At Bridgewater State University (BSU) Outreach Education is a central piece of the strategic initiatives in the STEM disciplines, including the Department of Chemistry. A unique opportunity to engage the public occurs through our Center for the Advancement of STEM Education (CASE) which coordinates a biannual “Open Lab Night” (OLN). At this event, labs in the Dana Mohler-Faria Science and Math Center are literally “open” to the public, with a wide variety of hands-on activities appropriate for a broad audience that may range from K-12 to adult. Part I of this two-part presentation will focus on the purpose, design and logistics of the CASE OLN, and our advertising scheme that has resulted in over 600 participants. This presentation will discuss the role the department of chemistry has played in terms of activities, involvement of undergraduate students, and funding. The event is helping to increase exposure to and interest in chemistry for students at the K-12 levels and the general public, while hands-on experiences and project-based learning allow teachers to make real-world connections and enhance the appreciation for how chemistry impacts our world.

Open lab night outreach education at Bridgewater State University: Design and logistics

251st National Meeting (2016)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.