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[email protected] C&EN Online: http://pubs.acs.org/cen EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Madeleine Jacobs MANAGING EDITOR: Rudy M. Baum ART DIRECTOR: Robin L. Braverman, Nathaniel Becker (Assistant Art Director) C&EN DESIGN by Mariana Ochs, modesign, New York SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Lois R. Ember NEWS EDITOR: Janice R, Long SPECIAL FEATURES EDITOR: Cetia M. Henry ONLINE EDITION: Melody Voith (Editor), Luis A. CarriUo (Editorial Assistant), Roxanna Y. Garcia (Intern) EDITOR-AT-LARGE: Michael Heylin CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Susan J. Ainsworth, K. M. Reese ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Patricia Oates PROGRAM ASSISTANT: Stephanie Wahl BUSINESS William J. Storck, Assistant Managing Editor NORTHEAST: (732) 906-8300. Michael McCoy {Senior Editor), Marc S. Reisch (Senior Correspondent), Alexander H. Tullo (Assistant Editor), Karen J. Watkins (Associate Editor), Rachel Eskenazi (Administrative Assistant). HOUSTON: (281) 486-3900. Ann M. Thayer (Bureau Head). HONG KONG: 852 2984 9072. Jean-Francois Tremblay (Bureau Head). LONDON: 44 20 8870 6884. Patricia L Short (Senior Correspondent) GOVERNMENT & POLICY David J. Hanson, Assistant Managing Editor WASHINGTON: (202) 872-4495. Bette Hiteman {Senior Editor), Cheryl Hogue (Senior Editor), Jeffrey W. Johnson (Senior Editor), William G. Schulz (Associate Editor) SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY/EDUCATION Pamela S. Zurer, Assistant Managing Editor WASHINGTON: (202) 872-4411. Stuart A. B.orma'n (Senior Correspondent), Mairin B. Brennan (Senior Editor), Doron Dagani (Senior Correspondent), RebeccaL. Rawls (Senior Correspondent), A. Maureen Rouhi (Senior Editor), Sophie L. Wilkinson (Associate Editor). NORTHEAST: (732) 906-8301. Stephen C. Stinson (Senior Editor). CHICAGO: (847) 679-1156, Mitch Jacoby (Associate Editor). WEST COAST: (510) 849-0575. Elizabeth K Wilson (Associate Editor). LONDON: 44 1256 811052. Michael Freemantle (Senior Editor) ACS NEWS Linda R. Raber (ACS News Editor), Kevin R.' MacDermott (Assistant Editor) EDITING & PRODUCTION Robin M. Giroux, Assistant Managing Editor Janet S. Dodd (Associate Editor), Arlene GoldbergGist (Associate Editor), Deanna Miller (Assistant Editor), Susan R. Morrissey (Assistant Editor), Stephen K. Ritter (Senior Editor), Diana L. Slade (Assistant Editor) PUBLISHING & CREATIVE SERVICES William R. Succolosky (Head), Linda Mattingly (Staff Artist). PRODUCTION & IMAGING: Vincent L Parker (Manager), Meltem Akbasli (Assistant) MARKETING MANAGER Scott Nathan ADVISORY BOARD Paul S. Anderson, Shenda M. Baker, Robert T. Betz, Ronald Breslow, Margaret A. Cavanaugh, Jean Chmielewski, Mark E. Davis, John R. Danzeisen, Earnest W. Deavenport Jr., Cynthia M. Friend, Lynn R. Goldman, Ryota Hamamoto, J. Roger Hirl, Nancy 8.Jackson, Cart A. Jennings, Robert L. Lichter, Chad A. Mirkin, James C. Mullen, Riccardo Pigliucci, David B. Price Jr., Douglas J. Raber, David R. Rea, Elsa Reichmanis, Mark C. Rohr, Richard R. Schrock, Ian Shott, Mary C. Wattham Published by AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY John Kistler Crum, Executive Director Robert 0. Bovenschutte, Director, Publications Division EDITORIAL BOARD Joan E. Shields (Chair); ACS Board of Directors Chair: Nina I. McClelland; ACS President: Attila E. Pavlath; four other members yet to be appointed. Copyright 2001, American Chemical Society Canadian GST Reg. No. R127571347 HTTP://PUBS.ACS.ORG/CEN
