This report describes a curriculum reform project conducted at Spokane Community College (Washington), which has extensive vocational programs and a high percentage of non-traditional students. The purpose of the project was to develop and test a series of student Learning Activity Packets (LAPs), which introduce fundamental chemistry concepts by engaging students in hands-on exercises. The reformed curriculum merges lecture and laboratory components of traditional chemistry and modern society, seeking to make connections to relevant issues from the students' perspectives which, in turn, encourages discovery of academic concepts and fosters student confidence. The hands-on curriculum covers fundamental concepts in chemistry, nutrition and food, and environmental and nuclear chemistry. Each topic contains eight to ten LAPs in order to insure both topical and modular knowledge. This report further details the LAP format, interactive laboratory exercises, first-hand experiences, the concept of writing-to-learn, and explains the instructor's role in the learning process. Student feedback on the reformed curriculum was measured via a survey designed to measure the effectiveness of course structure and content. Student responses were overwhelmingly positive, and over 90% indicated that they would take another such course in the future. (Contains 4 tables, 1 figure, and 35 references.) (CB)