Over the past five years, we have developed, implemented, and assessed a series of eight different day-long field trips to a university for high school students that connect chemistry content to issues of sustainability. Students spend the majority of their time at the university in a laboratory doing the activity, and connections between the chemistry content and issues of sustainability (including some of the social, policy, or economic aspects) are highlighted in pre-visit reading assignments and post-lab small group discussions. The laboratory activities are in the areas of environmental degradation, energy production, and green chemistry. To date, 24 class groups from 12 schools have participated. Involvement of pre-service high school teachers is an important aspect of the program. Results of ongoing formative assessment as well as considerations for implementing and maintaining such a program will be presented.

Sustainable chemistry: A series of laboratory field trips for high school students

251st National Meeting (2016)

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