New Journal Stars Teenagers - C&EN Global ... - ACS Publications

'N' ROLL notwithstanding, some of the buzzing coming from Colorado's teenage ... journal came from two University of Colorado undergraduates, Alex...
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EDUCATION New Journal Stars Teenagers Science a n d mathematics publication sional touch to high schoolers 7 projects JCvocK *N* ROLL notwithstanding, some of the buzzing coming from Colorado's teenage set concerns a new scientific journal that's designed especially for high school students. The High School Science and Mathematics Journal lias had only a pilot printing so far. But the people behind it are hoping that this issue will stir up enough interest in the state to put the journal on a regular publication schedule. And some h o p e the idea will spread to other states. Aim of the journal is to stimulate the interest of high school students in science and math research. The keynote is prestige. The student gets a chance to see his original effort in print. In his own words, he explains the aims and conclusions of his project; through the journal, his accomplishments become part of the world of science. The idea for the journal came from two University of Colorado undergraduates, Alex Hunter, Jr., and Robert Kretsinger. Their efforts in fanning interest in the plan reached the d e a n of the university, Dr. W. F. Dyde. Dr. Dyde called together members of his science and mathematics departments to discuss the possibilities of such a venture. From this discussion c a m e an advisory science committee to steer the journal's course. The committee selected Edwin M. Fields as editor. Mr. Fields is both a high school teacher in Boulder and assistant director of the Academic Year Institute Program a t the university. One of the biggest problems Mr. Fields and the committee faced was lack of money. The journal was not intended as a money-making v e n t u r e ; it was to be distributed without charge. Enter the Thorne Ecological Research Station, a nonprofit organization in Boulder. One of its aims is to further research and education. President Oakleigh Thorne, II, impressed with the journalistic idea, gave the university $500 to get the first issue to press. He also offered to support the journal i n the

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school under the guidance of their teachers. In soliciting papers, Mr. Fields sent requests to all student- who exhibited projects at the 1958 Colorado Science Fair. Submitted papers were screened and reviewed by the advisory science committee; Mr. Fields then edited them. T h e university's print shop handled the entire printing operation, using the Xerox method of duplicating to turn out the tightly bound 40 page issue. At present, the journal's future appears limited. Further issues depend mainly on whether some foundation larger than the Thorne Ecological Research Station feels the effort is worth supporting. Or an individual or some segment of industry might step in and assume the financial burden.

Fall Courses

Editor Edwin M. Fields . . least nth powers and cake baking . . future, if necessary, so that at least two issues a year may be published. T h e efforts of Mr. Fields, Dr. Thorne, and the science advisory committee resulted in a printing of 500 copies of the pilot issue. So far, only 100 copies have been mailed. These went to all students who submitted papers for the first issue of the journal. The next mailing will probably be made in October, says Mr. Fields. Copies will be sent to Colorado science teachers, libraries, and other interested parties. T h e pilot issue carries 11 papers. Topics range from "On the Least nth Power Residues with Prime Moduli" to "A Study of Physics Through Cake Baking." The latter work was done by a young girl determined to foster the distaff side in science. Excerpt: *T believe this [experiment] proves that there are ways in which a girl can use physics." A youth from Y^elsenburg, Colo., airs the history, properties, and metallurgy of selenium, caps his paper with a thorough discussion of the selenium problem: "Selenium in certain boiîb is assimilated by plants and presents a poison hazard to both man and animals." T h e papers in the pilot issue describe projects the students conducted in

• Management Development. Sept. 20 to 25. Syracuse University, Syracuse, X. Y. Minnowbrook Management Executive Development Seminar on wages, prices, profits, and economic growth. For middle management personnel . • High Polymers. Oct. 5 to 9. Pennsylvania State University, UniversityPark, Pa. A symposium for industrial and government technical personnel. • Organic Chemistry.

Oct. 6 to Dec.

S. Xorthwestern University, Evanston, 111. Lecture course presented by the university's chemistry department. • Chemical Process Design and Evaluation. Fall 1959. Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, X . J. A series of case studies presented by chemical industry executives and consultants. • Air Pollution. Fall 1959. The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia 3. Pa. Course, designed for Delaware Valley industrial personnel, runs one night a week for two semesters. • Occupational Skin Problems.

Oct.

26 to 30. Institute of Industrial Health, University of Cincinnati, Ohio. For physicians. • Air Pollution. Xov. 30 to Dec. 11. Xew York University Post-Graduate York 16, X. Y. Sources, Effects, and Control of Community Air Pollution. For engineers, industrial hygienists, and physicians. AUG.

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