News from Journal House

ChemEd Digital Library Update

Noodling with Moodle

Moodle is an open source classroom management system. At the Chemical Education Digital Library (ChemEd DL) we’re using it to host a number of courses. Lately our Moodle Web page is becoming a hot bed of activity. The ChemEd DL Moodle has blossomed from one course that teaches workshop participants about the resources available in the ChemEd DL and how to use them, into 6 courses, all focused in some way on chemical education.

One of our newest, open enrollment courses is Exploring the ChemEd DL. This course highlights ChemEd DL resources to teach a certain topic. There are currently two topics covered, one focusing on the biochemistry of taste the other focusing on the hydrophobic effect and applications to protein folding. This course will continue to grow with new learning packages on different topics added periodically.

Currently in development are two courses that may be of interest to readers. One will help people who wish to publish in the Journal of Chemical Education. It will give authors the guidelines for publishing as well as advice on how to select appropriate topics and write them up effectively. A second course under development will help guide people in the development of local workshops about the ChemEd DL. It will give course members ideas about recruiting participants to their own local workshops on the ChemEd DL as well as ideas about what to cover and how to cover it.

We welcome new course instructors at any time. If you would like to use the ChemEd DL’s software and server to host your own course please contact us.

Awards Announced

2008 IUPAC Prizes for Young Chemists

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) has announced the winners of the 2008 IUPAC Prizes for Young Chemists awarded for the best Ph.D. theses in the chemical sciences as described in 1000-word essays. The five winners and their descriptive essays are listed below; their essays appear on the IUPAC Web (accessed May 2008)

• Emilie V. Banide, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. From Allenes to Tetracenes: Syntheses, Structures and Reactivity of the Intermediates
• Christopher Thomas Rodgers, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom. Magnetic Field Effects in Chemical Systems
• Akinori Saeki, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan. Nanometer-Scale Dynamics of Charges Generated by Radiations in Condensed Matter
• Andrea Rae Tao, University of California, Berkeley, CA. Nanocrystal Assembly for Bottom-Up Plasmonic Materials
• Scott Warren, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Nanoparticle-Block Copolymer Self-Assembly

The winners will each receive a cash prize of $1000 and a free trip to the IUPAC Congress, August 2–7, 2009, in Glasgow, Scotland. Each prizewinner will also be invited to present a poster at the IUPAC Congress describing his/her award winning work and to submit a short critical review on aspects of their research topics to be published in Pure and Applied Chemistry. The awards will be presented to the winners of the 2008 and 2009 prizes during the Opening Ceremony of the Congress.

Applications for the 2009 prizes are now being solicited, as described on the IUPAC Web site (accessed May 2009).

Award Deadlines

Deadlines: 2010 ACS Awards

The American Chemical Society has announced the deadlines and qualifications for its 2010 awards,. Among these are some of particular interest to those in chemical education. The deadline for all nominating materials is November 1, 2008. (The 2009 awardees will be announced in September 2008.) Each award recipient is required to appear in person at the spring ACS awards banquet to receive the award and to deliver an award address on the work that is being recognized at the Spring National Meeting. More information about ACS awards may be found on the ACS Web site (accessed May 2008); select Funding & Awards, > Awards > National Award .

2010 ACS George C. Pimentel Award in Chemical Education

The American Chemical Society solicits nominations for this award in chemistry education. A nominee must have made outstanding contributions to chemical education considered in its broadest meaning, including the training of professional chemists; the dissemination of reliable information about chemistry to prospective chemists, members of the profession, students in other fields, and the general public; and the integration of chemistry into our educational system. The activities recognized by the award may be in the fields of teaching (at any level), organization and administration, influential writing, educational research, the methodology of instruction, the establishment of standards of instruction, and public enlightenment. Preference will be given to U.S. citizens.

The award consists of $5,000, a certificate, and a plaque. The awardee will be reimbursed for travel, lodging, and meal expenses associated with attending the Spring 2010 ACS National Meeting in San Francisco.

