Molecular School – a pre-university chemistry school

Abstract

Abstract The planning, implementation and results of the first edition of the Molecular School are presented, as the first pre-university school project held in Portugal. This is not, however, a strictly Portuguese project, since it can be replicated in other countries at the secondary school level, with minor adjustments. Herein, the pilot edition of Molecular School is detailed and discussed, where 36 secondary school students have participated. The plan for the second edition, to be held in the first semester of 2021, with the confirmed participation of around 100 students, is further presented. Briefly, the project is divided in two modules: theoretical and laboratory work. These were prepared in a complementary way and performed to achieve the same purpose: deliver a wider vision of what chemistry really is. Hence, the classes were designed having in mind the applications that chemistry has in our everyday life, in the different academic research fields and in industry. A better preparation and training at the laboratory level was also a goal of this project. The enthusiasm, happiness and the motivation shown by the students, and their eagerness to participate in the future editions of the Molecular School, were clear signs of this project success.