A sustainability approach to inquiry-based experiential chemistry education in pre-college programs

Abstract

Pre-college programs offer valuable opportunities for high school students to engage authentically with science by applying chemical principles to real-world challenges. This study examines two such initiatives, Momentum Lab and Impact Lab, which integrate inquiry-based, experiential learning to advance environmental awareness and scientific literacy. Momentum Lab featured a forensic science module that combined chemistry and biology to investigate a simulated wildlife crime, illustrating the societal relevance of chemistry in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and justice systems. Impact Lab explored global sustainability through three thematic modules focused on: (i) climate change, sea-level rise, CO₂ absorption, and ocean acidification; (ii) soil and water quality, nutrient cycles, and ecological consequences of fertilizer runoff; and (iii) biodiesel synthesis via transesterification, highlighting green chemistry's role in renewable energy and waste valorization. Together, these activities demonstrate how inquiry-based learning can connect chemical concepts to pressing global issues while fostering engagement, curiosity, and applied problem-solving skills among learners. The overall patterns observed suggest that experiential chemistry education has strong potential to strengthen students' understanding of sustainability and inspire future participation in STEM pathways.