A Chemical Wall Street Sweepstakes A student often is never intmdoced to the impact of the chemical industry either in high school or college. Much can he learned ahout chemicals and chemical pn,ducts, historical connections, and facinating individuals hy such an intnduetiun. In teaching a course entitled "Everyday Chemistry" (a general education core course with laboratory for nmseience majors), 1 brought attention to the chemical industry through a "Wall Street Sweepstakes.'' At the first class sessim, students received a listing of 20 companies that were among the top producers of chemicals. Choices were made from appropriate listings in Chemical and Engineering News (see, for example, p. 15 of the May 2,1983 edition). Listed with each company was the value of that company's common stoek an a specified day prior to the first class. Each student was asked to choose a company; that company's stock value vacillations were then to he fdlowed throughout the term. Meanwhile, during the first part of the term the student gathered information on the company, its history and products. (Leading information can he found in "Moody's Industrial Manual" or "Mwdy's Handhook," and the company's public information department will send annual reports and other information upon request). In the second half ofthe course, hrief oral reports were presented, one a t the heginning of each class period. At the final class period, student? brought in the closing s b c k value of their company from the prior Wall Street session.' T h e company whose stock value had the greatest percentage increase over the initial base value a t the start of the course was the Sweepstakes winner. (Through appropriate use of imagination, the instructor can provide a small prim for the student having the winning company, as well as for the person with the company having least success.) Throughout the semester, students and teacher can informally note news items that relate to new discoveries, environmental or legal issues, as well as other matters that may effect a company's activity on the stack market. Reviewing magazines such as Chrmicnl Wrrk and Chrrnicol and Engineering Nmus can provide information and insights. This "real wnrld"exercise is an enjoyable way of tying together the theory and practice of chemistry. I T h e instructor is advised to have this informatiun a t hand also and to have determined the percent increase or decrease.
James Pegolotti Western Connecticut State University Danbuty, CT 06810
Volume 60 Number 12
December 1983
1047
