By Aidan Stimac, UConn Chemistry Graduate Student and Dr. Michael Kienzler, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
This spring, UConn Early College Experience welcomed nearly 200 high school students from across Connecticut to campus for two UConn ECE Chemistry Lab Days, held on April 30 and May 15, 2026. Together, these events brought students from eleven high schools into the University of Connecticut’s Chemistry Building for immersive, research-based laboratory experiences that connected classroom learning with university-level science.
The first event, held on April 30, welcomed 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. A second session on May 15 brought an additional 78 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.
These events were coordinated by the UConn Early College Experience Program Office and Dr. Fatma Selampinar, Professor in Residence and UConn ECE Chemistry Faculty Coordinator. Each day paired students with UConn faculty and graduate researchers, offering a firsthand look at the types of experiments and analytical techniques used in modern chemical research.
During the April 30th session, scientific activities were led by Assistant Professor Dr. Michael Kienzler. Following an introductory presentation, students moved into undergraduate teaching laboratories, where they synthesized derivatives of azobenzene, a compound known for its light-responsive, photoswitching properties. Using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and thin-layer chromatography, students analyzed the compounds they created, gaining insight into how chemical structure and light exposure influence molecular behavior. The experiments reflected ongoing research in Dr. Kienzler’s lab and introduced students to advanced methods used in contemporary chemistry.
At the May 15 session, students engaged with research led by Dr. Jie He, Professor in the Department of Chemistry and the Polymer Program at UConn’s Institute of Materials Science. After learning about nanoparticle surface chemistry, students conducted experiments comparing untreated and modified nanoparticles. They observed how these materials responded under different conditions and used UV-visible spectroscopy to link their observations to quantitative data. The activity, based on current research in Dr. He’s lab, provided students with an authentic introduction to materials science and nanochemistry.
Across both events, students extended their learning beyond the laboratory bench through exposure to advanced instrumentation central to chemical research. Dr. Selampinar coordinated sessions on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy with facility director Dr. Luke Fulton, while graduate students from UConn’s Chemistry Department demonstrated techniques such as mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. These experiences helped students understand how chemists identify, analyze, and characterize materials using specialized tools.
Together, the two UConn ECE Chemistry Lab Days provided students with meaningful, hands-on opportunities to engage in college-level science while building connections with faculty, graduate students, and peers from across the state. By linking high school coursework with active research and laboratory practice, these events reflect the shared commitment of UConn ECE and the Department of Chemistry to expanding access to academic experiences and inspiring the next generation of scientists.