Make Time To Talk Up Chemistry Administration, as we saw last week, but delightful request one that I eagerly there is much that can be done without agreed to do despite a schedule—prob- waiting for Congress or the new President ably similar to yours—that is jam-packed. to act. Science teachers throughout the The school that my grandson attends asked nation need help: Don't wait for an invitame to talk to the students about science tion—contact your local school and offer and to the faculty and parents about get- to talk to the kids about what you do as a ting kids interested in science. It required chemist. The ACS Education Division has a commitment of an afternoon and part of a series of science kits for classroom use and also runs a program, "Kids & Cheman evening, but I couldn't say no. I probably would have said yes even if I istry," that helps prepare chemists to share had not just received several news releases hands-on science with school-age children from the National Science Teachers Asso- (see page 79). And there's more thatyou can do.Today ciation noting how important teacher professional development is in improving stu- fear of lawsuits has made chemistry sets dent performance. I probably would have much less interesting than they were said yes even if I had not just received Ter- decades ago, but nowwe have the Internet rific Science &Math, a newsletter from the to help kindle interest in chemistry among Center for Chemistry Education at Miami the young. As an American Chemical SociUniversity chock full of information for ety member, you know that C&EN Online teachers at all grade levels. And I probably is free to you. But did you know that the would have said yes even if I hadn't just re- public can also access many parts of this visited the ACS Education website and been websitefreeofcharge? Starting with C&EN reminded of all their wonderful resources Online's home page (http://pubs.acs.org/ cen), the cover story and lead News of the (http://wwwacs.org/education/). Exposing children to the excitement of Week story are available. Tuesday through chemistry biology physics, and yes, math, Friday, the public can log onto "C&EN is one of the surefire ways to get them Today" which provides apreview ofselected launched on a career in science. Ifyou need upcoming stories. convincing, you have only to read the Many articles on newsworthy topics vignettes that C&EN has been running of ranging from nanotechnology to agriculACS national award winners during Janu- tural biotechnology can be obtained by ary This week's installment is on page 42. clicking on Special Reports or Hot ArtiMany award winners developed their cles on the home page. The entire "What's interest in chemistry at a very young age- That Stuff?" site is accessible to the pubeither through exposure to a good teacher lic. These are delightful and informative or to a Gilbert chemistry set. Sometimes stories about the chemistry of commonthat interest came later. Susan S. Taylor of place items such as chocolate, lipstick, airthe University of California, San Diego, who craft deicers, and baseballs. Stories on the is this year's Francis P Garvan-JohnM. Olin types ofjobs chemists hold are also free. In medalist and a member ofboth the National all, there's alot about chemistry that would Academy of Sciences and the Institute of be of interest to teachers and to youngMedicine, says she wasn't planning on a sters in eighth grade and above. career or even a major in chemistry until In our busy, overcommitted lives, we she had a "wonderful teacher" her freshman each need to do our part to ensure that the year at the University ofWisconsin. best and brightest continue to choose sciTeachers do indeed have a major impact. ence as a career. So let me make this modCaltech's Harry Gray, who will receive the est suggestion: Be sure that teachers and George C. Pimentel Award in Chemical students in your local schools know about Education, is described as "having the the ACS Education Division resources and knack of making students rise to all they C&EN Online. Make time to tout the joys were capable of, all the while convincing and importance of chemistry to the kids them they were having fun." Stanford's and teachers in your life. I guarantee that Richard N. Zare, this year's Charles La- the payback will be worth the effort. throp Parsons Award winner, is also renowned not only for his research, but for nUMJk'injuyP^Jv*' his love of and commitment to teaching. Education is a top priority of the Bush Editor-in-chief
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ASTWEEK, I RECEIVED AN ABSOLUTELY
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2 9 , 2001
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