Minority students graduating from Inner City high schools historically are computer illiterate, have little exposure to scientific instrumentation and generally very little interest in science. The objective of this project is to create a successful high tech chemistry learning environment for the individual student that can be used as a model for other inner city chemistry students. The equipment acquired by this project included 14 Apple IIGS microcomputer/Leap universal lab interface systems. Since theses systems are fully incorporated into specific laboratory studies, students are able to utilize microcomputers throughout their chemistry courses. In addition, these computers, when not used in conjunction with the Leap interface, are used by students for calculations, laboratory simulations, the writing of final laboratory reports, and the like. Each semester, the department encounters students with deficiencies in the following areas: Decision Making, Computer Literacy, Graphing, Computations, Writing (Lab Report), Understanding Basic Scientific Principles, and Analyzing Data. This project has provided inner city students with the opportunity and tools needed to overcome these deficiencies. The institution has contributed to the project in an amount equal to the NSF funds.
