Chemical Education: The Role Played by IUPAC 8. T. Newbold National Representative for Canada, IUPAC CTC, Universite de Moncton, MonGton, New Brunswick EIA 3E9, Canada D. J. Waddington Chairman, IUPAC CTC, University of York, Heslington, York, YO1 5DD. U.K.
One of the sponsors of the International Conference held in August a t the University of Maryland was IUPAC CTC. Now the initials IUPAC, denoting the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, are well known to most students of chemistry. They are associated in their minds with lists of atomic weights, the nomenclature of inorganic and organic compounds, and the naming of new elements. However, for professional chemists these are just a few of the myriad activities in which they take part and from which chemists benefit. IUPAC promotes cooperation and the furtherance of chemistry worldwide. I t has over 40 commissions and sections which are the internationallv reconnized authorities, responsible for the regulation and standardization not onlv of atomic weights and nomenclature, hut analvtical proced;res, standard-methods of assay, etc. Its ~ p p l i e d Chemistry Division has commissions on, for example, food contaminents, atmospheric environment, and water quality. The first CHEMRAWN (Chemical Research Applied to World Needs) Conference ( I ) on Future Sources of Organic Raw Materials (2) highlights IUPAC's concern with worldwide problems; its second conference, to be held shortly, is on "Chemical Research to Meet the World's Expanding Food Needs" (Manila, Philippines, Fehruary 1982). What do the initials CTC represent? In 1964, IUPAC formed the Committee on Teaching of Chemistry, and the chairmen who have held office are R. S. Nyholm (Australia), R. W. Parry (U.S.A.),C. N. R. Rao (India). Professor Rao, who received the Centennial Foreign Fellowship from the American Chemical Society in 1976, was, in his role as chairman of CTC, the chairman of the Maryland conference. The committee has up to eight members, and each country with IUPAC representation can nominate a national representative. The national representative may attend all CTC meetings and provides the link between CTC and their national chemical education organizations and teachers. This is obviously a vital role, and the success of the committee's work depends on how vigorous a part the representative takes. As discussed later, there are means by which CTC is able to maintain links with countries that are not members of IUPAC. The key purpose of the CTC is simple: namely "to act as an informational and coordinating bodv for chemical education activities throughout the world." 1t may be simple to state, but i t is a daunting task. The well-being of international endeavors in chemical education is obviously enhanced if there is a harmonious relationship between CTC and the various divisions of UNESCO, the U.N. agency most closely associated with chemical education. Further, through bodies such as FECS, FLAQ, FACS, ALECSO, and AFSAU, which are the regional federations of chemical or science societies of Europe, Latin America, the Asian regions, the Arab region, and Africa, respectively, CTC is able to keep in touch with all developing countries which are not members of IUPAC. All this sounds bureaucratic; indeed it is. The success of these organizations and committees must be measured in
terms of how they bring together chemistry teachers and how they can help keep teachers who do not have the means to come to meetings or access to the latest literature abreast of developments. Perhaps it is easiest to show the way IUPAC CTC tries to play its part in bringing together teachers worldwide by giving a brief account of recent activities. I t falls to CTC to sponsor and arrange international conferences on chemical education. These are held every two vears. and the last four have been in Madrid, Suain (1975: Cmnihg ~ e c a d i s ()4 ) ;Dublin, Ireland (1979: Interaction Between Secondary and Tertiary Level Teaching) ( 5 ) ; and Maryland (1981: Teaching Chemistry in a Diverse World) ( 6 ) . One particular feature is that through these conferences chemistry teachers from many countries (59 and 78 different countries were represented in Dublin and Maryland) are brought together, and in the last two, about a third of the participants were from secondary schools. These conferences are vigorously supported financially by UNESCO, enabling many participants from developing countries to take part. CTC produces the International Newsletter on Chemical Education (7). Over 4000 copies are printed per issue (twice
