On March 24, 28 and April 12, the North Carolina Central University National Science Foundation Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (NCCU NSF PREM), a collaboration of the NC Central University and Penn State University welcomed students from the J.D. Clement Early College High School (ECHS). ECHS students enrolled in honors chemistry visited and toured the facilities of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemsitry at the Mary Townes Science Complex where they met scientists, physics and chemistry majors and learned about the science research done at NCCU.

NCCU NSF PREM is a federal funded research program headed by Dr. Marvin Wu, Dr. Fei Yan and Mr. Richard LaBennett. As part of the Education Outreach Program, members of the NCCU NSF PREM Student Club led by its president Ms. Netanya Dennis, prepared presentations and laboratory activities for the visiting high school students. PREM aims to increase interest and recruit students to the physics, chemistry, biochem and engineering programs, especially in the field of material science.

Pictured above. NCCU NSF PREM Student Club preseident and chemistry major, Netanya Dennis, and student club officer, Samuel Candelario Torres, instructs high school students on acid-base titration methods. Samuel is a 3+2 Dual Physics-Engineering major completing his research studies between NCCU and NC State University.

PREM students presented their research and shared with high schoolers their personal and academic backgrounds. They also shared their victories and challenges in doing scientific research as well as their plans for the future.

Pictured below. Nicholas Edwards, NCCU NSF PREM Student Club officer explains his research on solar cells. Nick majors in physics.

Above. Netanya Dennis welcomes ECHS students to her lab. She shared her joys and challenges working on scientific research prompting interested questions from high school students.

ECHS students taking high school chemistry were able to ask questions from the experts about cutting edge research in the fields of medical research and engineering.

Pictured above. Dr. Darlene K. Taylor sparked curiosity from ECHS students when she explained her work on oligomers and polymers. Her research investigates the efficacy of various materials for potential applications in technologies such as solar cells and drug delivery vehicles.

Above. Clayton Casper, Postdoctoral Fellow, NCCU NSF PREM researcher in physics demonstrates his work on lasers.

High school students experienced lab activities at the college level. They were able to interact with topics and materials beyond the high school chemistry curriculum.

Mr. Richard LaBennett, NCCU NSF PREM Coordinator for Education Outreach, explains the production of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas through electrolysis.

High school chemistry is taught at honors level at the Early College high school by Ms. Jennifer David.

Robinson Science Building

North Carolina Central University

1801 Fayetteville Street

Durham, NC 27707
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Email: jennifer_david@dpsnc.net
Website: https://www.dpsnc.net/domain/55
Location: 1801 Fayetteville St, Durham, NC 27707
Phone: (919) 560-2696