How do I prepare for a visiting scientist?

Be as specific as possible about what you need. Consider the size of your group: a lab experience is not practical for more than 15 students. Volunteers are needed for hands-on experiments and demonstrations so involve parents in your activities.

How do I prepare my students?

Integrate your chemistry lessons with other curriculum areas such as history, geography, health, and language. Don't worry about not having all the answers, and allow the students to find out the answers for all of you. One idea is to develop a bibliography of useful and readily available information sources.

Emphasize the positive impact of chemical research and industry on your students' lives: all matter in the biosphere is chemical, including the students' bodies, food, etc.; we are all directly affected by chemical processes; and we need to understand and respect natural phenomena.

How do I create a safe environment?

Ensure that you understand the safety precautions required for chemicals used in the experiments. Model the correct safety procedures such as wearing proper safety equipment, including gloves, goggles, and lab coats.

Parents and other volunteers work with young chemists
Parents and other adult volunteers are important to successful and fun hands-on chemistry experiments.

Contact

    • Chemists in the Classroom
    • 217 Smith Hall
    • Professor Ken Leopold, Program Director
    • kleopold@umn.edu
    • (612) 625-6072

Additional Links