GVSU’s Chemistry Department hosted 15 high school students from July 15–19, 2026, for "Molecular Minds," a summer camp held at the Richard M. DeVos Center in Grand Rapids. Designed for students in grades 9–12, the no-cost program aimed to lower barriers and expose participants—especially those with limited high school lab resources—to college-level scientific equipment. Modeled after a successful outreach initiative at Kalamazoo College, the hands-on curriculum allowed students to synthesize aspirin, measure caffeine in energy drinks, and perform melting-point analyses. Organized by GVSU faculty and supported by student assistants, staff, and an American Chemical Society grant, the week emphasized interactive discovery and real-world science. The camp concluded with a celebratory poster session where students presented their findings to visiting family members and learned about college application opportunities.