Summer Research Plan in Polymer Chemistry Laboratory for ACS Project SEED Program

Abstract

Early research experiences play an important role in shaping students' academic and professional development and future career path. While many colleges and universities offer undergraduate students the chance to engage in research, a significant number of high school students face limited or no access to such opportunities. Initiatives such as the ACS Project SEED program aim at providing high school students with access to research experiences in academic laboratories. These programs have a strong impact on students, inspiring them to pursue a chemistry degree and contributing to the development of lab skills and professional networks. Despite the growing relevance and wide range of real-world applications of polymers, the exposure to polymer chemistry in both high school and undergraduate curricula is very limited. Hence, this work proposes a research plan tailored for ACS Project SEED students in polymer chemistry laboratories focusing on controlled radical polymerization techniques and polymer characterization methods. This plan aims to guide students with minimal research lab experience through the research process and equip them with relevant skills that are also applicable beyond the program. This research plan can easily be applied to any high school student pursuing an equivalent summer research program. Overall, the activities highlighted in this work emphasize the critical role of hands-on experiences in fostering a passion for science and preparing students for successful academic and professional journeys.

Metal-Free Ring-Opening Polymerization of Propylene Oxide: Synthesis and Characterization of Polyether in the Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Laboratory

“…Now, people live in a reality that is almost unimaginable without polymer. Synthetic polymers have had an immense impact on our society, from automobiles, airplanes, and building materials to packaging, clothing, and biomedical equipment. − Although polymer science has developed into a major research field in industry and academia, the topic is still underrepresented in undergraduate chemistry curricula. , Also, polymer experiments are generally underrepresented in the undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory curricula. − As expected, the American Chemical Society (ACS) in 2015 increased the requirements for polymer chemistry to be included in the curriculum of certified chemistry programs . This article develops the lab experiment to add a polymer theme to the introductory undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory curriculum.…”