UM Chemistry/Outreach Programs

Summer Pre-College Academic Enrichment and Education Programs

• Minority Undergraduate Mentoring and Immersion in Research
• ACS Project SEED
• Solid Waste Environmental Enrichment Project (SWEEP)
• Preengineering Enrichment Project (PEEP)
• Radon, Energy, Air Project (REAP)

Minority Undergraduate Mentoring and Immersion in Research is funded by an Access Diversity Grant awarded by the Tennessee Board of Regents. The program for Minority Undergraduate Mentoring and Immersion in Research is designed to increase the number of under-represented minorities with science and technology training and in science and technology careers. The program is specifically for chemistry students. The goal is to produce an active and vibrant minority chemistry community and a campus committed to minority development, thereby enhancing the University’s ability to attract minority faculty and students. The project leader is Ted Burkey, Professor of Chemistry.

Contact Dr. Ted Burkey for more information on Minority Undergraduate Mentoring and Immersion in Research at the University of Memphis.

Project SEED is an opportunity for economically-disadvantaged high school students to perform chemistry research for 8 weeks at the University of Memphis during the summer and to experience what it is like to be a chemical scientist. Students work alongside a mentor on projects in our research laboraories in an academic setting. Students also travel to local industry for an onsite visit to an industrial lab.

Participating students receive a $2500 stipend. Project SEED at the University of Memphis was supported in 2008 and 2007 by the American Chemical Society Project SEED Foundation and four corporations: Buckman Laboratories International, Inc.; Cargill Foundation; Schering-Plough Health Care Products, Inc.; and Valero Refinery of Memphis.

Contact Dr. Ted Burkey for more information on Project SEED at the University of Memphis.

Solid Waste Environmental Enrichment Project (SWEEP)

The Solid Waste Environmental Enrichment Project (SWEEP), a seven-week, environmental, academic enrichment program, will be conducted during the summer. The program will be directed by Dr. Larry W. Houk, Professor of Chemistry at The University of Memphis, and will be assisted by a graduate student or city school teacher who will serve as a liaison, mentor, advisor, and counselor. Ten high school scholars representing the Memphis City School System will be selected as program participants. All participants are currently majoring in either mathematics or science and are members of economically disadvantaged families.

Students will meet professional role models (chemists, engineers, journalists, biologists, journalists, professors, administrators, regulatory specialists, etc.) who gladly entertain questions regarding careers, on-the-job training, and educational preparedness. The students will receive attentive, hands-on instruction and coaching throughout the course of their classroom, laboratory, and field assignments. A salary is provided.

Contact Dr. Larry Houk for more information on SWEEP at the University of Memphis.

Preengineering Enrichment Project (PEEP)

An environmental enrichment program, Pre-Engineering Enrichment Project (PEEP), will be conducted during the summer and directed by Dr. Larry W. Houk, Professor of Chemistry at The University of Memphis. He will be assisted by a graduate student or city school teacher who will serve as a liaison, mentor, advisor, and counselor. Ten high school scholars from East High School in the Memphis City School System will be selected as program participants. All participants are currently majoring in either mathematics or science and are members of economically disadvantaged families.

The program will be approximately seven weeks in duration. Participants will work and study in a variety of local settings in order to become familiar with a wide range of water resource needs and challenges. Students will acquire first-hand experience:

• testing treated wastewater to manually check settling and removal efficiencies at each stage of treatment at two advanced wastewater treatment facilities;
• inspecting sewers, manholes, and flood control equipment for maintenance, repair, and/or replacement;
• using surveyor's equipment to read topography; and
• studying aquatic life found in neighboring streams, lakes, and rivers.

Students will meet professional role models (chemists, engineers, journalists, biologists, journalists, professors, administrators, regulatory specialists, etc.) who gladly entertain questions regarding careers, on-the-job training, and educational preparedness. The students will receive attentive, hands-on instruction and coaching throughout the course of their classroom, laboratory, and field assignments. A salary is provided.

Contact Dr. Larry Houk for more information on PEEP at the University of Memphis.

Radon, Energy, Air Project (REAP)

The University of Memphis is conducting a pre-college enrichment program for twenty-five academically talented students completing the ninth grade in May/June. The program runs from 9:00 A.M.- 3:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, from mid-June to the end of July. This science program hosted by the Department of Chemistry at U of M will expose students to such topics as principles of chemistry both in the classroom and laboratory settings, environmental issues, and production and transmission of energy. Home radon testing; activities on location at the Memphis Public Works and Memphis Light, Gas, and Water; field trips both in Memphis and in out-of-town locations; and many other activities and events will be a part of this summer enrichment experience. A wonderful learning summer awaits those students who participate. There will be no fee charged and a stipend will be provided.

Contact Dr. Larry Houk for more information on REAP at the University of Memphis.