Introducing High School Students to the Connection between Chemistry and Healthcare Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Attracting undergraduates who are interested in a career in medicine to a chemistry major can benefit both the student and the chemistry department. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a popular medical imaging and diagnostic tool that is familiar to many high school students. Here we introduce an outreach activity for high school students that introduces them to the physics and chemistry behind MRI, specifically how the different relaxation times of nuclei in fat and water can be exploited to create water-enhanced or fat-enhanced images. The concept of contrast agents is also introduced, and students explore how adding a contrast agent can reduce the overall time of an MRI scan. Three cohorts of rising high school seniors who participated in this activity as part of a summer camp on campus indicated that they enjoyed it and that the activity improved their understanding of the connection between healthcare and physical chemistry.