In 2019, the Chemical Technology program was awarded with an Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).  The project included an immersive learning experience within the field of Chemical Technology at the Cape Fear Community College's Wilmington Campus.  The C-TECH Academy supports two initiatives: (1) a CT-CAMP designed for high school and college students and (2) CT-Discovery sessions designed for learners of all ages and backgrounds.

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The first initiative, titled "CT-CAMP", is offered during the summer and has been developed for high school and/or college students.  The camp will provide a learning opportunity for those interested in science but will also provide students, who are simply exploring their career possibilities, an outlet to discover if Chemical Technology is appropriate for them.  Throughout the week, students will visit the CFCC campus and participate in laboratory engagement activities with Chemical Technology faculty and staff.  During this week, students will be introduced to basic laboratory techniques used in the fields of pharmaceutical, environmental, cosmetics, forensics, and food/beverage.  Guest speakers from local industries will be invited to campus to share company insights and answer any career questions.  Company tours will also be scheduled through this period to highlight local industry and careers that are available to graduates of the Chemical Technology program.      

 

During the fall and spring semesters, the C-TECH Academy will continue to engage the community with meetings that will focus on laboratory techniques blended with hands-on usage of analytical instrumentation.  These meeting dates. titled "CT-Discovery", will be offered throughout the academic year.  Learners of all backgrounds are encouraged to enroll; high school students, CFCC students, adult learners, and any other member of the general public, are invited to attend these sessions.  The CT-Discovery meetings will blend Chemical Technology and current scientific issues with the concept of "citizen science", allowing participants to contribute scientific data to their community.  Throughout these meetings, participants will discover and receive training on in-depth analytical processes and real-world laboratory techniques.

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By participating in the activities offered by the C-TECH Academy, participants will have a better understanding of common laboratory techniques, organic processes, and use of analytical instrumentation including high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic absorption (AA), mass spectroscopy (MS), ion chromatography (IC), electrophoresis, and automated polarimeters, titrators, and density meters.  Join us in the Chemical Technology laboratory at CFCC!