2010 ACS James Bryant Conant Award in High School Chemistry Teaching

The American Chemical Society solicits nominations for this award to recognize, encourage, and stimulate outstanding teachers of high school chemistry in the United States, its possessions or territories, at the national level. The nominee must be actively engaged in the teaching of chemistry in a high school (grades 9–12). The nomination should clearly demonstrate as many of the following attributes of the nominee as possible.

1. Quality of teaching (unusually effective methods of presentation should be emphasized)
2. Ability to challenge and inspire students
3. Extracurricular work in chemistry including science fairs, science clubs, and activities that stimulate the interest of young people in chemistry and related sciences
4. Willingness to keep up-to-date in the field, as evidenced by pursuit of a higher degree in chemistry, enrollment in refresher courses and summer institutions, regular attendance at scientific meetings, and other means of self-improvement

The award consists of $5,000, a certificate, and a plaque. The awardee will be reimbursed for travel, lodging, and meal expenses associated with attending the Spring 2010 ACS National Meeting in San Francisco. Each award recipient is required to appear in person at the spring ACS awards banquet to receive the award and to deliver an award address on the work that is being recognized at the Spring National Meeting. Thermo Fisher Scientific is sponsoring this award.

2010 ACS Award for Achievement in Research for the Teaching and Learning of Chemistry

The American Chemical Society solicits nominations for this award in chemistry education research. This purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding contributions to experimental research that have increased our understanding of chemical pedagogy and led to improved teaching and learning of chemistry. Researchers who have made contributions in several topics of chemistry education, rather than in a single project or contribution, are good candidates for this award. This is an international award.

The award honors qualitative, quantitative, experimental research or case study research that investigates some aspect of the teaching and learning of chemistry over the candidate’s career. Evidence of outstanding research may include, but is not limited to, dissemination of the results of the research via appropriate peer reviewed science education, chemical education, or science journals; chapters in science education, chemical education, or science books; invited talks at academic institutions; and or invited talks, posters, workshops, and participation in panel discussions at professional meetings.

The award consists of $5,000, a certificate, and a plaque. The awardee will be reimbursed for travel, lodging, and meal expenses associated with attending the Spring 2010 ACS National Meeting in San Francisco. Pearson Education is sponsoring this award.

Courses, Seminars, Meetings, Opportunities

Social Event: ACS National Meeting, Philadelphia DivCHED Reception

At the Fall ACS Meeting in Philadelphia, the Division will have social reception on Sunday August 17, 2008, 5–7 p.m. at a location to be announced. No ticket will be required for this event. There will be east coast hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. There will be brief introductions of Division Officers and of the winner of the DivCHED Golden Apple award. Co-sponsors of this event are Cengage Learning, the ACS DivCHED Examinations Institute, and the Journal of Chemical Education. Live music will be provided. Further details will be available on the Division’s Web site (accessed May 2008).

Gordon Research Conference

It is not too early to think about attending the Gordon Research Conference on Chemical Education Research and Practice to be held June 21–26, 2009 at Colby College, Waterville, Maine. The purpose of the GRC:CERP is to establish and maintain good, direct communication between chemical educators who have common professional interests. The Gordon Research Conferences promote discussions and the free exchange of ideas at the research frontiers of the field. This limited-enrollment international conference features 22 invited speakers. Some speakers are engaged in research on student learning, curriculum, assessments, laboratory instruction, the use of technology, and problem solving. Other are engaged in implementing innovative teaching techniques in their classrooms. The unique Gordon Conference format of off-the-record presentations; in-depth small group discussion and question and answer sessions; common residence, common mealtimes; single session presentations in the morning and evening with afternoons free for participant directed activities; and fun evening poster presentations/social sessions provides substantial opportunity for challenging intellectual discussion and professional networking. Tom Greenbowe, Iowa State University, and Marcy Towns, Purdue University, are the conference Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively. Information regarding the on-line application process, conference program, travel, and the conference site will be posted over the next three months at the Gordon Conference Web site (accessed May 2008).

Vernier Summer Workshops

A series of summer workshops for science educators that focus on hand-held data collection technology are being sponsored by Vernier Software & Technology. See below for more information or go to the Vernier Web site (accessed May 2008).

