Increasing student engagement and workforce preparation through modern chemistry research experiences

The National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education awarded Maricopa County Community College District $499,415 on October 1, 2026, under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) to develop and implement research-centered laboratory experiences in undergraduate chemistry education.

The recipient will develop and study an integrated instructional framework combining continuous flow chemistry, air- and moisture-sensitive techniques, process analytical technologies, and sustainable laboratory practices within undergraduate chemistry coursework. Students will participate in hands-on learning experiences using modern laboratory tools and chemical practices that reflect current industry and scientific research methods, building technical skills, scientific confidence, and problem-solving abilities. The project targets increased student engagement, technical competency, scientific confidence, and participation in undergraduate research while expanding access to advanced STEM learning at a two-year institution and strengthening workforce preparation and transfer pathways to four-year institutions.

Assessment and evaluation will employ survey instruments, laboratory skill rubrics, interviews, focus groups, reflective activities, and longitudinal tracking of student participation and progression. Dissemination includes conference presentations.

Performance occurs in Tempe, Arizona. The period of performance runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029. This is a Track 1 NSF IUSE: Innovation in Two-Year College STEM Education (ITYC) project grant.

Abstract

This project aims to serve the national interest by improving undergraduate stem education through research-centered laboratory experiences that prepare students for emerging careers in chemical manufacturing, sustainable chemistry, and advanced laboratory technologies. This track 1 NSF iuse: innovation in two-year college stem education (ityc) project plans to increase student engagement, technical competency, scientific confidence, and participation in undergraduate research by integrating modern chemistry practices into undergraduate laboratory instruction. The project plans to provide students with hands-on learning experiences using modern laboratory tools and chemical practices that reflect current methods used in industry and scientific research. Students will participate laboratory experiences designed to build technical skills, confidence, and scientific problem-solving abilities. The project aims to expand access to advanced stem learning opportunities at a two-year college while strengthening workforce preparation, transfer pathways to four-year institutions, and participation in authentic scientific research. The project plans to contribute to NSF?s mission by advancing evidence-based stem education practices that support student learning, stem persistence, and professional development in chemistry and related stem fields. The goals this project include developing and studying an integrated instructional framework that combines continuous flow chemistry, air- and moisture-sensitive techniques, process analytical technologies, and sustainable laboratory practices within undergraduate chemistry education. Assessment and evaluation plans include survey instruments, laboratory skill rubrics, interviews, focus groups, reflective activities, and longitudinal tracking of student participation and progression. Dissemination plans include conference presentations, publications, workshops, open-access instructional materials, and sharing of curricular resources and assessment findings with the broader stem education community. The project plans to advance understanding of how modern chemical technologies and authentic undergraduate research experiences can be effectively integrated into undergraduate stem education at two-year colleges and plans to study the effectiveness of these approaches in improving student learning, stem persistence, and technical workforce preparation. The NSF iuse: innovation in two-year college stem education (ityc) program seeks to accelerate and advance knowledge about the impact of emerging and evidence-based practices in undergraduate stem education at two-year colleges. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are planned for this award.