- - -, HARRIETG FRIEDSTEIN
media e~change Exploring Careers in Science StanleyJ. Shapiro, Richards Rosen Press, Inc., 29 E. 2lst St., New York, NY 10010, 1981, 140 pp., $7.97
Secondary educators today evidence a growing concern to provide better information for students choosing a career in order that they may choose more wisely. Most who have taught any length of time have seen haw for someformer students failure to choose wisely call lead t o dissatisfaction, frustration, and futility-what some might call "the sousre oee in around hole" svndrome. -~~~ Students choosing a career fall into two categories: those who are fully intent on entering a field with the purpose of mastering it, and those t o whom a specific career makes a nice conversation piece t o impress friends, relatives, and casual acquaintances with their high
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main subject area is chemistry. Shapiro presents all science careers with their main ramifications avoiding bias. This reflects a maturity and pragmatic approach which is most helpful in developing guidance material. The style strongly suggests "talking with the reader" rather than "talking t o the reader." With its emphasis an proper English and effective communication in the sciences, its value is increased. In addition, the expected incomes for various levels of training are listed, a valuable resource. This book would be a superb addition ta a teacher's personal library and a must for the library of every secondary school. ALBERT J. CHAPMAN, JR. Marion High School West 26th Street Marion. IN 46952
Chemistry: A First Course Jacqueline I Kroschwitz and Melvin Winckur, McGraw-Hill Co.. New York. NY, 1980, $16.95, with an accompanying "Lab Manual." $9.50; "Instructor's Manual," $3.95; "Study Guide," $5.95
This text and its accompanying learning aids, which include an instructor's manual, a laboratory manual, and a study guide, offer a
tlve reasoning skills. The order of arrangement of topics m the text was chosen to present material requiring a concrete reasoning level first, then gradually proceeds to material requiring an ahstract formal reasoning level. Because the text teaches basic math skills and offers a clear explanation of fundamental concepts, i t can he readily used for a supplemental text. The tent, which contains more material than can be covered in a normal course, can be used for accelerated classes, or in Chemistry 11. With its abundance of problems, it would serve as an
Rochester Inmute of Technology P 0 Box 9887 Rochester, NY 14623
ideal reference text. The Instructor's Manual is a good teacher'sreference with its sample tests for each chapter and lab. The questions and ~ r o h l e m sranm - hevond . simnle recall uuestions to classification, analysis, interpretation of graphs, etc. The Study Guidecan be used for supplemental work becauseit is arranged in a programmed format which allows far self-pacing. It has lots of questions and problems, as well as self-test sections. Finally, the laboratory manual places an emphasis on safety: a 1 OSHA category I chemieals-known carcinogens-have heen avoided. The assumption was made hy the authors that students using the manual have little or no previous experience in lab, and so the beginning experiments aim to increase confidence by building manual skills and improving ability to make observations and draw eanclusians. Further, t o encourage adequate preparation on the part of the student, pre-lab self tests are required. Space is provided an the procedure sheets for students to record observations. A separate report sheet is providedfor thestudentto turnin after completing each lab. Bath auantitative and qualitative labs are included. For these several reakns the manual H i readilv. adanted . for a sunnlement. .. Altogether, this set of materials excites me more than any I've seen in several years, and I intend to make good use of the set that I r e ceived! OVONNE DARTER Carirzo Springs High School Carizzo Springs, TX 78834
Basic Gas Chromatography H. M. McNairand E. J. BoneNi, Varian Press, 5th edition, 1969
The authors, McNair and Bonelli, have done a superior job of showing how gas chromatography (GC) can be utilized in the study of a wide variety of chemical phenomena, quickly, simply, and in most cases, accurately. The hook confirms the feeling that the major advantage of gas chromatography is its simplicity and truly encourages the use of this techniaue. "Basic Gas Chromatop.aphyn would serve as an excellent tool for advanced placement chemistry classes and also as a supplement in second~yearchemistry courses. In addition, h ~ g hschool students involved in science fair researchon gas chromatography would find this book t o he of great value. All aspects of gas chromatography are comprehensively covered in a simplified and understandablr fashion. The organization of topics is excellent. In the section on aonlications. it eneaurares the use of and pharmaceuticals. The chapter on chromatogram interpretation helps the chromatographer interpret the different peak shapes encountered. The seven experiments which are included may be utilized by advanced high school chemistry classes or by individual students. The comprehensive bibliography accompanying each chapter provides additional sources nf information for the interested reader.
rial. JOSEPH R. TARELLO Sornerviile High School Sornerviiie. MA 02143
Volume 60
Number 3
M a r c h 1983
25 1
