Chemical Education Today
News & Announcements photo: Roxie Allen
Awards Announced Chemagination National Winners Announced The ACS Office of Community Activities and the Committee on Community Activities have selected the winners of the 2005 national Chemagination contest. For the contest, high school students wrote fictional articles for a ChemMatters magazine dated 25 years in the future. The article was supposed to “describe a recent breakthrough or innovation in chemistry (and/or its applications) and how it has improved the quality of people’s lives today.” Students also designed a cover for the magazine. Winners were selected in four categories. • Alternative Energy Sources: “Coalspark: The Direct Carbon Fuel Cell.” This is a fuel cell designed for home use. It is powered by highly refined coal at twice the efficiency of combustion; designed by Elliott Biondo, Adam Farrell, and Gregory Iannuzzi, Damascus High School, Damascus, MD; Elena Pisciotta, advisor. • Environment: “From Handles and Knobs to Fleece and Beyond!” A hydrolytic enzyme helps break the cross-links of thermosetting plastics for recycling; designed by Bilqis Fassassi, Laura Kranish, and Grace Lerner, Albert Einstein High School, Kensington, MD; Ann Coren and Scott Soderholm, advisors. • Medicine/Health: “The Transdermal Nutrient System.” One square patch feeds those who can’t have three square meals; designed by Sapna Shah and Alexandra Vargas, Ridgefield Park High School, Ridgefield Park, NJ; Christine Iannucci, advisor. • New Materials: “Gecko Cleats.” Scientists used the technology of van der Waals forces found on gecko feet to revolutionize sports for athletes; designed by Cory Hawkins and Abigail Hunt, Albert Einstein High School, Kensington, MD; Ann Coren and Scott Soderholm, advisors.
For more information about Chemagination, including how to host a 2005–2006 contest, visit http://chemistry.org/ oca, send an email to
[email protected], or telephone 800/227-5558, ext 4458. 2005 International Chemistry Olympiad The International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) originated in 1968 with participants from Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Hungary. Other European nations joined soon thereafter, and the U.S. (under the sponsorship of the American Chemical Society) sent its first team in 1984 and hosted the event in 1992. At the most recent competition in 2005, 225 students from 59 nations participated in the 37th IChO held July 16–25, 2005 in Taipei, Taiwan. Each nation sends a team of its four brightest high school chemistry students. They compete in a five-hour laboratory practical and a five-hour written theoretical examination. Two mentors accompany the students to translate and arbitrate the scoring of the exams.
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The 2005 U.S. Chemistry Olympiad team members pose with their medals, from left: Scott Rabin, Allen Cheng, Jacob Sanders, and Nicholas Sofroniew.
In addition to the competition, the students and mentors have opportunities to interact with one another and to experience the culture of the host country through planned educational and social events. At the 2005 competition, the U.S. team won three silver medals and one bronze medal. A student from Russia received the top gold medal, and the Korean team won the competition with four gold medals. Approximately 10,000 U.S. students annually take a local qualifying examination; those who score well take a national examination. Of those, 20 are chosen to attend a two-week camp in June at the U.S. Air Force Academy. At the camp, three high school and college teachers, as well as Academy faculty and staff, work with the students in the classroom and laboratory. The mentors in 2005 were Nadine Szczepanski (MacMurray College, Jacksonville, IL), Roxanna Allen (St. John’s School, Houston, TX), and John Kotz (SUNY–Oneonta). Wei Ho, a gold medal winner from the 1999 U.S. team, returned as a peer mentor. Cecilia Hernandez of the staff of the ACS Education Division manages the entire process, from start to finish; Kimberly Gardner of the U.S. Air Force Academy directs the study camp. More information on the U.S. olympiad program may be found on the ACS Web site at http://www.chemistry.org/education (accessed Oct 2005).
