Education institutions globally are increasingly expected to explore avenues for the implementation of service-learning into their curricula. A second-year undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory experiment, in which the undergraduate students make azo dyes, can provide a vehicle for a service-learning module in which university undergraduate students then teach students from resource-limited secondary schools how to make azo dyes. Evidence is provided to show how the theory is reinforced for both sets of students through a shared practical experience. The practical application of chemistry is conveyed through the use of the synthetic azo dyes to dye t-shirts. The results of this study show that the service-learning experience clearly assists undergraduate students to appreciate the role of chemists in the broader society while at the same time increasing awareness of the inequalities in school education systems.

The implementation of a service-learning component in an organic chemistry laboratory course

Given the emphasis on community engagement in higher education, academic departments need to become more involved in the community. This paper discusses a number of outreach activities undertaken by the chemistry department at Rhodes University, South Africa. The activities range from service learning to community engagement with teachers and school students in partnership with other interested parties. Teachers who attended workshops reported that their subject knowledge and confidence had increased and they were subsequently doing more practical work in lessons. Practical chemistry demonstrations and workshops afforded opportunities for school students to observe or perform chemical experiments and interact with university students. Undergraduate students directly benefitted from involvement in community engagement through the development and implementation of credit-bearing service learning.

Offering Community Engagement Activities To Increase Chemistry Knowledge and Confidence for Teachers and Students

Laboratory practicals are used throughout science and engineering education as it allows students to undertake active learning and develop technical skills. It is therefore important that students ...

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Developing pre-laboratory videos for enhancing student preparedness

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) professionals are in demand to meet the current challenges within our society. STEM outreach plays a critical role in promoting, understanding and increasing interest in the STEM disciplines. Outreach activities provide a unique platform to reach students through many delivery methods and audience tailoring that bring impacts otherwise unattainable through standard curricula. This work presents a literature framework and review of works that pertain to the STEM outreach system. From this review, a practical definition of STEM outreach is presented. The overall purpose of this work is to expand and aid in the further research to optimize the benefits of outreach activities in the STEM fields to help prepare students for future STEM careers.

STEM Outreach: A Literature Review and Definition

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Restoration Plan 2019–2029

Postgraduate students are excellent role models for school students, where their passion and energy play a vital role in engaging younger students and spreading enthusiasm and excitement about science. However, participating in outreach is not a one way activity for these postgraduate students. Through focus groups we show that the postgraduate students perceive that there are many benefits for themselves. These benefits are identified and discussed. This paper also contrasts the postgraduate with their undergraduate counterpart in terms of their contributions to engagement activities.

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MI Medley

Papers

The many positive impacts of participating in outreach activities on postgraduate students