Connections to Chemistry ACS

Chemistry for Life

Burlington High School

Burlington, Massachusetts

October 24, 2011

Sponsored by the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society

The American Chemical Society and The Northeastern Section

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is the largest scientific organization in the world that is devoted to a single discipline, namely chemistry, with more than 160,000 members at all degree levels. Among its members are teachers that span the entire spectrum of chemical education: high schools, two- and four-year colleges, and research universities. The specific interests of the members of the ACS are reflected in the activities of the 33 technical divisions, such as the divisions of Organic Chemistry, Biological Chemistry, Computers in Chemistry, Chemical Education, and the History of Chemistry. For more information, visit the ACS website at http://www.acs.org. Membership in the Division of Chemical Education (DivCHED) is open to anyone who has an interest in chemical education, including those who teach chemistry in high schools, community colleges, four-year colleges and universities. Membership also includes chemists in industry, government, and foundations. DivCHED together with the ACS copublishes the Journal of Chemical Education, which is a monthly scholarly journal for all teachers of chemistry, from K16 and beyond. In addition, DivCHED offers programs for teachers and students to further enhance the learning of chemistry and the future of the profession. Both ACS members and non-members can join DivCHED for $20/year; see the DivCHED website (http://www.divched.org) for details. The ACS has more than 180 local sections, of which the Northeastern Section (NESACS) is one of the largest, with almost 7,000 members encompassing Eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire. NESACS holds monthly meetings and offers a wide range of technical and social programs for younger chemists, retirees, and all those in between. The Education Committee of NESACS sponsors programs for high school and college students, and programs for chemistry teachers and others who have an interest in chemical education. If you wish to be informed about NESACS meetings and activities by e-mail, visit the NESACS website (http://www.nesacs.org) for more information.

Program Schedule
3:30-4:00 PM Registration and Refreshments Main Lobby, Burlington High School Welcome, Overview, and Review of the Sessions (Auditorium) Marietta Schwartz, Chair, Education Committee, NESACS Associate Dean, College of Science and Mathematics, UMass Boston Steve Lantos, Chair, High School Education Committee, NESACS Chemistry Teacher, Brookline (MA) High School 4:30-6:10 PM Four Simultaneous Workshops in Two Sessions Session I: 4:30-5:15 PM; Session II: 5:20-6:10 PM Workshop A: Artificial Photosynthesis A Workshop in Solar Cell Design (Room 172) Dr. Jonathan Rochford and Mr. Joseph Harney, University of Massachusetts Boston Workshop B: What is a learning progressions perspective and what do the new Framework for K-12 Science Education and Next Generation Science Standards mean for teaching high school chemistry? (Room 173) Dr. Hannah Sevian, University of Massachusetts Boston Workshop C: Using the Molecular Workbench for Inquiry at the Atomic Level (Room 177) Mr. Dan Damelin, Curriculum & Technology Development, The Concord Consortium Workshop D: pH and Its Effect on the Human Body & the Environment (Room 176) Dr. Jack Driscoll, Mgr. of Marketing & Technology, PID Analyzers, LLC 6:15-6:55 PM 7:00-7:45 PM Dinner (High School Cafeteria) Keynote Address (Lower Library) CHEMISTRY AND SOCIETY CONNECTIONS: Looking Back, Looking Around, Looking Ahead" Dr. Bassam Shakhashiri, University of Wisconsin Madison and ACS President-Elect 4:00-4:25 PM

Keynote Address
Dr. Bassam Shakhashiri

Bassam Z. Shakhashiri is the first holder of the William T. Evjue Distinguished Chair for the Wisconsin Idea at UW-Madison. He is well known internationally for his effective leadership in promoting excellence in science education at all levels, and for his development and use of demonstrations in the teaching of chemistry in classrooms as well as in less formal settings, such as museums, convention centers, shopping malls and retirement homes. The Encyclopedia Britannica sites him as the "dean of lecture demonstrators in America." His scholarly publications, including the multi-volume series, Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry, are models of learning and instruction that have been translated into several languages. He is an advocate for policies to advance knowledge and to use science and technology to serve society. He promotes the exploration and establishment of links between science, the arts and the humanities, and the elevation of discourse on significant societal issues related to science, religion, politics, the economy, and ethics. Professor Shakhashiri is the 2011 President-Elect of the American Chemical Society, and will serve one-year terms as president in 2012 and immediate past president in 2013.

