Research activities by university professors have been the driving force for many scientific breakthroughs, however not until the recent push by funding agencies, their research and science activities were divorced from the communities that housed them. Their participation in outreach was to judge science fairs at best. Professor’s research projects are tailored to the needs of rich companies, corporations, and agencies. Some conduct research on their communities but not with them or for them. Thus, establishing science that serves the people in the community, increasing chemistry majors through outreach, and increasing student persistence through research were the cardinal points in broadening science education presented here. A request from a city agency to mitigate a contaminated site for use as a demonstration garden became the nexus for the three projects reported here. The project dubbed sunflower garden was used to teach elementary school children and the community about environmental and food safety. The publicity it generated put us in contact with the communities. The project designed (1) Chemistry on Wheels for public school students to increase chemistry awareness and serve as a chemistry major pipeline; (2) Science in the Market Place (community) to directly serve the people; (3) Research enhancement to increase research participation, presentation, and publication for students who must complete a research project (CHE 405) as a graduation requirement. Thus far, project students graduated on time, students co-published thirteen research articles in peer reviewed journals, and five community collaborative research produced solutions to the community. In addition, high schools requested more outreach that incorporated state standards.<br/>

Science in the community: Advancing teaching and research with community collaboration

256th National Meeting (2018)

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