Award Deadlines 2006 Pittsburgh Conference College Grant Program The Pittsburgh Conference and its sponsoring societies, the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (SACP) and The Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh (SSP) announce the 2006 Pittsburgh Conference Memorial National College Grants Program. Established in memory of R. K. Scott, President of the Pittsburgh Conference in 1955, the program serves as a memorial to deceased members of the Pittsburgh Conference Committee by promoting excellence in science education. Through the program, small colleges can enhance
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News & Announcements their science curricula through grants to purchase scientific equipment, audio-visual or other teaching aids, or library materials for use in the teaching of science at the undergraduate level. The maximum funds available for any 2006 grant is $9,000. In 1974, two grants of $1000 each were given; in 2006, at least $115,000 is available for about 13 awards. Proposals should indicate the items desired, their respective costs, and how they would enhance science education at your school. For applications forms or additional information, contact John P. Baltrus, The Pittsburgh Conference— PCNMCG, 300 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 332, Pittsburgh, PA 15235-5503; phone: 412/825-3220, ext. 204; fax: 412/825-3224;
[email protected] (use PCMNCG in the subject line for proper handling). Grant applications and proposals must be received no later than December 1, 2005. Announcement of the awards will be made by February 2006. Applications Being Accepted for the Dorothy and Moses Passer Education Fund This fund was established by a generous donation of Dorothy and Moses Passer. Moses (Mike) Passer was for many years the head of the ACS Education Division. The Fund supports grants to provide support for teachers in programs at two- and four-year colleges or universities that do not have any advanced degree programs in the chemical sciences. The awards are to support continuing education activities that must be directly related to the applicant’s teaching and take the applicant away from his or her campus. The applicant must be a full-time faculty member at his or her institution. There is no formal application form but the application materials must include a description of the proposed activity and a statement of how it relates to the applicant’s teaching with dates, locations, titles, and contacts; a brief description of the applicant’s institution and department; a short curriculum vitae; an itemized estimate of expenses, the amount of aid requested, and sources of all supplemental funds including your own funds. The applications are reviewed by a committee. No support will be given for general attendance at national, regional, or local ACS meetings nor for any sabbatical support. Closing dates are three times each year: January 1, April 1, and September 1. Electronic applications are much preferred. For further information or inquiries contact Donald E. Jones,
[email protected]; mailing address: 3726 Connecticut Ave., NW, Apt. 108, Washington, DC 20008. Toyota TAPESTRY Grant Applications Application forms for the 2006 Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers Program. Up to $550,000 in grant funds will be awarded to at least 70 K–12 science projects nationwide; there will be 50 grants of up to $10,000 each and a minimum of 20 mini-grants of $2,500 each. Successful applicants would design and plan a one-year long project that centers on either environmental science education, physical science applications (applied physics, chemistry, and technology), or science and literacy. Projects should demonstrate creativity, involve risk-taking, possess a visionary quality, and model a novel way of presenting science. 1772
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Projects should involve hands-on activities, have an interdisciplinary approach and relate science to students’ lives. More information about the TAPESTRY program is available at http://www.nsta.org/programs/tapestry/index.htm. Application forms and guidelines are available online at http://www.nsta.org/ programs/tapestry/howtoapply.asp (both sites accessed Oct 2005). The deadline for completed applications is January 19, 2006.
Courses, Seminars, Meetings, Opportunities 19th BCCE, July 30–August 3, 2006
Plenary and Keynote Speakers The 19th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education is proud to announce its Plenary and Keynote speakers. The conference will open Sunday evening with “High performance chemistry: Cars and beyond”, a presentation for a general audience presented by Joe Turpin, racing enthusiast and associate senior analytical chemist, Eli Lilly and Company. This will be followed by the traditional ice cream social. Monday morning, Diane Bunce, professor of chemistry, Catholic University of America, will address the issue “Does chemical education research have answers to offer the chemistry community?” Tuesday morning, Peter Atkins, fellow, Lincoln College, Oxford University, and David N. Harpp, Macdonald Professor of Chemistry, McGill University, will discuss the public’s perceptions of chemistry in “Chemistry in the public eye”. An open forum inviting general participation in a discussion of the issues involved will follow this presentation. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings will feature two more general presentations, suitable for all. Shirley Corriher, author, chef, and scientist will enlighten us about “The secret life of food”. Bob Becker, chemistry teacher, Kirkwood High School, and Victor Obendrauf, lecturer, University of Graz, will present “Creative demo tales from two continents”. An informal gathering with food, drink, and music will follow Wednesday’s demonstrations. A selection of parallel keynote presentations will kick off symposia on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Richard Felder, Hoechst Celanese Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering, North Carolina State University, will address the connections between chemical engineering education and chemical education. Edward (Joe) Redish, professor of physics, University of Maryland, will address the connections between physics education and chemical education. Richard N. Zare, Marguerite Blake Wilbur Professor in Natural Science, Stanford University, will start the first-year chemistry symposium with “Beginning chemistry: Firing their imaginations”. Gerald F. Wheeler, executive director, National Science Teachers Association, will introduce a series of five symposia designed to help high school teachers understand and present lessons that meet the national standards with “A Look at the ‘drivers’ of science education reform”.
