K-12 education
NERM’S 2010 Symposium for High School Science Teachers is tentatively scheduled for the morning of June 5, 2010. This Symposium has a double theme. One is Creative Chemistry Teaching and the other is Green Chemistry. The Symposium is organized by Dr. Dana Barry of Clarkson University with assistance from Dr. Martin Walker of SUNY Potsdam for the Green Chemistry component.
The Creative Chemistry Teaching presentations include exciting and motivating demonstrations to enhance students’ learning and to turn them onto chemistry. This section also contains a variety of creative teaching techniques. Using multisensory lessons (which combine visual aids, chemistry songs, and interesting hands-on experiments) is a great way for students to learn science. Another way for them to learn and to develop their creative problem-solving skills is by reading and solving crimes (problems) in mystery stories. In addition, students can have enjoyable learning experiences in science by participating in Space Missions and in other creative ways.
The Green Chemistry component includes green chemistry experiments for high schools, a session on sustainable transportation fuels, and a curriculum that uses a "natural" approach to chemistry.
Session organizer
Dana Barry (who has been a certified chemist for many years) has permanent teacher certification in chemistry and the general sciences. She has taught high school and college level chemistry. Also Dana is the author of numerous journal papers about science and chemical education and for several books about creatively teaching chemistry. In addition, she organized NERM’S 1999 High School Teacher Symposium held at Clarkson University.
Prof. Martin Walker, Dept. of Chemistry, SUNY Potsdam. Dr. Walker teaches organic chemistry at SUNY Potsdam, and he is the conference chair for NERM 2010. He has been developing a green chemistry lab manual for high school use, in conjunction with an undergraduate student (John Proetta) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Confirmed speakers
- Dr. Dana Barry, Clarkson University: Creative Chemistry Teaching.
- Dr. Martin Walker, SUNY Potsdam: Green chemistry in the high school laboratory.
- Dr. Susan Powers, Professor & Associate Dean of Engineering, Clarkson University: "Sustainable Transportation Fuels: Project-Based Unit for High School Science Classes".
- Dr. Richard Partch, Senior University Professor, Clarkson University: "Increasing Nano Awareness in the Science Classroom".
- Dr. Deborah Carlisle "The Natural Approach to Chemistry: Making High School Chemistry Accessible and Meaningful"
There will also be a "magic show" presented by Dr. Jim Peploski (Clarkson University).
