LEADS

CHEM 300: LEADS

Chemistry needs LEADerS like you!

Would you like to…

• Study issues of diversity, inclusion, and social justice in STEM
• Gain leadership skills valued by medical/graduate schools and employers
• Change how chemistry content is taught alongside USF Chemistry faculty
• Explore diverse career paths you can pursue with your chemistry degree
• Engage with relatable chemists to share their journey in STEM
• Publish inclusive curricular materials on an open-access database

…while completing your CEL requirement?

Then enroll in…

CHEM 300: LEADS –
Learners Engaged in Advocating for Diversity in Science

Why should you participate in LEADS?

LEADS is a fun course and a fantastic opportunity to partner with USF chemistry faculty to change what is taught to include personal stories and professional contributions of chemists who represent diverse personal and cultural backgrounds. The knowledge, skills, and networking that students gain from LEADS are strengths that they will bring into their future endeavors as graduate students, researchers, educators, and in all fields of chemistry as they ‘change the world from here’!

Watch the LEADS Student Experiences video series to learn more from alums!

What is LEADS?

LEADS – Learners Engaged in Advocating for Diversity in Science – is a community-engaged learning (CEL) course offered in the Department of Chemistry. LEADS focuses on making chemistry classrooms and course curriculum more inclusive, equitable, and welcoming for students of all backgrounds, especially first-generation college-going students, students of color, and LGBTQIA+ students.

Does LEADS offer course credit? What is the prereq?

Yes! LEADS counts as four units towards the student’s chemistry degree as well as fulfilling the CEL core requirement! The prereq is Gen Chem II (CHEM 113) with a grade of C or above.

What is the classwork component of LEADS?

Students will investigate challenges faced by historically excluded learners and scientists, gain experience with inclusive curriculum, and refine their writing and communication skills. Furthermore, students will become fluent in and advocate for ethics in science and initiatives in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

What is the community-engaged component of LEADS?

Students will partner with chemistry faculty and have a direct and tangible effect on chemistry curriculum by integrating diversity explicitly into chemistry courses. With the help of their faculty partner, students will find and interview chemists from historically underrepresented identities to write their story in a Scientist Spotlight. These assignments explore the personal stories and professional contributions of chemists who represent diverse personal and cultural backgrounds, and whose work is connected to the concepts under study in the faculty partner’s course.

How does LEADS impact chemistry students?

LEADS students will have a significant impact on chemistry curriculum by integrating culturally responsive and inclusive assignments into chemistry classes. We predict that LEADS students who author and students in the chemistry classes who experience these culturally responsive and inclusive assignments like Scientist Spotlights will have increased relatability to scientists.