NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
October 2011 News & Announcements Alice J. Teter* Journal of Chemical Education, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53715, United States ABSTRACT: This article highlights current information of interest to the chemical education community. KEYWORDS: General Public, Public Understanding/Outreach, Conferences, Professional Development
’ OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
The inaugural year of the competition is open to students living in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Xi’an, China. Although youth of all skill, ability, and interest levels in each region will only compete against other student teams in their own region, the competition will engage students in both countries in a common challenge to highlight the roles that science and technology and the strategy of design play in solving problems that transcend national boundaries and to help prepare students for success in life. The 2011 challenge posed to students is Solar Solutions to the Rescue. Teams of students will design a solar-powered solution to a basic human need identified in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Participants will identify a situation, explore the issue, and then present their unique clean tech solution to a panel of industry and education experts for judging. Teams in each region will compete for $17,000 in cash prizes. The formal launch of the program will occur in August; teachers are encouraged to register themselves as a team leader to begin receiving program updates in preparation for this fall’s challenge. For more information about The Clean Tech Competition or to learn how to register, go to http://www.cleantechcompetition.org/Home.aspx (accessed Aug 2011).
Search for JCE Precollege Associate Editor
Having completed her five-year term as precollege associate editor, Erica Jacobsen has announced that she is stepping down from this position. Laura Slocum has also completed her term as precollege assistant editor and is stepping down from that position. The Journal of Chemical Education is now seeking someone to serve as precollege associate editor. If you are interested yourself, or know someone who seems well qualified for the position, watch for the announcement, which appears in this issue of the Journal (DOI: 10.1021/ed200526j).
’ EARTH SCIENCE WEEK 2011 (OCTOBER 9 15) Three Contests for Earth Science Week
The American Geological Institute is sponsoring three national contests, in photography, visual arts, and an essay contest, for Earth Science Week 2011. Focusing on the event theme of Our Ever-Changing Earth, the contests allow both students and the general public to participate in the celebration, learn about Earth science, and compete for prizes. The photography contest, open to all ages, focuses on A World of Change in My Community. The visual arts contest, titled Picturing Our Ever-Changing Earth, is open to students in grades K 5. Finally, students in grades 6 9 are eligible to enter the essay contest: “How Change Shapes Our Planet”. Essays of up to 300 words should describe how interactions among Earth systems—geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere— change our planet over time. Entries may be submitted any time up to the Friday of Earth Science Week, October 14, 2011. The first-place prize for each contest is $300 and a copy of AGI’s Faces of Earth 2-DVD package. To learn more about these contests, including how to enter, visit http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests (accessed Aug 2011).
Ocean Optics Photo Video Challenge 2011
Ocean Optics has opened the submissions period for its second annual Photo and Video challenge. Cash prizes will be awarded for best overall photograph and best overall video. Second-place and three runner-up prizes will also be given. The application period ends on November 15, 2011. To see last year’s winning entries and apply for the 2011 challenge, visit http:// www.oceanphotochallenge.com/ (accessed Aug 2011). Earth Science Week Web Site Has Been Redesigned
Teachers can find news, activities, contest guidelines, event planning tips, and many other resources. Students and others can find information on scholarships, internships, and networking opportunities. All of this is available at http://www.earthsciweek. org/ (accessed Aug 2011).
Clean Tech Competition for Students
’ AWARDS
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), in partnership with Applied Materials and the Chinese Association of Children’s Science Instructors, recently unveiled a new design contest—The Clean Tech Competition—aimed at engaging students ages 13 18 in real-world challenges that illustrate the powerful potential of clean technology to address critical global issues. Copyright r 2011 American Chemical Society and Division of Chemical Education, Inc.