CHEMISTRY AND SOCIETY CONNECTIONS: Looking Back, Looking Around, Looking Ahead
As we get ready to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the Morrill Land Grant Act in 2012 I shall reflect on the contributions of chemistry and chemists to society and discuss the great potential and challenges facing society. Chemistry brings a wide range of goods and functions to everyone and thus is vital to our democracy. Our research and our technology can provide clean water and nutritious food, meet energy demands, and help lead to sustainable development everywhere. And, just as important, chemists can help society develop the will to improve the quality of life on the planet.

Workshop A: Page 6

W o r k s h o p s

Artificial Photosynthesis A Workshop in Solar Cell Design

Workshop B: Page 7

What is a learning progressions perspective and what do the new Framework for K-12 Science Education and Next Generation Science Standards mean for teaching high school chemistry?
Workshop C: Page 8

Using the Molecular Workbench for Inquiry at the Atomic Level

Workshop D: Page 9

pH and Its Effect on the Human Body & the Environment

Workshop A: Artificial Photosynthesis A Workshop in Solar Cell Design

Dr. Jonathan Rochford and Mr. Joseph Harney, University of Massachusetts Boston
This workshop will discuss recent advances in chemistry inspired by natural photosynthesis from a fundamental perspective. Participants will conduct a laboratory session to apply some of these new technologies. The laboratory session will involve the fabrication and evaluation of a dye-sensitized solar cell. Here focus will be on the harvesting of solar energy (dye function), charge separation (photocurrent) and voltage optimization (semiconductors and electrochemistry).Selected References http://alpha.chem.umb.edu/faculty/rochford/index.php

Workshop B: What is a learning progressions perspective and what do the new Framework for K-12 Science Education and Next Generation Science Standards mean for teaching high school chemistry?
Dr. Hannah Sevian, University of Massachusetts Boston Participants in this workshop will engage in a structured and collaborative introduction to the new Framework for K-12 Science Education released by the National Research Council in July 2011. Participants will also gain some insight into what learning progressions are, and how a learning progressions perspective underlies the new Framework and the work that Achieve, Inc., has now begun on developing the Next Generation Science Standards. The workshop will focus on core ideas, scientific practices, and cross-cutting science themes in the Framework that are related to chemistry concepts, in order to illustrate how the larger Framework will be able to guide instruction, curriculum, and assessment as the new Standards movement advances.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13165

Workshop C: : Using the Molecular Workbench for Inquiry at the Atomic Level
Mr. Dan Damelin, The Concord Consortium This workshop will introduce teachers to the Molecular Workbench (MW), a free software application that has been developed over the past 10 years with support from the National Science Foundation. MW supports both the use of pre-designed computer models for teaching multiple topics in chemistry, biology, and physics, and is a user friendly environment for students and teachers to generate their own models. Through the use of dynamic models students can explore the atomic and molecular world using an inquiry approach. Embedded assessments help teachers understand the state of student understanding when using modelbased materials. At this workshop teachers will explore some of the existing materials, get a free CD, and hear about some of the research results from classes incorporating MW into its curricula. (MW is cross-platform and will work with Windows, OS X, and Linux. Teachers are welcome to bring their own laptops, but will also have access to computers provided at the workshop.)
http://www.concord.org http://mw.concord.org

Workshop D: pH and Its Effect on the Human Body & the Environment
Dr. Jack Driscoll, Mgr. of Marketing & Technology, PID Analyzers, LLC A very critical yet simple measurement for chemical analysis is pH which determines how acidic or basic a substance is. The pH of the human body is 7.35+/- 0.1. A shift of a few tenths of a pH unit can adversely affect the health of a human body. Access to safe drinking water is essential to human health. Each person on Earth requires at least 20 to 50 liters of clean, safe water a day for drinking, cooking, and simply keeping themselves clean. If the pH of lakes or streams is too acidic (<pH 5.0), fish reproduction can be affected. If tap water is too acidic, heavy metals (such as lead from lead pipes) can be introduced into the drinking water. Experiments for students can include measuring samples of lake or pond water, rain water, food, saliva,. pH meters or even pH paper can be used for demonstrations. Demonstration of pH meter & need for calibration. Demonstration: a simple water cleanup procedure for 3rd world countries.

