Our "Get Ahead: High School Chemistry" summer prep course is designed to give you a solid foundation in the key principles of chemistry, ensuring you start the fall semester with confidence and a deeper understanding of the subject. This course is perfect for students entering Honors Chemistry or any introductory high school chemistry class. Chemistry can be complex and demanding, but with the right preparation, you can excel. This course covers the fundamental concepts of the first half of a standard high school Honors Chemistry curriculum. Due to the lack of a physical laboratory, we will utilize PhET Interactive Simulations to provide both theoretical and experimental knowledge.

Course Overview:

The full session for this course is 2 weeks long. Here's a detailed look at our curriculum:

🧪Unit 1: Atomic Origins and Properties of Matter/Energy

• Explore the origins of the atom and the contributions of key scientists (Democritus, Dalton, Thomson, etc.)
• Learn important scientific conventions such as significant figures and scientific notation.
• Understand atomic structure, including protons, neutrons, and electrons.
• Grasp the Laws of Conservation of Mass and Energy.

🧪Unit 2: Chemical Properties

• Dive into covalent and ionic bonding.
• Study ions and their nomenclature.
• Distinguish between metals and nonmetals.
• Differentiate elements, compounds, and mixtures.

🧪Unit 3: Stoichiometry and Reactions

• Identify and balance different types of chemical reactions.
• Master dimensional analysis and chemical formulas.
• Understand the concept of moles.
• Learn about reduction and oxidation reactions.

🧪Unit 4: Thermodynamics

• Cover the Laws of Thermodynamics.
• Explore heat transfer and calorimetry.
• Apply Hess' Law.
• Discuss enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs Free Energy.

To reinforce your learning, you'll be assigned daily homework problems designed to challenge and enhance your understanding of each topic.

Meet Your Instructors:

Our instructors are passionate and accomplished students with extensive experience in physics:

• Lelun Li is a rising senior at Livingston High School. He is currently the
  captain of LHS Science Bowl and recently led the team to a 3rd place
  finish in New Jersey. He is particularly passionate about Chemistry,
  receiving a Young Scientist Award from the Chinese American Chemical
  Society.
• Jack Liu is a rising junior at Livingston High School. He is dedicated and knowledgeable with a passion for chemistry. He has excelled in his own studies and is eager to share their insights and strategies for mastering high school chemistry.
• Sam Zhang is a rising junior at Chatham High School. As a current Tutoring4Charity chemistry tutor, having completed the honors-level chemistry course at Chatham High School as well as some of the AP chemistry curriculum, Sam is ready to make sure your child won’t have any unanswered questions. After taking the chemistry course in high school, Sam has continued pursuing further education in the field by taking AP Chemistry as well as participating in competitions such as the Chemistry Olympiad.

Course Details:

• Location: In-person at Living Stone Chinese Christian Church
• Recommended For: Upcoming chemistry students
• Session Dates: August 12 - August 23 (weekdays)
• Times: 3 PM - 5 PM
• What to Bring: A medium for taking notes (paper/pencil or a laptop computer)
• Price: $150 for a full 2-week session

Don’t let chemistry intimidate you. Join us this summer to build a strong foundation and approach your chemistry class with confidence. This course will set you up for success in one of the most challenging subjects of your high school career.