Chemical Education Today
ACS National Meeting
Undergraduate Program: Boston by Lori Betsock
Sunday, August 19 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Undergraduate Hospitality Center. All undergraduates are invited to grab breakfast and network with other chemical science students, ACS staff, and the meeting program planners. Print resources pertinent to undergraduates will be available. 9–10:20 a.m. Faculty Advisors Coffee Break. A chance for faculty advisors to discuss their roles, ideas, challenges, and other topics with experienced advisors. 9–10:20 a.m. Alternative Careers in Chemistry Workshop. Love chemistry, but don’t want to work in a lab? Come to this workshop to hear from a panel of chemists who have chosen nontraditional career paths. 10:30 a.m.–noon Polymer Science Symposium. Several applications of polymers will be discussed. Talks include “Biopolymers and bio-inspired polymers for medical and personal care applications”, by Sarah Morgan; “Applying the polymer parameters to advanced polymeric membrane systems”, by James McGrath; “Frontiers in alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles: Activities and opportunities”, by Kathleen Havelka. Co-sponsored by POLY. 12:30–2:20 p.m. Getting the Most Out of Your Undergraduate Research Experiences. The workshop will address issues including creativity, problem solving (what to do when things don’t go as planned), time managing, presentation (poster presentation), publication (science writing, insights from editors of journals for undergraduates, etc.), international research opportunities, and scholarship information. There will be a discussion: I’m Here, Now What Should I Do? Lead Panelist: Joseph J. Grabowski. Panelists: Randy Duran, Nancy E. Levinger, Lisa Bell Loncella, and Bob Michel 2:30–3:30 p.m. Kids & Chemistry Workshop. Participants will get ideas on how to plan and present new science activities to elementary school children. 2:30–3:50 p.m. Graduate School Reality Check. A panel of graduate students, faculty, and university recruiters will discuss everything you’ve ever wanted to know about graduate school. 4–5:30 p.m. Graduate School Recruiting Ice Cream Social. Meet representatives from graduate schools throughout the country who will share information about their programs.
photo by Greater Boston CVB.
All undergraduate chemical science students are invited to attend the Undergraduate Program on August 19–20 at the Westin Copley Place Hotel. This program will offer a wide variety of activities designed specifically for you, including symposia on green chemistry and polymer science, and the Eminent Scientist Lecture and Luncheon, featuring Robert W. Lenz, “Bacterial Polyesters: Biosynthesis, Biodegradable Plastics and Biotechnology”. You’ll also receive tips to help navigate the road ahead, whether you’re considering graduate school, contemplating a career in science, or pursing research interests. Networking opportunities abound at socials, workshops, poster sessions—literally at every event you attend.
The USS Constitution 1, “Old Ironsides”, in Charlestown Naval Shipyard; http://www.ussconstitution.navy.mil/.
Monday, August 20 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Undergraduate Hospitality Center. 8:30 a.m.–9:50 a.m. Graduate School Recruiting Breakfast. Grab breakfast and meet with representatives from graduate schools throughout the country who will share information about their programs. 10–11.30 a.m. Green Chemistry Symposium. Learn how the principle and practice of Green Chemistry can affect our lives. “Green Chemistry—An Overview”, by Mary Kirchhoff; “How many ways can we use Mother Nature’s building blocks? Utilizing vegetable oils as renewable resources”, by James Rawlins; “Significant environmental impacts on university campuses”, by Leith Sharp. Co-sponsored by POLY. 11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m. Eminent Scientist Lecture and Luncheon. Featuring Robert W. Lenz, “Bacterial Polyesters: Biosynthesis, Biodegradable Plastics, and Biotechnology” 2:30–4:30 p.m. Undergraduate Research Poster Session; BCEC, Hall C. Sponsored by the Division of Chemical Education and co-sponsored by ANLY, BIOT, BIOL, ENVR, MEDI, PHYS, POLY, and PMSE: Science and Engineering. This event will be held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC). 8–10 p.m. Sci-Mix/Successful Student Affiliates Chapter Posters; BCEC, Hall C. Successful Student Affiliates chapters will display their activities. This event will be held at the BCEC.
All undergraduate program events are sponsored or cosponsored by the Society Committee on Education’s Task Force on Undergraduate Programming. The Task Force chair is Etta Gravely, North Carolina A&T University, Greensboro, NC; the program chair is Ping Furlan, University of Pittsburgh–Titusville, Titusville, PA. For more information contact the ACS Undergraduate Programs Office, 1-800-227-5558 ext. 4480 or
[email protected] Lori Betsock is a staff member of the Undergraduate Programs Office of the American Chemical Society, 1155 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036;
[email protected].
1256 Journal of Chemical Education • Vol. 84 No. 8 August 2007 • www.JCE.DivCHED.org
