We have developed a peer-mentorship program, as a part of our NSF STEP grant program, to increase the retention STEM. Curriculum for the program was developed by surveying freshman chemistry students' interest and expectations. In its third semester the program attracted great interest from junior and senior chemistry students who would like to be peer-mentors by taking one credit course. Both freshman students and peer-mentors are surveyed at the beginning and the end of the semester. More than 73% of the students (n=252) who attend one of the sections with peer-mentors taught that it was helpful for them to understand the chemistry concepts in the lab. Students also indicate that peer-mentorship program made them aware about research possibilities on campus, how to reach out to the faculty members, etc.  Peer mentorship within introductory labs resolves the problems of scheduling peer mentor/mentee meetings. It allows each student in the lab meets weekly for 3 hours with a mentor, which provides ample time to talk while reactions take place. It is easy to implement at no cost by using current structure in place. It allows setting up the curriculum for the peer-mentorship based on the freshman interest. It is helpful in developing teaching and networking skills in peer-mentors before they graduate.

NSF-STEP: Peer-mentoring using introductory chemistry labs

248th National Meeting (2014)

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