ciety, with authors from nine different countriesand UNESCO. Issue No. 16 was largely based on the recent International Conference in Maryland. The printing and postage are funded by UNESCO, the publication and editing by IUPAC. If readers would like a copy, they should write to their national representative or to the editor. CTC has recently published an anthology, "Chemical Education in the Seventies" (B), containing contributions from individuals in 40 countries and outlining developments in chemical education in schools, colleges, and universities. It highlights major innovations and new programs in these countries. The text provides a forum for the exchange of information about recent changes in curricula, assessment techniques, and other important aspects of chemistry teaching. has also produced, in the last few years, several surveys. The full reDorts can be obtained from their authors, nhhrrviatd vtr.ioni h n p ~ ~ h r ~ i n a in l , lthe r Inr. rnur~onul .\'ew,/+ r ! + r. Tht.1. in,4u1lc~ ~ I n t r , d t ~ d'Sl c ~ i ~llnita m i n S,hwI and University Teaching: Implementation and Difficulties" (9, 101, "Survey of Chemical Education in Developing Countries" ( l l ) , and "Survey on Continuing Education of Chemists in Industry" (12). A survey on low-cost equipment for laboratory work, carried out under the auspices of CTC, has also been published (13). The Newsletter tries hard to oromote the exchange - of ideas and the dissemination of information on chemical education all over the world. The Newsletter in the Dast four vears has contained articles about chemical education in a truly interVolume 59
Number 2
February 1982
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National Representatives, IUPAC CTC Arab Rwubiic u/Egypt Professor M. I. Khodier c/o Academy of Scientific Research and Technology 101 Kasr El ninvstreet
Depsrlmsnt of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry University of western Australia Nedlands Western Australia 6009 Ausfiio Professor T. Schonfeld lnstitut fur Anorganische Chemie der Universilat Wien Washringerstmare 42 A-1090 Wim Belgium Professor G. Gueskena university of Brusseh CampvsPlaine 206-1 Boulevard d" Triomphe 5 ~ 1 0 5 0Brussels Brad Profeas"1 E. Gieibrecht Institute de Quimica Universidade de Sao Paulo Csiaa pnstal 20.780
mow sao
do
Bulgaria Professor G. M. Blianakov ~ ~ ~ ~ 'oftInorganic ~ e n Chemistry t Faculty of Chemistiy university of Sufis Suiia Caned0 Proferaor B. T. Newbold Department of Chemistry Universi* de Moncton Mondon New B~vnswickEIA 3E9 peapies Rrpubiic 01Chino Pmfessor Ch. Guang-xu Department of Chemistry Peking Nomal University Belling Czechosiovokzo Professor J . GW.0 Institute of Inorganic Chtmistry Chem. Techn. Fakulta Sl~venskaYysoka SkalaTechnicka Janaka 1 CS-880 37 Bratislava
Danmarks Laererhojskole Emdrupvej 11SB D K - I 0 0 Kobenhaun, NV Fedaioi Republic o/Germony or. U.Hofacker Gesellschaft Deutschel Chemiker Purtfsch 800440 Carl Busuh~Havs Varrentrappstrasse 40~42 D~6000FrankfurtIMain 90 Finland Professor P. Malkanen Department of Chemistry University of Helsinki vuorikatu 20 SF~WLOOHelsinki10 Fronct Professor M. Chastrette Labomtoire de Chimie organique Physique Universite Claude Bernard Lyon I 43Bnulevarddu 11 Novembre 1918 F-69622 Villeurbanne Cedex Ce,mon Democratic Republic Pmfessor H. Bremer. Technische Hochschule "Carl Schorllemmor" Geusaer strasse 42 Meiseburg Greece Proferaor I. Dilsris Association of Gmek Chemists 27 Kaningos Street Athens 147 Hungary
Professor C. szantay Institute of Organic Chemistry Technical University of Budapest Golie* Ter 4 H-1521 Budapest Indio Dr. K. V. sane Department of Chemistry University of Delhi Delhi, 110007 Irrinnd Mr. P. A. start Department "f Chemistry UnlversiLy College Dublin
national sense, for example from Austria, Canada, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, France, F.R.G., G.D.R., Japan, India, Italy, Israel, Kenya, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Portueal. Sri Lanka. Toeo. U.K.. Uvver Volta. U.S.A. capacity, as consultants, writers, and editors. Some recent examoles include the series New Trends in Chemistry ~ e a c h i nThe ~ . latest volume is an anthology of papers concerned with chemical education which have appeared in international and national journals (14). This hook and a new text which is being written at present, "Teaching School Chemistry" ( 1 5 ) ,are aimed in particular towards educational advisers, curriculum writers, and teachers at all levels, particularly those in developing countries where resource material is often in short supply at their institutions and schools. "Teaching School Chemistry," which hopefully will be published in 1982, will cover such topics as curricula, curricula design and evaluation, assessment, training of teachers, inservice courses, and chemical education research. CTC has also been involved with the UNESCO-insvired initiative to encourage laboratory work in college and nniversity courses. This has taken the form of workshops, the first being held in Seoul, Korea in 1975 for the Southeast Asian reeion (16)and later ones heine held in other repions. Colleze add university teachers are brought together to test and devise 108
Journal of Chemical Education
Israel Professor D. Samuel Weiemann institute of science Rehovot Iiaiy Pmfessor I.. Paoloni Gluppa Chimica Teoriea Universita di Palermo via Archirafi 20 1~80123Palerrno Japan
Professor J. T . Shimozawa Farulty of Science & Engineering Saitama University Shimo-okuho Urawa 338 Neihdands Dr. C. Habraken c1oKoninkli~keNederlandse Chemische vereniging Burnierstrsat 1 NL~2596HY Den Haas New Zealond M1.T R. Hitching8 Riccartm High School Cmlett's Road Christchurch4 Nolmay Mrs. V. Ringnes Jegeraaen 30 N-1347 Hasle Poland Professor B. Jerowsks~T~zebiatowska 1nstytut Chemie unirers*et wruc1awii UI. Joliot-Curie 14 PLAO 383 Wraclsr Portugal Mi8l M. P. B. A. pereira A". Combatentea da Grande Guerra 16-I'D' Amadom Reoubiic of South Africa DT, G. C: Genam Department of Chemistry university of the witwatersrand 1 Jan smuts Avenue Johannesbure 2001 Romonio
