Georgia Gwinnett College summer chemistry program gives high school students invaluable experiences

"All right, time to get to work!" Those were the words of Malachi McClain, 15, of Dacula, who skipped the beach this summer in favor of conducting research in a college chemistry lab. A rising junior at the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology, McClain is part of a student cohort from four Gwinnett County high schools who are participating in the Project SEED program at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC).

The American Chemical Society's Project SEED summer program brings students to college and university campuses for eight to 10 weeks at host institutions like GGC, where they work alongside faculty to conduct scientific research. In its more than 50-year history, Project SEED has hosted more than 11,000 students in 40 countries. GGC has been hosting this initiative since 2017.

Dr. Ajay Mallia, associate professor of chemistry at GGC, who organizes the Project SEED summer program at GGC, along with his colleagues, Drs. Neville Forlemu and Simon Mwongela, said the students gain invaluable skills that are important in a lab setting - and in life.

"By conducting research, students learn technical skills as they operate lab instruments, analyze samples and practice lab safety procedures," said Mallia. "They also gain professional skills such as problem solving, time management, organization and teamwork. The combination of professional skills and technical skills will help them move toward the next level in school and eventually, in their careers."

Mallia said it's a large time commitment for these students, who work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday during the summer.

That time commitment didn't faze McClain, who loves what he's doing.

"I really enjoy doing just chemistry in a college lab," he said. "Sure I did it in ninth grade, but it was more of an introduction. This is straight up organic chemistry - I love it!"

Across the lab, Galilee Degracia, 16, was mixing substances to create a new surfactant compound. Common household surfactants include soap, shower gel, shampoo and all-purpose cleaners. They stir up activity on surfaces to help trap and remove dirt on the surface of objects.

Degracia, who is a rising junior at Grayson High School, said she knows she wants to pursue a career in STEM. She said her participation in the Project SEED program at GGC is giving her hands-on experience.

"For the past few weeks, we've done research, and now we're performing in the lab," she said. "I feel like it's coming full circle when I get to use the research and equipment that I learned about in the past few weeks."

Joyce Lee, 15, of Duluth has always been interested in science. The rising sophomore at Peachtree Ridge High School said her participation in local science fairs has piqued her interest in a career in chemistry.

"Chemistry is basically the maker of everything," she explained. "It's definitely challenging, but I just ask questions through it. The program has helped me to learn, grow, persevere and not give up. I love being in a lab. It's my happy place."

The Project SEED summer program at GGC will continue through July 31.

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