Celebrate National Chemistry Week 2011! Theme: ChemistryOur Health, Our Future!

October 16-22, 2011

Chemistry is everywhere and is important to our health. Whether its the medicines that make us well, to the hygiene products that keep us clean, and even the vitamins and minerals that supplement our diets. Chemistry is involved in maintaining our health and future. This years theme explores these concepts and gives us the opportunity to highlight many achievements in the health field where the transforming power of chemistry is displayed. Community Event: Health Drive K-12 Contest: The National Illustrated Poem Contest is focused on Wheres the Chemistry? The illustrated poems relate to common applications of chemistry that people might not normally think is related to chemistry. ChemMatters: ChemMatters, a magazine for high school students, will devote its October issue to National Chemistry Week. Celebrating Chemistry: This National Science Education Standards-aligned hands-on activity newspaper for elementary school students will highlight: The importance of healthy eating and staying active An overview of medicines and how they are developed The importance of handwashing and proper handwashing technique Each year National Chemistry Week reaches millions of people with positive messages about the contributions of chemistry.

Join in the celebration of NCW 2011! Visit www.acs.org/ncw for more information.

National Chemistry Week is a program of the American Chemical Societys Office of Volunteer Support

American Chemical Society 1155 Sixteenth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 T [800] 227 5558 F [202] 872 4353 www.acs.org/ncw

10

NESACS National Chemistry Week Events

Celebrating ChemistryOur Health, Our Future! October 16-22, 2011 October 23, 2010 Museum of Science Boston
Phyllis A. Brauner Memorial Lecture by Dr. Bassam Shakhashiri
Dr. Bassam Shakhashiri is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of WisconsinMadison and is the William T. Evjue Distinguished Chair for the Wisconsin Idea. Professor Shakhashiri has captivated audiences with his scientific demonstrations at a variety of locations including Bostons Museum of Science, the National Academy of Sciences and the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Taking place in Cahners Theatre (2nd floor, Blue Wing) at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Admission to the museum is required. Free tickets to Dr. Shakhashiris show will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Tickets are available via advance reservation. To reserve tickets, please contact the NESACS secretary either via email secretary@nesacs.org (preferred) or by phone 1-781-272-1966 before October 20, 2011. Tickets will be available for pick-up in the lobby of the museum at the ACS table.

Kicking off National Chemistry Week 2011 festivities

Join us in a variety of hands-on activities related to the yearly theme, taking place from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm on October 23, 2011 throughout the Museum.

October 29, 2011 Boston Childrens Museum

From 11 am 4 pm, NCW volunteers will be on-hand throughout the museum to perform demonstrations and assist in hands-on activities related to the yearly theme.

11

IYC 2011
What is IYC?
The International Year of Chemistry 2011 is a United Nations designated worldwide celebration of the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humankind. The IYC 2011 initiative is being led by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). IYC 2011 will offer a range of interactive, entertaining, and educational activities for all ages across the globe aligned with the following objectives: Increase the public appreciation of chemistry in meeting world needs Increase interest of young people in chemistry Generate enthusiasm for the creative future of chemistry Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Mme. Marie Curie Nobel Prize

Join the Movement!

Get involved, educate and captivate a wide variety of audiences about the transforming power of chemistry! Resources include: Outreach Activities and resources at www.acs.org/iyc2011 aligned with four quarterly themes: environment, energy, materials and health. IYC Grant Programs for ACS High School Chemistry Clubs, ACS Local Sections, and ACS Student Chapters Online toolkits at www.acs.org/iyc2011 featuring ideas, templates, and resources to support IYC plans

Spread the Word!

Communicate chemistry - its creative future and the role it plays in improving all of our lives. 365: Chemistry for Life: our web-initiative designed to highlight everyday chemistry every day! Starting January 1, 2011! ACS Publications such as ChemMatters and C&EN will include IYC information ACS Network: Join the IYC Group it is easy and free!