2011 James Flack Norris Award Winner Announced
The Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society is pleased to announce that Professor Peter Mahaffy is the Published: August 25, 2011 1352
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Journal of Chemical Education recipient of the 2011 James Flack Norris Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Teaching of Chemistry. Within the classroom, Peter Mahaffy is known for his highly effective and innovative teaching methods, including his commitment to helping students, educators, scientists, and the general public observe the intricate connections between science and their everyday lives. Peter Mahaffy was instrumental in establishing and codirecting the King’s Centre for Visualization in Science, which has allowed him to continue his development of digital learning resources that help learners see and understand scientific concepts that would otherwise be difficult to visualize. Each month, over 10,000 learners from over 70 countries contribute to their chemical understanding by visiting http://www.kcvs.ca/ site/ (accessed Aug 2011) to access information on topics ranging from elementary science to chemistry, physics, and climate-change science. During the International Year of Chemistry, Peter Mahaffy has interacted with and learned from chemists and educators from around the world, observing the imaginative solutions they bring to the many challenges faced by scientists. He aspires to build on the IYC themes and to serve as a catalyst for education and understanding that enables the tools of imagination and science to make a positive difference. The Award will be formally presented to Peter Mahaffy at the November 10, 2011 meeting of the Northeastern Section. More information about this award can be found at http://www.nesacs.org/awards_norris.html (accessed Aug 2011). Nominations Solicited for the 2013 ACS Award for Achievement in Research for the Teaching and Learning of Chemistry
The American Chemical Society (ACS) solicits nominations for this award in chemistry education research. The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding contributions to experimental research that have increased our understanding of chemical pedagogy and led to improved teaching and learning of chemistry. Individuals who have made contributions in several topics of chemistry education, rather than in a single project or contribution, are good candidates for this award. This is an international award. The award honors qualitative, quantitative, experimental research, or case study research that investigates some aspect of the teaching and learning of chemistry over the candidate’s career. Evidence of outstanding research may include, but is not limited to, dissemination of the results of the research via appropriate peer-reviewed science education, chemical education, or science journals; chapters in science education, chemical education, or science books; invited talks at academic institutions; and or invited talks, posters, workshops, and participation in panel discussions at professional meetings. The award consists of $5000, a certificate, and a plaque. The awardee will be reimbursed for travel, lodging, and meal expenses associated with attending the 2013 ACS National Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Each award recipient is required to appear in person at the Spring ACS awards banquet to receive the award and to deliver an award address on the work that is being recognized at the Spring National Meeting. Pearson Education is sponsoring this award. Previous awardees are: 2007, J. Dudley Herron; 2008, Dorothy L. Gabel; 2009, Alex H. Johnstone; 2010, Michael R. Abraham; and 2011, David F. Treagust. The deadline for all nominating material for all 2013 ACS awards is November 1, 2011. A completed online nominator
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
form with a recommendation of not more than 300 words evaluating the nominee’s accomplishments and a specific identification of the work to be recognized is written by one individual. Two other individuals having detailed knowledge of the nominee’s work write supporting letters of not more than 250 words. Additional information about this award, the nomination process, and rules of eligibility may be found on the ACS Web site. Go to http://www.acs.org/ and select Funding & Awards > Awards > National Awards >2013 ACS National Awards > ACS Award for Achievement in Research for the Teaching and Learning of Chemistry (accessed Aug 2011).
’ WEB SITES OF ONGOING INTEREST A number of Web sites regularly add information about programs and funding sources for science educators. These sites sometimes post dates and deadlines too late to make it into print. Here is a partial list of such sites. We encourage you to visit them often (all accessed Aug 2011). • ACS Grants and Scholarships: http://www.acs.org/ (Home > Funding & Awards > Grants) • ACS Meetings: http://www.acs.org/ (Home > Meetings) • AGI Earth Science Week: http://www.earthsciweek.org/ • Dorothy and Moses Passer Education Fund: http://www. divched.org/content/awards • Earth Science Education: http://www.agiweb.org/geoeducation.html • International Year of Chemistry: http://www.chemistry2011.org/ • National Science Foundation: http://www.nsf.gov/ funding/ • NSF Education and Human Resources: http://www.nsf. gov/dir/index.jsp?org=EHR • NSTA New Science Teacher Academy: http://www.nsta. org/academy/ • Research Corporation for Science Advancement (Cottrell Awards): http://www.rescorp.org/ • Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge: http:// www.wecanchange.com/ • Toyota TAPESTRY Grants: http://www.nsta.org/pd/ tapestry/ • Vernier Technology Awards: http://www.vernier.com/ grants/nsta/ ’ DO YOU HAVE NEWS OR ANNOUNCEMENTS TO SHARE? If you have news or announcements of interest to the chemical education community, send a brief description to Alice Teter at
[email protected].
’ AUTHOR INFORMATION Corresponding Author
*E-mail:
[email protected].
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