Methodological Process to Select, Develop, and Execute a Chemical Experiment for an Innovative Extension Project: Connecting Technological Research to Basic Education

1000 Future Scientists (1000FSc) is a university extension project developed at the Department of Chemistry in Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). Conducted by the Higher Education Administrative Technicians and Professors, it presents the university to the community by proposing an engaging experience for elementary and high school students. In this work, we discuss the process to develop chemical experiments for the 1000FSc project. This process aims to show how innovative technological research in chemistry can be applied to solve social problems, after being adequately adapted to laboratory experiments. Since laboratory practical science lessons are not a reality in the majority of Brazilian public schools, the 1000FSc project allows sharing the UFMG laboratory infrastructure with these students. Simultaneously, undergraduate and graduate students work as volunteers and are engaged in this production process that is a valuable contribution to their extension experience.