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Chemistry Olympiad program 2009 by Carol Pleninger, Havre High School Chemistry teacher and Chemistry Olympiad coordinator

We finished the preliminary state exams and national exams for the year this past week. Following are the names and schools of the students in order of their performance on the local exam. The Montana Section has awarded prizes of $250 (first place) to $50 (sixth place) to these students.

1. Meg Quintero (Havre High School)
2. Jacob Ulgenes (Havre High School)
3. Amy Reagor (Great Falls CMR High School)
4. Aaron Johnson (Great Falls CMR High School)
5. Caleb Bentley (Lewistown-Fergus High School)
6. Jesse Skipper (Lewistown-Fergus High School)

This year before the local exam was given, I sent a letter to every "AA" and "A" school in the state, hoping to drum up some more participation in the program. Again like last year when I put out a letter on the Web e-blast and MSTA site, there wasn't much interest. Lewistown was the only new school that contacted me, and I did contact CMR in Great Falls as they have always participated, as well as Billings Central and Flathead (Flathead has participated in the past and Billings Central expressed interest last year, but when they received the exam, they thought it was too difficult). So ...long story short, only three schools participated this year: Lewistown, CMR in Great Falls, and us here in Havre.

The tests are a great experience, especially for those students preparing to take the AP exam. The lab practical questions are great hands-on and thought provoking experiences. I am disappointed that it is so difficult to get participation in this program. I only sent letters to the "AA" and "A" schools because they are probably the only ones with an Advanced Chemistry or AP Chemistry Course. The content of the test is beyond most beginning Chemistry classes. (posted 5/9/09)

2009 Student travel award winners

Sunshine Silver is recognized for her outstanding presentation by Earle Adams, Montana Section Chair (.... hey, that trophy looks familiar)

At the Meeting-in-Miniature held in Bozeman on April 18, two students were awarded $750 in recognition of their presentations. The awards are to be used for travel to chemistry conferences. The winners, Shannon Kruse (undergraduate) and Sunshine Silver (graduate), are both students at MSU. At the meeting there were two plenary presentations by Prof Edward Dratz (MSU) and Prof Ed Rosenberg (UM), 12 oral presentations and several poster presentations. Forty people attended - 18 from U Montana, 12 from MSU, 3 from Carroll College, 2 from Chief Dull Knife College, 1 from Flathead Valley Community College, 1 from Montana Tech, and 3 that were not affiliated with academics. (posted 4/27/09)

Montana Section wins first place at Hospitality Awards at National ACS Meeting

Kyle strode (r), Montana section councilor, receives the Hospitality Award from Wayne Jones, ACS Local Section Activities Chair

The Speaker Service Hospitality Awards recognize local section efforts when hosting an ACS tour speaker. Following are some kind words from Robert Bates, of the ACS speaker tour, who visited our section in the October 2008 and nominated us for the award: “Frankly, the turn out, enthusiasm, and interaction at each location equaled or surpassed that accomplished by many single, even larger ACS Sections that I visit. Thus in hospitality (to me and the assembled attendees), meeting venue, and program focus, the Montana ACS Section collectively is to be commended and merits the Hospitality Award. They are a worthy model for all ACS Sections and have my thanks and respect. It was a pleasure to visit them.” (posted 4/27/09)

Councilor's Report from the 237th ACS National Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, March, 2009 by Kyle Strode, Montana Section councilor (posted 4/27/09)

Follow the money ...
Brief summary of the 2008 Annual Financial Report by Tony Haag, Treasurer (posted 1/31/09)

The Green Chemistry Research and Development Act. Gary Freebury, MT-section government relations chair (posted 12/7/08)

When I was in Washington DC recently, I met with Senator's Baucus and Tester and staff for 3 others senators dealing with the Green Chemistry Research and Development act. However, even though they were all supportive of this bill they were not going to be able to get to it due to the auto industry mess. So, it will have to go through the process again next year. This bill is dealing with sustainable energy and methods in decreasing chemicals, waste, and pollution. It also allows for finding catalysts that can simplify overall reactions. It is a wide open bill in that it provides money for research in biochemistry, energy, and education. There is $55 million split into four authorities: NSF, EPA, DOE, and NIST. So, I think that it has great potential and that our state should be able to get a piece of this R&D money.

The Montana Section will keep you updated on this opportunity from our government and the ACS as well.

What is the Section working on now?
Minutes of the last executive committee meeting - April 2008 by Dawn Bregel, Secretary (posted 10/7/08)

Following is a brief report from Swati Bandi, University of Montana graduate student and one of the recipients of the 2008 MT Section travel awards, on her recent experiences at the national ACS meeting. (posted 9/7/08)

"I am pleased to share with you my experience at the ACS 236th National Meeting in Philadelphia, which I attended from August 17th – 21st 2008. On 18 August I had the good fortune to present a poster on my research. I received some valuable feedback on my research along with some constructive questions. This meeting is memorable for me because I not only got to hear the talks, but I also meet Professors and scientists whose research papers I have read and cited them in my own research articles. The individuals I had the opportunity to meet include Ken Dill, Harry Gray, J. Winkler, Peter Wolynes, Jose Onuchic, Susan Marqusee, Heinrich Roder, and many more top scientists. I also attended talks and poster presentations by graduate students and took part in discussions regarding their research. Additionally, I met people from industries and academics, and got a chance to both forward my resume and set up job interviews. I also attended workshops on how to plan job search and how to prepare a resume and CV. In my free time I visited some of the historic places in Philadelphia including, Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, Penn’s landing, City Hall, etc. Overall this was an excellent trip for my professional growth and provided ample of networking opportunities with top biochemical professionals and scientists in the country."

Anthony Favero, of Hamilton, wins ACS Northwest Region Award for Excellence in High School Teaching - July 2008 - article from the Ravalli Republic (posted 7/27/08)

Report from the Northwest Regional Meeting - June 2008 by Nick Natale, Montana Section representative to the NOR Board (posted 7/17/08)