A special thank you to the Baskin Family Foundation for sponsoring the"Motivating Future Scientists Chemistry Outreach" program. You can get involved too. Contact Patricia Dwyer to learn how you can make a difference through our chemistry outreach program.

On April 24th a trial run of the new Stanford Chemistry Outreach Program was introduced. The program is aimed at fostering a greater interest and appreciation for chemistry among underrepresented minorities and women in high school.

Ed Caron, the Department Administrator, has played a large role in initiating contacts for this program, noting that “We want to plant a new seed that chemistry can be interesting, and can be an educational option for anyone.”

Dr. Jennifer Schwartz, the new Introductory Course Coordinator and Lecturer, plus five chemistry PhD Students (listed below).



Gary Benz
Dave Heppner
Jennifer Schwartz
Sarah Sherlock
Brian Smith
Hernan Sanchez
Lindsey Hanson

The group provided a well structured laboratory experience at American High School in Fremont. Working with Gary Benz, Chair of the Science Department at American, we were able to design a laboratory experience that would reinforce and compliment the chemistry concepts that were currently being taught in the classroom using creative and exciting teaching methodologies. These laboratory experiences are also designed to allow high school students to see how chemistry relates to the ‘real world’ around them.

For example, in the Fremont High School lab experience this April, we discussed why insoluble metals are toxic by enabling the students to make a bright yellow lead precipitate which used to be used in making paints. The students then dissolved this precipitate by titrating with water, allowing them to observe a reversible reaction and gain a better understanding of solubility and equilibrium reactions.

This first outreach laboratory was a very positive experience for everyone involved. The graduate students jumped at the chance to get out and interact with younger students in the community. The high school students seemed to really enjoy the opportunity to talk with graduate students about science, and college in general, as well as run a cool experiment. It was very inspiring to hear students realizing college can be fun.

We know that in a high school setting, many laboratory experiences are not feasible given the amount of time required and the logistics associated with setting up multiple laboratory sections for classes running back to back. Another obstacle associated with conducting classroom experiments is the limited amount of attention that one teacher can provide. In a classroom of ~30 students per class, it was clear that a greater number of instructors in the classroom allowed for set-up of more involved experiments and greater individual attention - especially to those students who were struggling with key concepts. Even more importantly, though, this experience allowed all students the opportunity to interact with other young people who are truly passionate and excited about chemistry. It is this excitement that we hope to pass on to the students.

Ultimately, this program will develop a set of 4-5 guided inquiry laboratory activities in which high school students will work in small groups to get hands-on experience with key chemical concepts which are taught throughout the academic year. Working with local high school teachers, we will strive to ensure that these laboratory experiences will reinforce and dovetail the California State Curriculum Standards.

Ready-to-go laboratories like these, in which everything can be brought to and taken back out of the school, will serve as educational models for future use by other high school chemistry teachers. It is through these efforts that we hope to make a significant contribution to the general initiative of improving K-12 education, as well as to encourage more students to consider chemistry, or science in general, as an educational opportunity. Finally, this experience will also provide a unique professional development opportunity for our graduate students who are interested in an academic career.

Professor Michael Fayer and Dr. Jennifer Schwartz will continue to spearhead the educational components of the program. Our plan is to continue this pilot program for the 2009-2010 academic year by developing and implementing 4 additional ‘ready-to-go’ laboratories at American High School. After these laboratories have been tested we plan to expand our efforts to other high schools in the surrounding area. More information about this program can be obtained by contacting Jennifer Schwartz.

Learn more about other outreach opportunities at Stanford by clicking here.