Professor C. I. simionescu Akademia Repubiicii socia1iste Romania Stiade Universitatii Nr. 16 1asi
Spin Professor J. Mmcilln aubic Facultad de ciencias 11niveraidad de Madrid M.diid Sueden Professor N. G. Vannerberg Department of inorganic Chemistry Chalmers University of Technology S-412 96Goteboig Sluitlrriand Piofessor G. H. wagniere Physikalirch~-Chemi~chhh 1nstitut deruniversitat Zurich winterthurerstrasse 190 CH~8057Zurich synan ~ ~ ~ b n ~ ~ ~ b i i ~ Professor \v Hakki c / o Dr. M. Adrian Rifai Secretary General supreme council sciences PO8 4762 Dainascus Turkey Professor A. R. Berkem Pmfersurler Sitesi, Al, No. 18 Etiler~Istanbul UnitedKingdam Professor C. C. Addison, FRS Department of Chemistry Univwiity of Nottingham university Pa!k Nottingham NG7 2RD United Stoles o/Americo Professor w . B. Cook Coliege of Natural Sciences Colorado State University Fort cuuins Colorado80628 U.S.A. U.S.S.R. Plufessor E. M. sokolovskaya Department of Chemistry Lomonosov Mnscar State UniYersity 1.eninakie Guiy SU-117234 Moscow venrzueio
Dr. L. Cortea Escuela de quimiea Univeisidad Central de Venezuela Caracas Yugoslauia Profess01 A. Kornhauaer Fakulteta za Nararnslovje in Tehnologljo RCPU Yerova4.P.O.B. 8111 Ljubljana
experiments which can be implemented under the sometimes very difficult conditions under which they have to work (e.g., lack of basic facilities, few resources, large classes, inexperienced teachers). CTC bas now, with the assistance of Unesco, heeun a series of workshoos to encourage the local vroduction u of low-cost equipment at this level. The first workshop was held, with financial support from COSTED (Committee of Science and Technology in Developing Countries) in Madras, India in April 1981.' In this workshop, groups of teachers in the region brought low-cost equipment that they had made, and the 35 varticiuants from India and the Southeast Asian region usedit, first to check whether it would perform as well as the corresponding commercial apparatus and then to produce a manual in which the fabrication of the equipment is explained and some tested experiments for each are given. For example, a group at the University of Delhi designed a pH meter, conductance cell, and colorimeter made only of materials manufactured within India.2 At the time of the workshop, Tne Manua on local y-proouced ou-cost eq- pment and exper rnents w I be p ~ isneo b 0 ) -PAC CTC and COSTED. F~rlneroetalls may be obtained from D. J. Waddington or from Professor S. Radhakrishna, Scientific Secretary of COSTED, Indian lnstituie of Technology, Madras 600 036, India. Further details may be obtained from Dr. K. V. Sane, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, lndia.
only one type of opamp was manufactured in India; it has been used even though i t means that the circuit is not as simple as another type manufactured in, say, the United States (17). In following this philosophy, the Delhi group wants to emphasize self-reliance. In the manual, alternative circuits are piven. For lndia &ereare no import controls on electronic components in Hung Kong. Further workshops, modeled on the Madras workshop, have already been held in India, and two more regional workshops are also due to he held in 1982 and 1983. At these workshoos. and other teaching aids will . , other eaui~ment . be developed, for the needs vary from university to university, course to course. teacher to teacher. Thev will ~ r o b a b l vhe held in Latin ~ m e r i c aand in Africa. However. as C. N. R. Rao has oointed out, for the development of equipment, the "single'most crucial factor that determines success will be the availability of knowhow to maintain and repair instruments. This is a terrible problem . . . . The biggest boon to chemistry departments will be if we can provide trained personnel (teachers or technicians) who can at least repair and maintain simple equipment" (18). ICSU CTS,3 COSTED, and UNESCO have a program to encourage the maintenance and repair of equipment in science laboratories in universities and colleges. The first workshop was held in Bombap in September and the second is due to be held in Nairobi in April 1982. CTC is actively collaborating with this program. Another international hodv with which we keen in contact is ICASE (the International C"nunci1of ~ssociatioisof Science E d u c a t i ~ n )ICASE .~ is also in the ICSU family and brings iCSU is the International Council of Scientific Unions, of which IUPAC is a member. CTS is its Committee on Teachina of Science on wh cn CTC nas represenrarion. COSTED s a Comm t;ee of CS,. For lunher deta s of !he Bombay Worksnop Dr. R A. Kulkarn C. C. Snroff Research nsl lute. Goregaon ~Wesrj.Bomoay 400 062. India. For further details: D. G. Chisman, Secretary of ICASE, 114 The Avenue, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex, U.K.
