Passport to Chemistry Adventure at Mount Holyoke College

Welcome to our Passport to Chemistry Adventure program!

The Passport to Chemistry Adventure program is designed to help you be involved in your child's learning of science. Educational research also shows that parental involvement leads to significant positive educational impacts[1]. Further, parental involvement that enhances a students learning opportunities is especially associated with positive learning outcomes. This correlation is found independent of socioeconomic status or race and ethnic background[2]. The program is funded by the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation and was started by Maisie Shaw and Maria Gomez. Several kits and workshops were designed by Frederick G Haibach. Our program for 2016-2017 was supported by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts funded through Nan and Matilda Heydt Fund and the Valley Charitable Trust Fund. Currently, our funding comes from the National Science Foundation through the award DMR 1709975. To see participating libraries or to find out how to get your library involved, see the participating libraries tab.

Start your chemistry adventure by checking out chemistry kits from one of the participating libraries! Completing each kit earns you one stamp. Kits are available for check out at your library. Upon earning three stamps, six stamps, and completing all ten, you will receive designated prizes from your librarian. You can also come to chemistry adventure days at your local library after signing up at your local library. See the chemistry adventure days link to find out when they are.

If you live in western Massachusetts but are far from a participating library, let your library know about the chemistry adventure program. See the participating libraries tab for details. If you don't live in western Massachusetts, you can still participate in the adventure. All our kits are included in this site under the tab "Kits." There you will also find a supplies list for each experiment. Just obtain the supplies and do the experiment with your child.

Thank you for joining us in this adventure!

Maria A. Gomez

References

1. W. H. Jeynes, ''The Relationship between Parental Involvement and Urban Secondary School Student Academic Achievement: A Meta-Analysis'', Urban Education, 42, 82 (2007); K. V. Hoover-Dempsey, H. M. Sandler, ''Parental Involvement in Childrens Education. Why Does It Make a Difference?'',Teachers College Record, 97, 310 (1995).

2. S. Catsambis, ''Expanding Knowledge of Parental Involvement in Childrens Secondary Education: Connections with High School Seniors Academic Success'', Social Psychology of Education, 5, 149 (2002).