ah&&$a& CHEMICAL EDUCATION THE COMMIWEE O N THE TEACHING O F CHEMISTRY w&Screated in Xarch of 1955 with the initial appointment of a number of members by C. A. VanderWerf, Chairman of the Division of Chemioal Education for 1954-55. Additional members have been a p pointed since that time. Though established to deal with all those aspects of chemistry teaching which might he the concern of the Division, primary attention has been given, thus far, t o high-sohool and undergraduate college chemistry. The first assignment undertaken by the Committee was the formulation of s program of American Chemical Society awards for exeellenoe in the teaching of high-school chemistry. A d* tailed proposal for six such awards to he made on a regional basis r s s drawn up by March of 1956. Since that date the proposal has been considered a t several meetings of the A.C.S. Board of Directors, the Board Committee on Awards, the Board Committee on Education and Students, the Council Committee on Chemical Education, the Council Committee on Local Section .4ctivities, the Council Policy Committee, and an ad hoc committee composed of the chairmen of several of these committees. I : . C. Weaver heads s. subcommittee a n Instructional Films for High-school Chemistry. To date, he has reviewed and analyzed 332 films and 76 film strips. H e is now collecting recommendations from high-school chemistry teachers concerning the h e ture of films they would like to have available. Replies from 530 teachers were received and tabulated by April 1,1957. Plans are underway for the production of two new films based on the rerommendatians of these teachers. Script writers are needed. .4nyone interested in helping with this work should get in touch with Mr. Weaver. A subcommittee a n the Preparation of Chemistry Tcschers (composed of W. B. Cook, Choirman, and I,. B. Clapp, I,. Colborn. Dorothy Gifford. W. G. Kessel, and T. Van Osdxll) is preparing a rePoit on opportunities available to high-school teachers =-ha wish to undertake postgraduate studies to strengthen their background in ohemistry and related subjects. Replies to a questionnaire sent to 288 graduate schools indicate that several good programs are now available and more are in the planning stage. Tho final report of this suhoommittee will he completed and distributed. I*.B. Clapp is arranging a symposium for the fall meeting of the Society in New Yorkon "New Ideas for the UndergraduateChemistry Curriculum." He will weloome information concern-
ing anq new programs now in opemtiotion. The Committee on Teaching is considering plans for a. conference to he devoted to a thorough study and interchange of ideas concerning the undergraduate curriculum in chemistry. The personnel of the Committee is drawn from many different kinds of e d ~ ~ e s t i o noorgrtnisation. d I t s general functions are to consider and study all kinds of ideas and proposals concerning chemical education, to focus attention on a few of t h e ~ ea t a given time, and to assist in the development of new programs through the action of small subcommittees. The Committee will welcome suggestions from anyone interested in its work.
J. Russell Bright, Wayne University, Det,rait, Michigan Robert H. Carletan, National Science Teachers .issociation, Washington, D. C. Ledlyn B. Clapp, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island Lon H. Colharn. Taylor Alldurdice High School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvrtnia. William B. Cook. National Science Foundation, Washington.
Falls, New York J. Fred H a d , University of Penna., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Rohert K. Henrich. Columbia. High School, Richlend, Washington William G. Kessel. Indisne State Teachers College. Terre Hal~te, Indiana Walter S. Lapp, Overbrook High School, Philsdelphia, Pennsylvania Douglas G. Nicholson, East Tennessee State College, Johnson City, Tennessee Bayes M. Norton, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio C. Harvey Sornm, University of Wisconsin, M%dison,\Visconsin Thomas C. Van Osdall. Shnts. Ana College. Snnta An&, California Elbert C. Weaver, Phillips Academy, Andover, 3I~ssachusetts
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