.
together the Science Teachers' Association worldwide. CTC is anxious to promote joint activities. All activities depend upon the community of chemistry teachers at every level, who are willing to give their time, their ideas, and their energy, freely, either working through their national re~resentativeor directlv through the chairman and I i I r t r 1 . ( ' h t t . t r t ' t t t , I.nlar.~twrvdc ( ' h i m l r Orruuiouc I ' l w a i a u e . L l n i v e r i t e Claude Hrrnnrd l . ~ m I, 69622 ~Zleuihanne,France). We will be delighted to hear from you if you want to take part and to help us flourish. Literature Cited 11) Rossitter,B. W.,InfernofianvlN~wrl~tieronChemiroiEduroiian, 12, 8 119791. (2) St-Pierre. L. E. and Blown, G. R. (Editors), "Futme Sou~cesufOrganicRsw Materi~ 81s-CHEMRAWN I? Pergamon Press, 1980. (3) Rao, C. N. R. (Editor), "Educational Technolay in the Teaching of Chemistry? Prurrrdmgs o/ the lnlernnfionoi Symposium an ChemirolEducotion, September 1975, Madrid, Spnin, 1975. 14) Komhauser, A. (Editor), "Chemicai Edlration in the Coming Decades, Problems and Chdeng~s,"Procredingso/ the Internofrond Symposium on Chemical Education. August 1977,Ljubijona. Yugoslouia.DDU Uniuerrum, 1979. 151 Childs, P, and Gowan, d. E. (Editom), "The Teaching of Chemistry-Interaction be" g ~ I n t e r ~ t i o n ~Cl U l "/~~~"CP tween Secondary and Tertiay L e " e l 8 " P r ~ ~ ~ t d i 01ihs on Chemical Edueoiion. August 1879. Dublin. Ireland. 1980. (6) "Teaching Chemistry in a Diverse World," Proceedings 01 the Sirth Internaliunal , TO be pubcon~orencein ~homtcol~ d u c a r i o n ,university 01 ~ o r y l o n d 1981. lished. (71 Internotiunal N e w s l e l t ~ ron Chemical Educotion. At preamt the editor ir D. J. Waddington, Department af Chemistry, Unive~sityofYurk, Herlingtun, York YO1 5DD. U.K. (8) A. Kornhauaer, Rao C. N. R., and Waddington, D. d.. "Chemical Education in the Seuentiea"lUPAC CTC, 1980. (9) Newbotd. B. T.. InternationolNewsletttt o n ChemicaiEducotion. 10.3 (1978). (10) Newbold, B. T., InirmaiionnlNelusletttt on Chemical Educolion, 13.8 (1980). . N. R. lnrarnationol Nemrimer on C h r m i d ~ d u c o t i n n8, , z 11978). (11) ~ a u C. (12) Cook, W. B.,IntemotionalNemsletter anChrmicoIEducot~an,9,311978). (13) Waddington, D, d., "Chemical Education in Developing Countries: Prnceedings of the Penong Conlwmce, 1979, Rao, C. N. R. and Radhakrishns. S. (Editors), COSTED. 1 9 7 9 , ~59. . (14) Laffitte, M.. Thompson, J. J. and Waddinpton, D. J. (Editors), '"New Trends in Chemistry Teaching: Volume V, UNESCO, 1982 (English and French editions). (15) UNESCO, "Teaching School Chemistry." Tu be published. (16) Waddington, D. J. (Editor), "A Sourcebook of Chemical Experiments," Volume 1, IINESCOIIUPAC. 1976. Alsoavailable in Soanishtianslatiun: "Monualdr E r o r i ~ imrntos Quimicos," tom0 I. (171 Ssne, K., Ssne, K. V.. Slivastsua, P. K., and Waddington, D.J. J. CHEM.EDUC T o bepuhlished. (18) Rao, C. N. R., "Chemical Education in Developing Countiies: Proceedings of the Pmong Conference, 1979,Rao. C. N.R. and Radhhishna, S. (Editors), COSTED, 1979, p. 149.
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Number 2
February 1982
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