es can only he explained by the Arrhenius theory, when in fact both theories can he used. In spite of the historical interest in Arrhenius's theory, today the acid-base equilihria is explained according to the Br$nsted theory in current textbooks of general chemistry, including those written for the high school level. E. Bosch and M. D. Prat Deparmment de Quhica ~nalhica Universitat de Ber~tlona Barcelona. Spain
To the Editor: We wish ta respond to the commenta of Bosch and Prat on "A Syllabus for a Two-Semester Chemistry Course for Health Professions" IJ. Chem. Educ. 1987.. 64.. 6991. Thev comment on a lack of coverage of oxidation-reduction conceots in the svllahus. While oxidation-reduction is not eiven a major hea&ng, it is included in several different places in the syllabus. For example, oxidation-reduction is addressed in the following sections: VI. Chemical Reactions; XII. Alcohols, Ethers, Sulfides, and Phenols in subcategories E. 2. and G. 1.; XII. Aldehydes and Ketones in subcategory C. 1.; XVII. Carbohydrates in B. 1.; XVIII. Lipids in B. 4. and B. 5.; and XXII. Energetics in A. 1. The committee's intent was to cover oxidation-reduction in the context of the imnortant biochemical orocesses in which redox is involved. We would also liketo re-emphasize, as stated in the third oaramaoh. that while all tooics mentioned in the svllabus are quite important, the order of coverage is to he lefi to the individual instructor's discretion. The Committee on Chemical Education for the Health Professions is still an active committee of the Division of Chemical Education. The current Chair is Anna Wilson, Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907. We encourage our colleaguesto communicate with the committee about their concerns for the chemistry courses serving students planning careers in the health professions.
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John M. Daly Bellmine College LOUISViile, KY 40205
Jerry L. Sarquls M m l University Oxford, OH 45056
Physlcal Sclence for Elementary School Teachers To the Edito~
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Your editorial 11988.65.2831 sueeestine that nresent col, . lege-level physical science courses, chemistry included, are not meetine the needs of the elementarv teachers is correct. ~lementar; teachers take physical science courses that are too complicated for them to adapt to a lower level. In addition, most teachers take astronomy, geology, biology (most popular), and science education courses; whereas, the same teacher is expected to be able to teach simple topics in chemistry and physics. To meet the needs of the elementary teacher, Montgomery College, Takoma Park Campus, in conjunction with the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), has developed two courses titled "Physical Science for Elementary School Teachers", one for teachers of grades K-3 and the second for teachers of grades 4-6. The course for teachers of grades 6 6 540
Journal of Chemical Education
is in place and has been taught during each of the past three summers. The course for teachers of grades K-3is targeted The content for either the Summer of 1989 or 1990. -~ - - ~ of ~ each - ~ course is based on the physical science topics in the MCPS Program of Studies for the appropriate grades. Laboratory exercises have been chosen from those developed for elementary schools and for which either equipment is easily obtained (grocery stores, etc.) or is currently found in the schools, such as SCIIS, ESS, etc. The courses are team taught by faculty from geology, chemistry, physics, nursing, mathematics, and psychology and cover the general topics of chemistry, physics, geology, biophysics for kids, and mathscience anxiety. Evaluation has shown that the teachers who successfully complete this course are more confident, more enthusiastic, and more successful science teachers. Many of these teachers are now being recognized as science resource people in their schools: others have moved into advanced nositions due ta their expertise in elementary science. For these teachers and their students. teachine and learning science has become fun! ~
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Susan Fell Thornton Montgomery College Takoma Park, MD 20912
Leopold Gmelln-200th
Anniversary Stamp
To the Editm
In reading the October 1988 issue I found your series "Chemistry on Stamps" with the contribution on "Alfred Nobel and Philately" [1988, 65, 8431. I want to draw your attention to the fact that the Deutsche Bundespost has issued a special stamp of Leopold Gmelin on occasion of his 200th anniversary. Below is pictured the 1988 Christmas c'ard from the Gmelin-Institut showing the above-mentioned stamp.
w. Llpperl Steilvertretender Direktor Gmelin-InstIM fdr Anorganirche Chemie der Max-Pianck-Gessellschafi 0-6000 Frankfurt (Main) 90 Postfsch 900467 West Germany
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