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Chemical Education Today
The conference closes Thursday morning with a presentation by William F. Carroll, president of the American Chemical Society: “Chemistry Enterprise: Looking Back at 2015”.
Call for Papers and Posters Last Call for Workshops and Demonstrations The program for the 19th BCCE will contain a variety of presentations designed to provide you with new ideas, strategies, and techniques for involving your students in active learning. We are certain you will find activities that will stimulate your interests. You will also find time to reflect and talk with your colleagues, to discuss something that you’ve seen, heard, or done, to share your ideas and to visit the posters and exhibition. There will be great social events and things to see and do, and, perhaps, even time to relax. The BCCEs are truly a great experience for anyone interested in chemical education and they do serve as a bridge between how we teach and how our students learn. The program is still open and we encourage you to submit abstracts for papers in the symposia noted above, for papers in other symposia, and for general papers, posters, workshops, or demonstrations. The deadline for submitting workshops and demonstrations is December 15, 2005; the deadline for papers and posters, February 1, 2006. We are particularly eager to have abstracts from high school teachers who will share their techniques for lessons that meet the national standards. Check the BCCE Web site http:// www.chem.purdue.edu/BCCE/ for a listing of all symposia and for instructions for submitting abstracts. The ACS Division of Chemical Education sponsors the Biennial Conferences on Chemical Education. The Department of Chemistry at Purdue University is pleased to host the 19th BCCE. A close cluster of air conditioned meeting facilities, as well as new, air conditioned housing, new food courts, recreation areas, and on-site child care make the Purdue University campus a great site for the meeting. Additional information about the conference is available at the Web site noted above or via email at
[email protected]. JustGarciaHill JustGarciaHill.org is an online resource that is a portal for professional development of scientists from minority groups. It is designed to stimulate networking, collaboration, and mentoring among undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and scientists in academia, industry, and government. The goals of the project are to: • Enhance the professional development of minorities in science • Increase the number of underrepresented minorities engaged in science research • Advance research on diseases that disproportionately afflict minority populations
Register for membership online; membership is limited to minorities underrepresented in science and scientists who www.JCE.DivCHED.org
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are committed to the goals of JustGarciaHill. The project is supported by a grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences through Sigma Xi. Science History Tour 2006 Our theme for the 2006 summer tour is “The Age of the Earth and the Evolution of Life”. It will begin on July 12 in the UK and end there on July 26. Cities to be visited include Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle, and York. We will go north to the Orkney Isles, visiting other places along the way. The price of the tour will include hotel accommodation with private bathrooms, admissions to museums, lecture fees, and taxes, as well as land transportation. Breakfasts, at least (on average) one other meal per day, and usually wine with dinners will also be included. The cost of the 2006 tour has not yet been calculated but we expect it to be around $2900 per person double occupancy. Transatlantic airfare is not included. Inexpensive graduate credit is available and free CPDUs for teachers. For further information or to be put on the mailing list, contact either Yvonne Twomey, PO Box 4707, Naperville, IL 60567-4707;
[email protected] or Lee Marek, 630/420-7516; email:
