Educational Outreach

Parkland College chemistry students learn about the application of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to the analysis of organic contaminants.

We engage in several activities in support of the educational outreach efforts of the Center. Our chemists assist in programs at area schools, discussing chemistry and science with grade school children in a classroom environment. We are working with other WMRC staff to develop curriculum materials and demonstration experiments for DuPage County schools. For many years we have provided lab demonstration tours and lectures for Parkland College chemistry students, adding real-world meaning to their coursework. Similar tours have been given to Illinois State University and UIUC students on a less formal basis. We provide tours, at an appropriate level for grade and high school students. This past summer the Program Manager presented a lecture in Florida to veterinary students from across the US and several foreign countries as part of the EnviroVet summer course. This course is intended to raise awareness in veterinary students of the need for more veterinarians in wildlife practice and the complications of addressing toxicological issues in wild animals.

This letter of appreciation from Parkland College shows our commitment to community involvement and education.