A look at Garrett’s programming designed for students and teachers of all ages
Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Danielle Garrett has always had a passion for chemistry — the science dealing with properties of matter and the transformations it undergoes. From her days preparing for elementary science fairs to leading labs at Belmont today, her passion has never wavered.
Now in her 11th year as a member of the College of Sciences and Mathematics faculty, Garrett has developed what she considers a three-prong array of outreach programs that share her love of chemistry with students and educators across the South.
The Road to Teaching
Initially on a pre-med track at the University of Tennessee, Garrett found herself more excited about her upper-level chemistry courses and research than medical school applications.
With the guidance from trusted professors, she decided to pursue graduate studies in chemistry rather than medicine and eventually a career in teaching.
After earning her doctoral degree from Vanderbilt, Garrett spent six years teaching high school chemistry where she began her early outreach programs at Donelson Christian Academy. The first benchmark was starting an American Chemical Society Chem Club and organizing occasional demonstrations in the afternoons for the school's elementary students to participate in.
“I loved that joy and excitement from those two things — the elementary students coming in and seeing something new, and my high school students engaging in that learning process with those younger students and mentoring them,” she said. “It was very exciting to see.”
When the opportunity to teach at Belmont arose in 2014, she was not only excited to teach at the college level but also saw it as a chance to further expand her outreach ambitions.
“The position that I got afforded me that opportunity to develop and hold all sorts of different types of outreach programming, which is what I've been doing the entire time I've been at Belmont,” she said with a smile.
Three Target Demographics for Outreach Programs
Garrett has developed three main categories of outreach programs targeting different audiences while at Belmont.
High School Chemistry Teachers
Garrett’s first program at Belmont was designed for high school chemistry teachers. Now approaching its ninth iteration, “It’s Easy Being Green: Budget-Friendly Safety-Conscious Chemistry Labs for the Secondary Science Classroom of Today” provides educators with budget-friendly, environmentally conscious chemistry labs that address common challenges in high school lab settings — safety concerns, waste disposal limitations, equipment access and curriculum standards.
Participants receive comprehensive lab manuals with background information, activities, data analysis and teacher notes, all differentiated for student levels from introductory to AP chemistry.
"Finding a good support network and people you can bounce ideas off of is another really great thing," said Garrett, noting the program's networking benefits. "The feedback is positive. Some teachers have come to every single one I've offered, and it's great when I hear that they used the labs and they worked well."
High School Students
Drawing on her days and contacts as a high school teacher herself, Garrett has continued working with high school students.
She develops day-long workshops on Belmont’s campus where students conduct lab activities, ranging from AP chemistry labs to building their own scientific equipment they take home with them.
"I like providing opportunities for students to experience the lab setting, which may look very different from what they're able to experience in high school," she said. "Taking that desire to learn and encouraging them to ask questions is one of my main motivators.”
Fourth Grade Students
Through the American Chemical Society’s Science Coaches program, Garrett pays visits throughout the year to fourth graders at Donelson Christian.
She introduces the young scientists to advanced concepts, such as reaction rates and kinetic molecular theory, in approachable ways geared towards nine and 10-year-olds. She also hosts an annual half-day field trip to Belmont where students experience chemistry demonstrations and hands-on activities.
"I try to take that little flame and stoke that ember to help it grow as they continue on," she said, noting how many students lose enthusiasm for science during their middle school years.
Looking Ahead
Garrett frequently involves her undergraduate students as mentors in outreach activities, creating valuable experiences for her students and participants while reflecting her fundamental goal — sparking interest in science and encouraging students of all ages "to question, to be critical and not be afraid to ask questions."
Planning ahead, Garrett is preparing to expand her existing programs while developing new partnerships to reach more teachers and students across the region.
"I just really love teaching chemistry," she said, "and having these outreach opportunities gives me an opportunity to do what I love in so many different ways."
Learn More
Learn more about the chemistry at Belmont.