The MIT Chemistry Outreach Program was developed in 1988 to bring the excitement of chemistry to high school students in the greater Boston area. MIT Chemistry graduate students visit local high schools and present chemistry demonstrations designed to illustrate a broad range of chemical principles. The presentation includes sections relating to polymers, naturally occurring compounds, temperature and pressure, and light. These demonstrations have been selected for both their visual appeal and their relevance to everyday life. Click here for a preview of our demonstrations.

Each year we visit approximately 10-20 schools and present the program to more than 1,000 students. Our goal is to stimulate students' interest in chemistry, to demonstrate the relevance of chemistry in everyday life, and to encourage students to consider pursuing careers in science and medicine. An article on the MIT Outreach Program has been published in the Journal of Chemical Education, Vol. 66, p. 668, 1989.

The standard program consists of a 50 minute presentation by two graduate students followed by a question and answer session. No special facilities are required; all supplies are provided by MIT and there is no charge for the program. If needed, the length of the program can be adjusted for shorter or longer class periods.

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