in this issue Nuclear Chemistry: State of the Art for Teachers Introduction to the Symposium In August of 1992, Alan Campbell Ling and I organized a Symposium entitled "Pre-College Education in the Nuclear Sciences" which was held a t the 204th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Washington, DC. At this Symposium we became aware that the nuclear sciences are being taught in a variety of settings across the country but that the curricula which are commonly used in America's classrooms are somewhat dated. There is little usage of the newer nuclear topics such a s nuclear astronomy, fusion reactors, radioactive waste and modem nuclear structure. For a complete synthesis of this Symposium, I refer t h e interested reader to the Journal of Radioanalytical a n d Nuclear Chemistry [1993, 171(1), 237-2441, This experience convinced me that a number one priority for nuclear science education in the United States was a modernization of the curriculum. Consequently, plans were begun for this latest symposium. The Symposium "Nuclear Chemistry-State of the Art for Teachers" was held a t the 207th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Diego, CA on Sunday, March 13, 1994. The papers attempt to address the most recent discoveries in a variety of new nuclear fields. Eric N o r m a n (page 813) discusses nuclear phenomena in stars. Torkil Jensen (page 820) describes the present status of nuclear fus~onresearch. Larry Robinson and D. H. Brown (page 8241talk about neutron activation analy-
812
Journal of Chemical Education
sis. G r e g Choppin (page 826) details recent discoveries in nuclear waste and P u chemistry. Tim McCarthy, Sally Schwarz, and Michael Welch (page 830) give us an overview of nuclear medicine and positron emission tomography Steve Yates (page 837) discusses our most recent understanding of nuclear structure and shapes. Victor Viola (page 840) provides a method of teaching nuclear science using cosmology a s a basis. And finally, Charles Atwood (page 845) details a long list of teaching resources that can be used in the classroom. Each of these papers, except for Dr. Robinson's, was given a t the Symposium in San Diego. Dr. Robinson was unable to attend because of some last minute problems. J o e P e t e r s o n was the Symposium Chair and Co-organizer. I would like to acknowledge the support of the American Chemical Society's Divisions of Chemical Education and Nuclear Chemistry and Technology for their gracious financial help. Mercer University and my secretary, Johanne Dattilo, have been lifesavers in helping me to muscle my way through this Symposium. And finally, Barbara Sawrey was one of the early inspirations for this Syrnposium and helped me get through some of the ticklish parts of organizing a symposium. Thanks to each and everyone of you. Charles H. Atwood, Co-organizer
Mercer University Macon. GA 31207
