News from Journal House

Handbook for Teaching Assistants: Revised Edition

A revised and updated version of our Handbook for Teaching Assistants is now off the press. The TA Handbook has seen many editions and has been used and relied upon for many years. It is an invaluable reference and how-to guide, whether you have two or 200 teaching assistants, whether they are graduate students or advanced undergraduates, whether you have a formal TA training program or not.

The Handbook includes sage advice, such as this quote from Carl (Speed) Marvel:

Teach the class you have,
not the one you would like to teach.

Start with what the class knows,
not with what you think it should know.

as well as updated information and guidance related to teaching today’s undergraduates:

• Your Role, Your Students
• Discussion Classes
• Writing a Quiz
• Laboratory Classes
• Academic Dishonesty
• Teaching and the Electronic Frontier
• Teaching Training Program
• Bibliography
• Concluding Remarks
• Check List, Responsibilities of Teaching Assistants
• Check List, Responsibilities of Supervisors of Teaching Assistants

Handbooks are available in lots of ten ($25 U.S./$30 non-U.S.) or as a single copy ($5 U.S./$8 non-U.S.). Order from the JCE Online Store or contact us by phone: 800/991-5534 (U.S.) or 608/262-5153; fax: 608/265-8094; email.

New: JCE Data-Driven Exercises

JCE Data-Driven Exercises is a new feature column edited by W. Tandy Grubbs of Stetson University.

A description of the first feature column appeared in the August 2007 issue where it introduces itself.

The JCE Data-Driven Exercises collection is devoted to the accumulation, distribution, and curricular use of guided-inquiry, data-centered exercises. Each exercise is based upon real data that have been obtained either from the literature or, in a few cases, collected by students. Exercises can be downloaded from the JCE Data-Driven Exercises collection and assigned in or out of class. Each provides supplemental exposure to select topics in the curriculum.

An attempt has been made to keep the exercises in this collection relatively brief so that students can carry out the tasks associated with the exercise within a three-hour working period. The theoretical background descriptions are concise and include only those concepts that are central to the assignment. … The current collection is focused on physical chemistry, but will ultimately encompass other curricular areas.

Additional contributions to this collection are encouraged from the broader chemical community within any curricular area where data-driven inquiry is deemed beneficial. Contributions should be sent to Grubbs.

Next Month: National Chemistry Week!

This is the 20th anniversary of National Chemistry Week (NCW) with the theme “The Many Faces of Chemistry”, which focuses on the variety of careers related to chemistry. Our October 2007 issue will bring a Chemical Education Today section with vignettes and photos from a variety of people whose careers involve chemistry and science in some way. Also based on the NCW theme will be another of our Resource Papers and regular features “From Past Issues” and “News from Online”.

Another face of chemistry will be shown in the October issue through articles on biography and history, topics of general interest, ideas for outreach and demonstrations, and interdisciplinary approaches to teaching chemistry.

Calling All Subscribers…Email Addresses Needed

If you have a personal subscription to JCE, we need your help—so that we can make our service even better.

We need your email address. Right now we are ready to tell subscribers in an email message when the latest issue is up on JCE Online. We have everything we need to make this service happen except—email addresses.

Send us your email address by contacting us via email (using the subject line “email address” would be helpful) or by including this information when you renew your subscription. Or, you can visit us at our meeting booth and tell us in person. Thanks!

Awards Announced

Chemical Abstracts Celebrates

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) is a division of the American Chemical Society with its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. Chemical Abstracts has two reasons to celebrate:

• it is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2007
• has received historical recognition by being designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark

CAS began in 1895 when Arthur Noyes, patriarch of a distinguished family of American chemists, founded the Review of American Chemical Research at MIT. Two years later, the Review became a part of JACS, at which point its editor argued that simply publishing these abstracts as a supplement was not enough. As a result, ACS began publishing Chemical Abstracts in 1907. CAS moved to the campus of Ohio State University in 1909, where it remained for 56 years until 1965 when it moved off campus to a new building of its own. In 1907 much of the work of CAS was done by volunteer abstractors; now CAS employs more than 1300 people in Columbus and provides the world’s largest and most current collection of chemical and related scientific information. To date, CAS has published more than 27 million abstracts and has recorded almost 32,000,000 substances in the Chemical Registry System. Further information on CAS history and contributions is detailed in the CAS anniversary press release, available; to view a timeline of the history of CAS, visit the Web site (both sites accessed Jul 2007).

Award Deadlines

Vernier /NSTA Technology Award

Vernier Software & Technology will provide up to seven awards, each valued at $3000, for educators who demonstrate innovative uses of data-collection technology using a computer, graphing calculator, or other handheld device in the science classroom.

The Vernier Software & Technology/NSTA Technology Awards will be given to up to one elementary teacher, two middle school teachers, three high school teachers, and one college-level educator. Each will receive a $1000 cash award, $1000 in Vernier equipment, and $1000 toward travel and expenses to attend NSTA’s National Convention in 2008. Entries, to be judged by a panel of experts appointed by NSTA, are due by October 15, 2007. Downloadable applications and guidelines are available (accessed Jul 2007). Applications should include an application form, an abstract of the program in 250 words or less, a program description, a copy of an actual lab activity, a nominee’s Vita, and letters of support. Original plus five copies of all application materials should be mailed to: NSTA, Vernier Technology Awards, 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Nominations must be received by October 15, 2007.

2009 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. The 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. The award will recognize research contributions involving a significant body of work rather than a single project or contribution. 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 2009 ACS National Meeting in Salt Lake City. 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. Prentice-Hall Publishers is the sponsor of this award. J. Dudley Herron (retired: Purdue University and Morehead State University) was the 2007 awardee. The 2008 awardee will be announced in August 2007.

The deadline for all nominating material for all 2009 ACS awards is November 1, 2007. A completed nominator form with a recommendation of not more than 1,000 words evaluating the nominee’s accomplishments and a specific identification of the work to be recognized is written by one individual. Two other individuals having detailed knowledge of the nominee’s work write supporting letters.

More information about the award, the nomination process, and rules of eligibility may be found on the ACS Web site, under the “Awards” category (accessed Jul 2007).

Courses, Seminars, Meetings, Opportunities

Free Workshops in Data Collection Technology

Beginning in September 2007, a number of free hands-on workshops in data-collection technology using computers and calculators will be offered in 40 cities across the U.S. by Vernier Software & Technology. In the four-hour workshops participants will be trained with the LabQuest graphing interfaces as well as TI graphing calculators. They will learn how to integrate the data-collection technology into their chemistry, biology, physics, math, middle school science, physical science, and Earth science curriculum. The workshops will include a light meal and a Workshop Training Manual. Those who choose to do so may earn two (quarter) Graduate Science credit hours through the Portland State University Center for Science Education. There is also an option of purchasing technology along with the training. Details and a schedule of the workshops between September and December 2007 may be found on the Vernier Web site (accessed Jul 2007).

People

Mr. Wizard

Don Herbert, TV’s Mr. Wizard, died on Tuesday, June 12, at the age of 89 at his home in Bell Canyon, CA. He had brought the exciting and magical world of science to millions of children throughout his lifetime via the “Watch Mr. Wizard” weekly half-hour television program, which ran from 1951 to 1964. The program featured the science behind ordinary things and introduced experiments and information in a fun and uncomplicated format that brought Herbert instant recognition and critical acclaim as an innovative educational broadcaster and as a teacher of science. A press release about Herbert is available (accessed Jul 2007).