Celeste is trying to learn the series of steps involved in a lengthy procedure she needs to use in chemistry class. she takes the first letter of a keyword in each step and puts the combination of letters together to form a contrived word she can remember. what process is celeste using to remember the steps?

Celeste is using a mnemonic device.  A mnemonic device is any technique used to aid or help with remembering information or for retrieving information already learned.  Celeste is using an acronym (first letter of each word to create a new word that is easier to remember) as a mnemonic device.  Some mnemonic devices are words or phrases (i.e My Very Excellent Mother...for the planets).