Secondary School Feature Articles

Artificial Glass--The Versatility of Poly(methyl methacrylate) from Its Early Exploitation to the New Millennium by Michael S. Chisholm, p 841.

Weak vs Strong Acids and Bases by Todd P. Silverstein, p 849.

Glass, What It Is and What It Is Not

Glass, as it is used in windows, drinking glasses, and light bulbs as well as a host of other manufactured items is a familiar substance to teacher and student alike. The chemistry of glass, however, is not always well understood and there are several widely held misconceptions about glass. This issue contains two interesting articles about glass. The first is titled "Glass--Sand + Imagination", by Kenneth E. Kolb and Doris K. Kolb (pp 812-816). It includes a brief history of glass, a summary of the classes of glass, and a discussion of methods of forming glass. Also discussed is information about special glasses, fiber optics, and art glass. The photographs of glass art shown on pages 815 and 816 provide an interesting interdisciplinary connection to chemistry.

Have you ever been told that very old glass windowpanes are thicker at the bottom than the top because glass flows? Have you ever told your students that? The article "Glass Doesn't Flow and Doesn't Crystallize and It Isn't a Liquid", by Stephen J. Hawkes (pp 846-848), explains this and other misconceptions about glass. In addition to being interesting to read, the article is well researched and documented with 27 literature citations.

A third article in this issue provides a readable and concise discussion of one of the most common substitutes for silica-based glass. Michael S. Chisholm's article is titled "Artificial Glass--The Versatility of Poly(methyl methacrylate) from Its Early Exploitation to the New Millennium". Students may know PMMA by one of the commercial trade names such as Plexiglas or Lucite. I found the article interesting in part because the commercial production of PPMA approximates my life span, meaning that it has been around for a long time, but new uses are being developed currently. If you include a discussion of polymers in your first- or second-year class I believe you will find this article a useful addition to your resource file.

New Software for Introductory Level Students

JCE Software's release of The General Chemistry Collection, 4th edition, CD-ROM for students is described on pp 934-936. This edition contains more than twenty Windows and Mac OS programs useful for teaching general chemistry. One of the Windows programs, INQUAL-S, simulates a sulfide-based inorganic qualitative analysis scheme. Except for smell, this interactive simulation provides a realistic experience with the observations, manipulation, and critical thinking involved in determining the identity of an unknown.

A Reminder: Registration for the 16th BCCE

Early registration for the 16th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education must be completed before July 1, 2000. If you are reading this on or after July 1, do not despair: late registration is only slightly more costly. In case you did not read the Conference Overview in the June issue of JCE (pp 697-698), the conference will be held at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, July 30-August 3, 2000. A rich program of workshops, symposia, plenary sessions, and general and special activities encompass much that will be of interest to high school teachers. Many sessions are targeted to and will be presented by high school teachers. If you have not attended a BCCE previously this is a good year to check it out. The organizers emphasize that this is a dynamic conference. Go to the Web site http://www.umich.edu/~bcce for an up-to-date schedule, more information, or to register.

Congratulations CMA Catalyst Award Winners

If you have doubts about high school teacher involvement in BCCE, turn to the announcement on page 827, where you will find that the High School CMA Catalyst Award winner for 2000 is Tim Graham. Congratulations, Tim! In addition to his teaching responsibilities at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte, MI, Tim has been diligently working for many months as Secondary School Program Chair for the 16th BCCE. Don't miss participating in all the great opportunities at the conference that Tim has planned for you.

Congratulations also to the Pre-High School Winner, Karl Beighley, to the Regional High School Winner, Mary Frances Aumiller, and to the regional Pre-High School Winner, Elisabeth M. Price.

Another Outstanding Event to Put on Your Calendar

If you teach within convenient traveling distance of Washington, DC, mark Monday, August 21, 2000, on your calendar now. That is the date of the High School Day program that will be held in conjunction with the 181st ACS National Meeting. The chair of the High School Day Program is Rick Reeves, Science Department Chair at DeMatha Catholic High School, Hyattsville, MD. Rick has worked hard to arrange an outstanding program. More information about the High School Day Program will be published in the August issue of JCE, but watch for announcements in your area.