Abstract: Students in many incoming STEM majors are required to successfully complete at least one semester of general chemistry before continuing in more advanced courses.  Low scores on chemistry placement tests result in large numbers of students enrolled in preparatory chemistry courses.  This placement increases the number of courses a student must take for degree completion.  A summer enrichment chemistry workshop was developed at a large, ethnically diverse urban university with the goal of offering first time college students the chance to earn a noncredit bearing revised placement from preparatory chemistry to general college chemistry I.  The workshop allowed students to immerse themselves in the college environment while committing to a rigorous preparatory chemistry program twice a week for six weeks. Students who passed the workshop, based on academic performance and attendance requirements, were offered a revised placement, and their success in general chemistry I in the fall semester was tracked.  In summer 2018, one hundred thirty-seven students participated in the workshop. The pass rate was 68 %.  Of the seventy-seven workshop students who chose to enroll in fall 2018 general chemistry I, their DFW rate was three times lower than their peers.  Significant increases in first to second year retention rates and graduation rates were also observed for students participating in the workshop in previous years.   This program offers a path for the underperforming student to succeed in general chemistry and graduate on time.

Success starts in the summer before college begins: Workshop program for preparatory level college chemistry students with potential for revised placement

2019 Fall National Meeting

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