General Hands-On Summer Workshops

Participants will investigate how they can use data-collection technology with LabQuest handhelds, TI graphing calculators, and computers; adaptable to the middle or high school science classroom. Each workshop lasts approximately six hours and includes lunch and lab handouts. Cost is $99; offered in 14 locations across the U.S.

AP Chemistry Workshops

Vernier and Flinn Scientific are the joint hosts of these workshops where attendees experience 22 experiments that are recommended for students by the College Board. AP Chemistry Workshops (as well as Biology/AP Biology and Hands-On Physics Workshops) are held over two days and include lunch. Cost is $149; offered in Baltimore, MD; Chicago, IL; and San Diego, CA.

Elementary Science Workshop

Workshops that investigate using software in elementary classrooms will take place in Boston, MA. They will last six hours and include lunch and handouts; cost is $99.

Virtual Tour, Modern Chemistry Facility

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) has posted a video tour of a modern day chemistry facility. The video tour will provide viewers with an inside look into the operation of ACC member facilities and answer questions about the industry.

“Many people have preconceived notions of what goes on inside a chemistry plant although they haven’t been inside one,” said Jack Gerard, President and CEO of ACC. “This video allows visitors to tour a facility so they can get a clear picture of a typical plant. Viewers will be able to see the environmental, health, safety and security measures our member facilities have implemented and how the products they make are essential to our everyday lives.”

The video tour allows viewers to explore the inside of chemistry facilities and discover how clean, safe, and modern they are and also how workers, community, and consumers benefit. “Visitors will see first-hand that the safety and security of its workers and host communities is a top priority for American chemistry. The safeguards that ACC members put in place have resulted in a worker safety record more than five times better than the U.S. manufacturing average. In addition, ACC members have voluntarily invested nearly $5 billion to enhance security at their facilities.

Viewers will see that today’s facilities help the environment and contribute to a stronger America. Through efficient construction and the use of renewable solar and wind energy, the chemistry industry has made a concerted effort to reduce its energy consumption. As a result, chemistry plants have reduced emissions—of six criteria air pollutants—by over 43 percent in the last two decades and improved energy efficiency by 51 percent since 1974, and 27 percent since 1990.

To view the plant tour, please visit the ACC Web site (accessed May 2008).

Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign

The American Chemical Society (ACS) has recently partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in an effort to create healthier school environments for K–12 students and personnel. By joining this alliance ACS intends to support the goals of the Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3), which are to: remove accumulations of unnecessary chemicals from schools; facilitate implementation of responsible chemical management practices; and raise awareness of the potential risks to students and school personnel created by mismanaged chemicals. Chemicals, when used responsibly, enable students to make scientific discoveries, create works of art, and develop vocational skills. However when chemicals are improperly stored, outdated, unknown, or unnecessary, they can create serious health and safety problems for students and school staff. As an SC3 Partner, ACS intends to promote responsible chemical management in K–12 schools, inform ACS members of volunteer opportunities on the local level, and promote green chemistry within the K–12 curriculum as a long-term strategy to create healthier school environments.

To launch this new effort, the ACS Committee on Chemical Safety is organizing a symposium on “Helping Your Local School District Effectively Manage Chemical Risk and Disposal” during the upcoming ACS National Meeting in Philadelphia. This symposium will take place on Sunday, August 17, 1–4 p.m. in the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The SC3 symposium is sponsored by the Division of Chemical Health and Safety and co-sponsored by the Division of Chemical Education. Teachers, school district science coordinators, higher education chemistry faculty members, and all ACS members with an interest in their local schools are invited to attend to discuss ways of supporting the SC3 initiative. For more information about the SC3 program, please contact Marta Gmurczyk.

Hach Scientific Foundation (HSF) News

HSF has launched a new outreach opportunity for all high school chemistry teachers across the country—chemistry instruction enhancement grants of up to $1500 per teacher. The deadline for 2008–2009 applications has passed, but you can be ready for next year by checking details on the Hach Web site (accessed May 2008).

HSF provides scholarships at 71 partnered universities across the U.S. for students who are chemistry majors pursuing teaching. Additional information about HSF as well as a copy of its most recent Newsletter may be found at its Web site (accessed May 2008).