Get Involved Now!

2011 is just around the corner; its not too early to plan your year! 1. Spread the Word: Get the word out about IYC 2011 in your school, workplace and community 2. Subscribe to the IYC Bulletin: Stay current on all things IYC at ACS! Email iyc2011@acs.org to sign up. 3. Plan your IYC activities: Decide how you want to celebrate IYC 2011; let us know through the IYC Group on the Network or at iyc2011@acs.org.

12

Welcome, filmmakers and friends.

The Chemical Heritage Foundation has launched Its Elemental, a national video competition for U.S. high-school students, to celebrate the International Year of Chemistry 2011. To enter, submit a short video inspired by an element, and CHF will post your entry to this online, interactive periodic table. More than 1,000 students from 36 states submitted nearly 700 videos to Its Elemental. Congratulations to all the participants! To view the videos, go to the link below: http://www.chemheritage.org/discover/chemistry-in-history/its-elemental/index.aspx

13

Ashdown Exam
The Ashdown High School Chemistry Examination Contest is an annual event sponsored by the NESACS. Each high school in the Northeastern Section may be represented by a maximum of five (5) participants selected by their school or teachers. (One alternate may be named on the registration form, but only five students will be tested.) Winners of cash awards and honorable mention awards in previous years are not eligible to compete for Ashdown recognition; however, they may compete to become eligible for the Olympiad Examination. Cash awards will be given to the students with the top five (5) scores. Honorable mention awards will be given to five (5) first-year and five (5) second-year students with the next highest scores. In addition, each winning student will be invited, along with his/her teacher, to be guests of the Northeastern Section at its May dinner meeting and will be given appropriate recognition. Top scorers in the Ashdown Examination will be eligible to take the qualifying exam for the Unites States Chemistry Olympiad Team. Addition details can be found in the information packet, available at http://www.nesacs.org/education_ashdown.html.

This years Ashdown Exam is tentatively scheduled to take place on the first Saturday in April. Please contact the NESACS Secretary, Anna Singer (secretary@nesacs.org) after the first of the year for more information.

14

NESACS Section Affiliates

Did You Know?

$20 will buy you a NESACS Section Affiliate membership, including a years subscription to The Nucleus, the sections monthly publication!

Thank You!

15

We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the following organizations and individuals for their support of the 2011 Connections to Chemistry program. We would like to extend our special thanks to Burlington High School for hosting this program. Program Conference Committee Marietta Schwartz, Chair, Education Committee, NESACS; University of Massachusetts Boston Ruth Tanner, Chair-Elect, NESACS; University of Massachusetts Lowell Mort Hoffman, Board of Directors, NESACS; Professor Emeritus, Boston University Steve Lantos, Chair, High School Education Committee, NESACS; Chemistry Faculty, Brookline (MA) High School Planning and Program Associates Christine Jaworek-Lopes, Chair, National Chemistry Week, NESACS; Emmanuel College Peter Nassiff, Head, Science Division, Burlington High School Patrick Gordon, Chair, NESACS; Emmanuel College Material Assistance Anna Singer, Secretary, NESACS Robin Giroux, Assistant Managing Editor, C&E News, for Chemical & Engineering News Marjorie Rawle Jones, Manager, Printing & Distribution, ACS Publications, for Journal of Chemical Education Krystal Cannon, ACS Office of Society Services, for ChemMatters Publicity Support New England Association of Chemistry Teachers (NEACT) Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society (NESACS) The Nucleus (NESACS)

16

Registered Schools
As of October 11, 2011.
Berwick Academy Billerica Memorial High School Boston Latin Academy Canton High School Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall Concord High School Cumberland High School Danvers High School Fellowship Christian Academy Holliston High School John Stark Regional High School LAB Safety Institute Londonderry High School Lynnfield High School Malden High School Manchester Central High School Manchester High School West Methuen High School Nashoba Valley Technical High School Nashua High School Nashua High School South Newton North High School North Quincy High School Oliver Amers High School Pembroke Academy Pentucket Regional High School Presentation of Mary Academy Quinebaug Valley Community College Rhode Island College Seekonk High School Sharon High School Sparkhawk School Taber Academy Westborough High School

17

Notes

Notes