Over the past two years, Monmouth College has held a three-week summer bridge program that focuses on research projects. Two faculty members in the chemistry department have participated in this program.  The program has brought in 7 potential chemistry students, most with little laboratory experience in high school.  The students, under the supervision of the faculty and returning student mentors, worked on a variety of projects (biodiesel synthesis, solar cells, development of combustion demonstrations) that expanded on the material from the CWCS Renewable Energy workshop.  Students presented the results from the program to the college community at the beginning of the school year; some students also presented their work at the ACS section undergraduate research conference.   Overall, the incorporation of this material though this program has helped us spark interest in chemistry research, boost student interest in the chemistry and biochemistry majors, and increase student engagement in the chemistry department.

Igniting an interest in chemistry: Expanding on renewable energy laboratories in a three-week summer bridge program

245th National Meeting (2013)

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