[email protected] and Lmarek2@ uic.edu. A Web presentation of past trips may be found at http://www.chem.uic.edu/marek/ (accessed Oct 2005). Educator’s Day, ACS Western Regional Meeting Water, Water, Everywhere! is the theme of Educator’s Day at the 40th ACS Western Regional Meeting (WRM). It will be held Sunday, January 22, 2006, at the DoubleTree Hotel, Anaheim/Orange, CA. Educator’s Day is a special program, prior to the technical program, affording educators the opportunity to focus on topics of particular relevance to teaching at the elementary, junior high, high school, and community college levels, as well as in the community. All WRM registrants may attend the Educator’s Day program, and educators may attend the technical program, including the symposium, Contemporary Issues in Chemical Education on Monday morning. The full day of symposia and presentations by experts on Sunday are a must for those involved in chemical education. A reception with eminent scientists and the opening of the exhibits ends the day. Highlights of Educator’s Day include a keynote address on Water and Chemistry and a plenary luncheon address by Susan Singer, Carleton College, on the recent National Academy of Sciences study, America’s Lab Report: Investigations in High School Science; available without charge online at http://www.nap.edu/books/0309096715/ html/ (accessed Oct 2005). There will be 15 other presentations that focus on the themes that include water, chemical resources and technology, outreach, teaching strategies, and demonstrations. For more information contact Margaret Carlberg, the Educator’s Day co-chair at
[email protected] or 714/ 776-1717 ext. 74. For general meeting information, visit http://www.WRM2006.org.
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News & Announcements Proposal Deadlines National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) These NSF deadlines have been established or are anticipated. • • •
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Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Preliminary Proposals (2006) April 25, 2006 Course, Curriculum, & Lab Improvement (CCLI) Full Proposals, Phase 2 and 3 January 24, 2006 Instructional Materials Development (IMD) Preliminary Proposals November 14, 2005 Full Proposals March 13, 2006 Research on Gender in Science & Engineering (GSE) Prelim. Proposals (Extension Serv.) January 6, 2006 Full Proposals (Research) February 24, 2006 Full Proposals (Dissemination) April 24, 2006 Full Proposals (Extension Serv.) April 24, 2006 Informal Science Education (ISE) Full Proposals December 5, 2005 Inf. Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) Preliminary Proposals November 2, 2005 Full Proposals February 24, 2006
Official deadline dates for proposals will be specified in the new program solicitation for each program, to be published at least three months before the relevant deadline date. Consult the new NSF Education and Human Resources (EHR) Web site (http://www.nsf.gov/dir/index.jsp?org=EHR) and that of its Division of Undergraduate Education (http://www.nsf.gov/dir/ index.jsp?div=DUE) for the most up-to-date listings and guidelines; phone: 703/292-8670; email:
[email protected].
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The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, Inc. • • • • • • •
Camille Dreyfus Teacher–Scholar Awards Program: November 10, 2005 Faculty Start-Up Awards Program: May 11, 2006 Henry Dreyfus Teacher–Scholar Awards Program: June 29, 2006 New Faculty Awards Program: May 11, 2006 Postdoctoral Program in Environmental Chemistry: May 25, 2006 Senior Scientist Mentor Program: Completed Proposals: October 5, 2006 Special Grant Program in the Chemical Sciences: Preliminary Proposals: June 1, 2006 Completed Proposals: August 24, 2006
Further information and confirmation of the above deadlines may be obtained from The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, Inc., 555 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 100223301; phone: 212/753-1760; email:
[email protected]; WWW: http://www.dreyfus.org/ Research Corporation • • • • •
Cottrell College Science Awards: May 15 and November 15 Cottrell Scholar Awards: September 1 Research Innovation Awards: suspended 2004–2005 Research Opportunity Awards: May 1 and October 1 Special Opportunities in Science Awards: prospective applicants should submit a preliminary letter
Further information may be obtained from Research Corporation, 4703 East Camp Lowell Drive, Suite 201, Tucson, AZ 85712; phone: 520/571-1111; fax: 520/571-1119; email:
[email protected]; WWW: http://www.rescorp.org/.
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