Reimagining chemistry education inside a correctional facility

Slater made other adjustments, paring her lab exercises down to their most basic elements, she said.

"If there's a chemistry class that we can do in prison, it's one that's based around stuff we can bring into an elementary school," Slater said.

"It gave a really good base to start, using a lot of things that are in common households. We call it kitchen chemistry."

The limitations of teaching inside a correctional facility also required Slater to rethink her approach to instruction, particularly for the five-hour class and lab sessions. Preparation was essential, she said.

Yore-VanOosterhout said Slater's ability to engage students despite those limitations was remarkable.

"She's so limited, as are the students, but she's able to convey this information and keep their attention through a five-hour class," Yore-VanOosterhout said. "That just blew my mind."

Slater's efforts, and that of her students, paid off. The class culminated with the students presenting a science fair to their classmates and GVSU faculty.

The success of the class has also drawn the attention of other universities. Slater said she is consulting with Eastern Michigan University as it explores implementing a similar course in its prison education program.

"As an educator, it validates to me this belief that I've always had that students are able to achieve at a high level with sufficient support," Slater said.