What is the Family Chemistry Project?
The Family Chemistry Project connects students and their family history to chemistry and science. Students choose a family member from an older generation to interview and ask questions about their life experiences. The goal of the project is to have their family member tell a story that had a profound impact on their lives or their family's lives. Then, the student researches a chemical connected to the family story and finds out how their family member's story was affected by the chemical. Often students find surprising, unexpected connections and hear wonderful family stories. Students present their family story, research and 3D molecular models of their chemical structure to share with their classmates.
One of the inspirations behind storytelling and giving voice to students is National Public Radio's StoryCorps.
Click on one of the links on NPR's StoryCorps archive of Podcasts. Once you hear one of the stories, you will be glad you did!