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Message from the Chairman I am pleased to have this opportunity to share with you a few of my concerns and goals as chairman of the ACS Division of Chemical Education for 1981. What follows are ideas and sueeestions which I houe will he discussed. debated. and acted upon by members of the chemical education community. Since most, if not all, of you are fimitiar with the mission and numerous offerings of the Division, I will only list the five most visible activities. They are: publication of the Journal of Chemical Education; development of a wide variety of chemistry examinations (the so-called "ACS exams") a t the secondary school, college, and graduate levels; programs a t national and regional ACS meetings; sponsorship of national and international conferences; and, most recently, initiatives related to high school chemistry. Several committees and task forces work bn additional, specific projects. We are essentially a volunteer organization whose success d e ~ e n dsolelv s on the talents and efforts of individuals dedicated to enhancing the quality and scope of chemical education. The Division offers a framework to initiate. develoo. .,and implement creative ideas. The enthusiasm and vigor of younger members of the chemical education community can benefit a great deal from the wisdom and counsel of more experienced members. That is why I call on you to join us in achieving our present goals and in setting new ones. I know we are all busy with heavy teaching loads and other responsibilities, hut each of us must find time to contemplate and review our commitment to chemistry and chemical education. If you decide to join us in pursuing any of our current activities or if you wish to propose new initiatives, feel free to write me. I will resoond to all communications and inouiries and will see to it that your views are channeled to appropriate officers and -erouos . of the Division. Your involvement is vital to the expansion and successful implementation of a variety of significant activities. My goal in outlining the following concerns is simply to focus attention on each topic in order to initiate or continue debate. By far, the single most important concern I have is the curriculum. Advances in chemical sciences over the past 20 years necessitate careful scrutiny of what we offer a t the secondary school level, the college level, and the graduate level. Statements of purpose for thecurriculum a t eaihlevel should he articulated. Simply continuing what we are doing without a clear understanding of why we are doing it and a commitment to its continuation is not a responsible act on our Dart. At the graduate 11.wI.11111101. reiear~hd( p:irtuwnt> p r w i d ~ Ieadrrshi~~ in trir~ninrl'hl) .,.ivnri.;ti lor uursuinrc indu.;tri;~l and academic careers. Advances in instrumeniation and computation continue to he readily incorporated into graduate research activities, and solutions to complex scientific and technological problems are continually sought through new directions and dimensions. The quality of research progress will continue to depend on the ingenuity of researchers and -v
the financial support of government and the private sector. Strengthening and expanding academic-industrial links will he a mutual, beneficial and rewarding goal. At the college level we should examine carefully the dangerous trend of eliminating laboratory experience from the first term course. Avoarentlv. .. .. this trend is based more on economic reasons than pedagogic ones. Cost of chemicals and eauiument as well as availahilitv of qualified instructors are v&Gignificant factors. We should be deliberate and courageous as we make necessary adjustments to economic changes. Nevertheless, the integrity of our academic offerings must not be compromised. On the positive side, I find the present interest in descriptive chemistry to he refreshing. I hope that what we mean by descriptive chemistry will soon he articulated and incorporated into the curriculum. At the secondary school level, we should look carefully a t the various anoroaches of CHEM Studv. CBA. IAC. and .. otlicrs t u drrt.rnii~~e ii they art. i t ~ l lsuitnlh lor u-r i l l rlii. decade. \\'t, should cvn.;idt.r c:~rcrullyrhr I urr~a.ulrrnn.11.; l rtwut i n i t i ; ~ t i v v : 8 i the IXvisitm and th? S ~ ~ cfor ~ icn td ~ ~ d nhigh i g s,.h a ,icniti
