ECE MELD Spring 2026: High School Students Engage in Hands-On Chemistry at UConn

Spring has become an outreach month for the UConn Department of Chemistry, bringing high school students to campus for meaningful, hands-on experiences in university-level chemistry.

This spring, nearly 200 students from 11 high schools across Connecticut visited UConn’s Chemistry Building for two UConn Early College Experience Chemistry Lab Day events, also known as MELD, or May ECE Lab Day. The events, held on April 30 and May 15, gave students the opportunity to explore college laboratory environments, research practices, and advanced scientific instrumentation.

The program was coordinated by the UConn Early College Experience Program Office and Dr. Fatma Selampinar, Professor in Residence and UConn Chemistry Faculty Coordinator. On April 30, the scientific activities were led by Dr. Michael Kienzler. More than 110 students from Rocky Hill High School, Academy of Information Technology High School, Northwest Catholic High School, Enfield High School, and Somers High School participated in laboratory activities designed by Dr. Kienzler. Students synthesized azobenzene derivatives and studied their properties using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and thin-layer chromatography.

On May 15, the scientific activities were led by Dr. Jie He. Seventy-eight students from Lewis S. Mills High School, Jonathan Law High School, Joseph A. Foran High School, The Woodstock Academy, Berlin High School, and Orville H. Platt High School participated in research-inspired activities designed by Dr. He and graduate students from Dr. He’s lab.

Students investigated modified nanoparticles and used UV-visible spectroscopy to connect their visual observations with scientific measurements.

In addition to the laboratory experiments, students were introduced to advanced instruments used in modern chemistry research, including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction. These sessions helped students see how chemists identify, analyze, and understand materials.

The ECE Chemistry Lab Day events strengthened connections among high school students, UConn faculty, graduate students, and the broader chemistry community. They also reflected the shared commitment of UConn ECE and the Department of Chemistry to bridge high school and higher education while inspiring future scientists.