE has expanded laboratory assistance, one-on-one interactions, and provided advice and guidance on chemistry majors and careers to high school students underrepresented in science.

The success of this program is summed up by a high school senior, “Thank you so much for everything you did for us. The trip was greatly appreciated. I really enjoyed the lab. Chromatography was something that I did not have any understanding about. Now I understand it, know why we would use it, and most importantly how to do it. Thank you for the knowledge I gained from going to visit you all on your campus. And thanks to the speech on how to get into school and about getting into college, I am now more confident about getting into college.”

Recent MRSEC Chemistry program includes: