ChemLine

Marion Johnson 563-243-5350 A publication of

Secretary The Illinois-Iowa Section of

marjoh@clinton.net The American Chemical Society

March 2004

If you have items to be included in the next newsletter, submit the items by March 20 to the Secretary.

For the latest information about upcoming events, visit our website at http://membership.acs.org/I/ILIA/

MARCH MEETING

Tuesday, March 9, 2004

Location:		The Franciscan University Clinton, Iowa Map is attached

Times: 6:00 - 6:30 PM 6:30 - 7:30 PM		Social East Conference Room, St. Clare Hall Dinner: Choice of chicken rice pilaf or vegetable lasagna; strawberry and romaine salad, dinner rolls and cheese cake, coffee, tea, milk
7:30 - 8:30 PM		Speaker: P. Jerry Hannan "The Environment, Public Apathy, and Chemistry" Collis Lecture Hall, Durgin Center

Member/Guest: $10 Student: $5 Deadline for Meal Reservations: Friday, March 5^th at noon.
Contact Dr. Todd Miller, 563-243-5350, or todmil@TFU.edu

Sponsor-a-Student: We are again looking for volunteers to sponsor a college student at the March meeting. Your part is to pay the meal cost of one student - or ask your employer to pay the cost - and spend the social and dinnertime visiting with the student that you are matched with. Whether you are currently employed, retired, or between jobs, you have much to offer to a student planning a science-based career. Additionally, after this brief mentoring experience you will likely find that you too have gained a lot. Please take part by signing up when you make your dinner reservation with Todd Miller

ABSTRACT

An increased public awareness of science has resulted from the current emphasis on environmental matters. At the same time, the public's apathy and ignorance about science have become more apparent. A major reason, of course, is the generally poor coverage of scientific news items by the print and broadcast media. Uninformed commentators are the product of our educational system which allows students to graduate from high school with little technical training. Not too long ago, 17 percent of our high schools did not offer a course in chemistry. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol abuse by many high school students must also be considered as negative factors in the public's lack of interest in science. In this presentation examples of the factors described above will be given, plus a short videotape of interviews with "the man on the street."

BIOGRAPHY

Patrick J. Hannan retired from the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), in 1987 after 31 years. Previously, his career included research at the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution, the Beltsville Laboratories of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Engineering Research and Development Laboratories at Fort Belvoir, VA. He received his training in chemistry at Catholic University (B.S., 1942; M.S., 1948). Much of his research at NRL concerned the growth of mass cultures of algae, beginning with a study of their use as a potential source of oxygen for nuclear submarines. Gas exchange techniques that had been developed in this study were then used as the basis for rapid bioassay procedures involving algae or yeasts. With the gas exchange approach, the detection of the toxic propeties of such disparate entities as stainless steel alloys and mycotoxins could be made in a matter of minutes.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

"Reaction" from the Bench

I have a special announcement!

We are trying to streamline operations of our section in order to better serve our programs, grants, and special events. Also, as an effort to entice our members and the community to visit our website, we have decided to change the ChemLine newsletter. Only the basic information about the upcoming monthly event will be sent out on an abbreviated letter or postcard. The full newsletter will be published on the website http://membership.acs.org/I/ILIA/. Now for those who still wish to receive the full newsletter by the typical Postal Service, we are more than happy to do so. Please contact Marion Johnson, myself, or any on the Executive Committee with your request. Please include your name, address, and phone number. The abbreviated edition will start with April's ChemLine.

February's meeting was another good meeting. Plenty of students and conversation. This was all topped off with an exploration of the past by touring the Fryxell Geology Museum. Thanks, Dr. Wanke and Dr. Wolf, for having us. A best kept secret in the Quad Cities. I know of several members who were planning on returning with a visit on their own. I took my son there this weekend.

This month's meeting will be up at the Franciscan University hosted by Todd Miller. Mr. J. Patrick Hannan will talk about the importance of the environment and the public's limited understanding about the topic. Does the public think that science doesn't matter or is there something else more apathetic? Education at the elementary and high school levels maybe the key. How can our section bring more public awareness to science and chemistry? Check out the goal section of our website.

See you in Clinton.

Jerod Corbin

2004 Chair

CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD

Saturday, March 27, 2004, is the date. From 8 AM - 12:30 PMat Clinton Community College, the annual Chemistry Olympiad will be held. More than 100 high school students will be competing in this important event sponsored by the Section. There is still time for high school teachers and students to apply. The committee welcomes volunteers to help proctor the tests and visit with these budding young chemists. Donations of text books, laboratory equipment and of course $$ would also be greatly appreciated! Contact Richard Kissack 563-242-4812 rkissack@clinton.net, or John Bonte 563-244-7138 jbonte@eicc.edu.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

On Tuesday, April 6^th, Glen Roy, a tour speaker, will give a talk on "Taste Sensors." This meeting will be held at Monmouth College. Jeffery Dravies is the host.

The May meeting features Felice Frankel, a well known artist, who will give lectures on "Art & Science." This is part of an ACS Innovative Grant awarded to our section and the Peoria section. Tentatively, Ms. Frankel will be speaking to the Illinois-Iowa Section on May 6^th at the Bettendorf Family Museum of Arts & Sciences; on May 7^th or 8^th she will be in Peoria.

KISER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Applications for the Donald Kiser Memorial Scholarship offered by the Illinois-Iowa Section are available by contacting: Rich Craddick, Kent Feeds Inc., 1600 Oregon Street, Muscatine, Iowa 52761,

Phone: (563) 264-4394, rich_craddick@kentfeeds.com. Applications must be completed and returned on or before April 1, 2004.

NATIONAL CHEMISTRY WEEK

A committee has been formed to facilitate National Chemistry Week. Members include: Michael Applequist, Jerod Corbin, Dick Kissack, Marion Johnson, Sally Rigeman, and Janelle Torres y Torres, Chairperson.

Chair: Audit Committee Chair Public Relations Committee Chair

Mr. Jerod Corbin Mr. Richard Helms Mr. Richard Kissack

(563) 243-3943 (563) 264- 4240 (563) 242-4812

sethnesslab@revealed.net FAX (563) 264-4216 rkissack@clinton.net

Chair Elect: Education/Grants and Awards National Chemistry Week

Dr. Janelle Torres y Torres Committee Chair Dr. Janelle Torres y Torres

jtorres@eicc.edu Dr. Sally Rigeman jtorres@eicc.edu

(309) 797 4369

srigeman@aea9.k12.ia.us

Secretary: Kiser Scholarship Committee Chair Past Chair

Mrs. Marion Johnson Mr. Richard Craddick Dr. Alan Abbott

(563) 243-5350 (563) 264-4394 (309) 852-5671, ext. 6253