From Classroom to Community: Langston University Chemistry Students Gain Confidence Through Community Teaching
(This story was originally published in ‘E Roar Digital Magazine | Vol. 3 Issue 2 on March 6, 2026)
by Jet Turner
For many years, Dr. Ryan Johnson and the Langston University Department of Chemistry have worked diligently to create service-learning and confidence-building programs in STEM fields for high school students.
Dr. Johnson’s goal has always been to expand this work statewide, but he’s learned an important lesson during his endeavors.
“Externally funded programs are powerful but temporary,” Dr. Johnson said. “When grants end, students lose access to support.”
That’s why the Chemistry Department has shifted its focus to sustainability by embedding this work directly into Langston University’s curriculum, building permanent pipelines that connect LU students to Oklahoma communities.
The Thomas E. English Chemistry Leadership Initiative is a curriculum-embedded service learning program named after Langston University’s 12th president, who emphasized education for community engagement and service.
Langston University General Chemistry I students develop and deliver interactive chemistry demonstrations to local high school students, positioning themselves as experts and leaders. During the Fall 2025 semester, more than 25 LU students presented demonstrations at Frederick A. Douglass High School in Oklahoma City on Nov. 11 and 18.
For some of LU’s chemistry students, this was the first time they felt confident calling themselves “scientists.” That change in mindset doesn’t just help students pass chemistry; it shapes their entire STEM journey and career trajectory, according to Dr. Johnson.
General Chemistry I students designed demonstrations on topics like acids and bases, chemical reactions and states of matter. They practiced extensively, then taught 40-minute sessions to Douglass High School chemistry classes.
“This opportunity was encouraging for me because I got a glimpse of how well I can do in the education field as an instructor,” said Oliviya Greenhoward, a General Chemistry I student last semester. “I was so surprised, appreciative of and humbled by the experience.”
The department of chemistry is expanding the Thomas E. English Chemistry Leadership Initiative this semester and has submitted a research proposal to determine whether this type of teaching experience helps students build confidence in STEM fields.
“The goal is to create a replicable model that can scale across Oklahoma and beyond,” Dr. Johnson said. “A sustainable approach to STEM pipeline development that doesn’t depend on external funding cycles.”
