About the Course
From artificial sweeteners in diet soft drinks to batteries in electric cars, chemistry is integral to our everyday lives. This course investigates chemistry as a means to solving real-world problems. You'll learn about the periodic table, atomic structure, and chemical bonding. In the lab, you and your classmates will investigate solubility, test water samples to identify potential toxins, and participate in a simulation of a town hall meeting to debate how to preserve a community water source. Working in a lab, you'll learn how chemistry is used to improve the world around us. You'll examine alternative fuels, the biochemistry of food, and pharmaceuticals using real-life scenarios simulated in the classroom. You'll conduct calorimetric experiments, prepare biodiesel while investigating alternative fuels, prepare aspirin while learning the healing and toxic properties of pharmaceuticals, and leave the course prepared to take high school chemistry. Note: You should not take this course if you have already taken high school chemistry.
Typical Class Size: 18-20
Learning Objectives
- Evaluate chemical and physical property changes and assess observations to make predictions
- Generate balanced chemical equations for combustion reaction and acid/base solutions using correct chemical symbols and formulas
- Devise methods of conserving Earth's renewable and nonrenewable resources
- Create a visual representation of the similarities and differences among scientific laws, theories, and models, and predict conditions under which some assumptions fail
- Measure primary and secondary air pollutants and their sources, and defend strategies to help reduce air pollution by justifying solar radiation and testing greenhouse effects
- Debate how to preserve a community water source as part of a town hall meeting simulation
- Experiment with theories and evaluate equations of kinetic energy, potential energy, and the law of conservation of energy
- Compare the general chemical structure of pharmaceuticals, vitamins, and minerals to evaluate their importance to human health
About Advanced Enrichment courses
These courses offer above-grade-level material that is presented in a novel context, explored with other advanced learners, and guided by a CTY educator to help prepare students for higher-order thinking and college-style academic challenges. Students work individually and may finish the course early if they complete all requirements before the course end date.
Requirements
CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.
Identification DetailsDates and Tuition
In Person
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA
Residential Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Chemistry in Context, by American Chemical Society
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
Residential Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Filling up fast! 2 spots left
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Chemistry in Context, by American Chemical Society
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 8, 2026
Filling up fast! 3 spots left
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Chemistry in Context, by American Chemical Society
Registration Fee and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.
Learn more about Financial Aid