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Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2005 19:24:35 -0700
Reply-To: DAVID KATZ <dakatz45**At_Symbol_Here**MSN.COM>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: DAVID KATZ <dakatz45**At_Symbol_Here**MSN.COM>
Subject: Re: Students not selecting chemistry
I must take issue with with the statement regarding "draconian
application of Health and Safety rules" along with the other statements
about experiments being banned. First of all, a number of our
colleagues did it to themselves with constant demonstrations with fire,
smoke, and explosions. Also, most of the textbook publishers did not
help with the dull clones of laboratory manuals with "so what?" boring
experiments. Chemistry is not a bunch of experiments with fire, smoke,
and explosions, rather it demonstrates the fascinating properties of
many elements and compounds and amazing transformations of matter.
As chemistry teachers we must first and foremost be aware of laboratory
safety, proper handling of materials, proper storage, and proper
disposal. These are not add-ons to our experiments, but standard
operating procedures. That's where people like Jim Kaufman and Larry
Flinn come in. I'm not ignoring all of you out there, but these
individuals have worked tirelessly to take safety to teachers in the
schools. Jim with his workshops and Flinn with the excellent safety
information in his catalog along with his safety workshops.
What about experiments and demonstrations? First, I'm proud to state
that I do demonstrations and occasional hands-on activities in almost
every class. I demonstrate the reactions of lithium, sodium, and
potassium (in small scale, projected on a large screen), a Thermite
reaction (in a safe outdoors location), show the oxygen burning splint
reaction, burn a test tube of hydrogen, and lots of other chemical
reactions and phenomena. Sure, we need those safety shields and we must
take all the proper precautions because as chemistry professionals this
is part of our life. I have maintained a 100% safety record throughout
my career - small accidents have happened, but there have been no fires,
property damage, or injuries.
I'm always searching for interesting experiments to turn my students on
to chemistry and am especially trying to relate the chemistry to daily
life. It's time to get away from a lot of those boring measurement and
density labs and to do some interesting chemistry. Just add a real-life
application to an existing experiment where possible, grow crystals of
grocery store alum, work with liquid crystal materials, etc. There is a
wealth of information on experiments and demonstrations in the Journal
of Chemical Education and at a number of web sites - but, choose wisely
and put safety first. (Okay, I have to put in a plug for my web site,
where I post most of my experiments for my students and to share with
the world. My site is http://www.chymist.com
To find experiments, click on the "Pima Chem Courses" link and look at
some of the specific courses.)
So quit complaining and get off your duffs. Prove to your school
boards, administrators, legislators, and the general public that you are
responsible and safety minded chemistry professionals and regain their
trust. Educate the general students, they're the regulation setters of
tomorrow. Add some new and interesting experiments to your courses to
get your students to say "Wow". The current situation isn't going to
change overnight, it will take time.
David Katz
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DAVID A. KATZ
Chemist, Educator, Expert Demonstrator, Science Communicator, and
Consultant
133 N. Desert Stream Dr., Tucson, AZ 85745, U.S.A.
Voice/Fax/Message: 520-624-2207 Email:
dakatz45**At_Symbol_Here**msn.com
Programs and workshops for teachers, schools, museums, and the public
Visit my web site: http://www.chymist.com
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Further back on the education chain, though, the worry is that young
people are not being attracted to chemistry because of the draconian
application of Health and Safety rules. The sort of experiments that
we did in labs with Bunsen burners and mixing things and hoping for
bangs and liking to see fermentation and bubbling and grizzling, has
now been banned. A teacher stands behind a glass screen and
demonstrates. In other words, all the three of them agreed, it seems
to be no fun at all for students who are peeling away from chemistry
en masse. The worry is not only that fewer students are taking up
chemistry, but that even those who are taking it up cannot be hands
on and, therefore, cannot begin to be innovative at the start of
their careers. There was worry that this would lead to a drop off of
real interest in pushing chemistry forward into areas where it is now
so important, to do with research into fuels into the atmosphere and
so on.
It seems that, again and again, when we bandage people against
reality we save some things but seem to lose at least as much and
perhaps far more important things. As this country has been so
fantastically effective in its studies of chemistry over the past two
centuries, it would be a pity if over-fierce regulation were to crush
the life out of it, which seems to be the case.
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