ORLANDO SECTION NEWSLETTER Vol. 13, No. 1 American Chemical Society February 2008

MARCH PROGRAM Date:          Monday, March 17, 2008 Where:       The Darden Auditorium                   Orlando Science Center                   777 East Princeton Street                   Orlando, FL 32803 Time:          6:00 pm Presenters:  Dr. Jim Webb and Dr. Otis Rothenberger Topic:         “Is it Chemistry or Magic?”

 

 About the Presenters

(Combined Biographical Sketch)

 

Otis Rothenberger, Ph. D. and Jim Webb, Ph. D.

Otis Rothenberger and Jim Webb are Emeritus Professors of Chemistry at Illinois State University with more than eighty years of combined experience in the field of chemical education. For the past twenty-five years, their partnership as co-presenters has brought the excitement and fun of chemistry to more than 20,000 adults, young adults, and children throughout the USA. Otis is an organic chemist. Although his current research interests involve the history of chemistry, his educational specialty is the presentation of chemistry to nonscientific audiences. During his active teaching career at ISU, Otis coordinated the large lecture section non-majors chemistry course. He also served as the cooperative education coordinator. Jim is an analytical chemist. He currently remains active as a research partner supporting several ISU research groups. During his active teaching career at ISU, Jim taught a full spectrum of analytical courses. He also served as the laboratory coordinator for the 100 level majors and non-majors laboratory courses. The presentation partnership of Otis and Jim was inevitable. They share a common sense of humor. They also share the belief that the excitement of chemistry can be presented with both humor and dignity. Since their presentations use "chemical magic" as a serious teaching tool, the presentations appeal to a wide range of audiences. Otis and Jim have served as chemical education consultants to a number of educational organizations, including the Chemical Industries Council of Illinois, the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory's High School Teachers Workshop, and the American Chemical Society.

 

Abstract

 

When professional firefighters or law enforcement officers visit public school classrooms, they dress and act according to their professional roles. More often than not, the chemist's visit involves funny T-shirts, cute hats, and silly behavior. Thus, many chemical outreach presentations support the very stereotypes that the profession has come to deplore. The presentation "Is It Chemistry or Magic?" illustrates that chemical outreach programs can convey the profession's important messages with drama, humor, and dignity. Further, the presentation illustrates that these messages can be conveyed with very simple and inexpensive materials that can be packed in the trunk of a single car. Otis and Jim have presented this talk at colleges, high schools, junior high schools, and elementary schools throughout the United States. They are committed to the idea that chemical outreach is the responsibility of every member of the profession. The tour presentation of "Is It Chemistry or Magic?" is offered as a public outreach presentation or a presentation to teachers and other interested ACS members

 

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Awards

The Orlando Section held its annual awards banquet on December 6, 2007 at the Olive Garden on East Colonial in Orlando.  The well attended event recognized outstanding individuals who had been nominated for awards and our 50- and 60-year members.  Receiving awards were the following individuals:

Outstanding High School Student:  Adam Klett from West Shore Jr/Sr High

Outstanding High School Teacher:  Lisa Scott from Satellite High

Outstanding Grad Student:  Carlos Toro from UCF

Outstanding Teacher at a Two – Year College:   Gerald Swanson from Daytona Beach CC

The following were recognized for their years of service to ACS

 

50 Year Members:

Robert Blaufox

Erich Blossey

Lionel Goldring

John Meisenheimer

Frederick Noe

 

60Year Members:

Edith Bauersfeld

Robert Holmes

William Marzluff

Albert Williams