Category Archives: Food Science

The Chemical History of Food

The Chemical History of Food: An Invitational Essay Contest from the American Chemical Society Division of the History of Chemistry

Teachers and students at any level of chemistry instruction are invited to submit a team-researched-and-written brief essay (500 words or less) describing an episode or development in food chemistry from an historical viewpoint. At least two supporting scholarly references (not taken from the internet) should accompany the essay; they will not figure in the word count. Essays will be judged on the depth and clarity of chemistry covered, the quality of research, and historic content. Winning essays will receive a voucher for supplies selected from the Flinn Catalog (1st prize – $300; 2nd prize – $200: 3rd prize – $100). Before March 1, 2018, please submit your essay along with a captioned photograph of your teacher/student team to maryvirginiaorna@gmail.com. Please include the name and location of your institution and contact information. Winners will be announced at the High School day at the New Orleans American Chemical Society National Meeting on March 18, 2018. The essays will be featured in the symposium “Food at the Crossroads” on March 19, 2018

Essay Contest on the History of Food

The Chemical History of Food: An Invitational Essay Contest from the American Chemical Society Division of the History of Chemistry

Teachers and students at any level of chemistry instruction are invited to submit a team-researched-and-written brief essay (500 words or less) describing an episode or development in food chemistry from an historical viewpoint. At least two supporting scholarly references (not taken from the internet) should accompany the essay; they will not figure in the word count. Essays will be judged on the depth and clarity of chemistry covered, the quality of research, and historic content. Winning essays will receive a voucher for supplies selected from the Flinn Catalog (1st prize – $300; 2nd prize – $200: 3rd prize – $100). Before March 1, 2018, please submit your essay along with a captioned photograph of your teacher/student team to maryvirginiaorna@gmail.com. Please include the name and location of your institution and contact information. Winners will be announced at the High School day at the New Orleans American Chemical Society National Meeting on March 18, 2018. The essays will be featured in the symposium “Food at the Crossroads” on March 19, 2018.

A Letter from the President

The White House, Washington
Dear Sally:

Thank you for writing.  I want you to know that I am listening, and I appreciate your perspective.

On December 4, the Department of the Army indicated that it will not approve an easement for the proposed Dakota Access pipeline to cross under Lake Oahe and that more work is necessary to explore alternative routes.  The Department stated that it has been having discussions with officials from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe who expressed concerns about the risk that a rupture or spill could pose to the tribe’s water supply and treaty rights.  The Department indicated that consideration of alternative routes would best be accomplished through an Environmental Impact Statement with full public input and analysis.

As President, my greatest responsibility is ensuring the safety of the American people.  That includes protecting the rights of all our citizens, as well as the integrity of our energy infrastructure.  My Administration has been committed to setting the highest possible standards for oil and gas production and transportation and to making sure our pursuit of energy resources does not put our communities or the environment at risk.  As new energy infrastructure is developed, the Federal government works with State, local, and tribal governments—which play a central role in the siting and permitting of pipelines—to address the concerns of local communities.  That’s one reason why Federal agencies have engaged in a series of consultations open to leaders from all 567 Federally‑recognized tribes about how the Federal government can improve its working relationship with tribal governments on infrastructure‑related issues.  We have made a great deal of progress in building a brighter shared future with Indian Country, and we remain committed to strengthening our nation‑to‑nation relationships as we tackle the work that must still be done.

Again, thank you for writing.  I am optimistic that together, we can grow our economy and create new opportunities while securing a cleaner and safer future for all our people.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

Visit WhiteHouse.gov

American Chemical Society Illustrated Poem Contest – Earth Day

The American Chemical Society sponsors an Illustrated Poem Contest each year to help celebrate Earth Day.  This year’s theme is: “The Great Indoors – Your Home’s Ecosystem”

CCED 2016 Poetry Contest Flyer (1)

The Central New York Section’s deadline is:  April 2, 2016 and the entry must be received by this date.  Information on where to send the poem and entry form are at the bottom of the form.

If you are not from Central New York, locate your coordinator at: http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/outreach/cced/cced-illustrated-poem-contest.html

Entry Form:  PDF 2016 CCED Poetry Contest Entry Form (1)

Entry Form:  word doc so you can type information before printing: 2016 CCED Poetry Contest Entry Form

Information/Rules flyer:  CCED 2016 Poetry Contest Flyer (1)

The History of Chemistry for the Classroom

Workshop for High School Teachers of Chemistry

The History of Chemistry for the Classroom

The ACS Division of the History of Chemistry is sponsoring a workshop for high school teachers of chemistry on the Saturday before the August, 2016 American Chemical Society meeting in Philadelphia (August 20). The event is free, but attendance is limited to 20 teachers. Applications are now being accepted. Send email to Gary Patterson (gp9a@andrew.cmu.edu).

Location of workshop: Chemical Heritage Foundation, 315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA.

Why Attend?  

Chemistry is much more than chemicals and formulae. The study of actual chemists is fascinating and history helps to put all of chemistry in perspective.

-Students respond more enthusiastically to chemistry that is part of the real history of humanity.

-When did chemical companies first open for business? When did the chance observation that adventitiously fermented grain yielded an interesting beverage lead to the regular use of beer? Why is fire so important in the history of humanity? Find out answers to these questions and more…

Details: The workshop will consist of lectures, roundtable discussions, great food, and a tour of the Chemical Heritage Foundation museum.

-The introductory lecture will cover the early history of the teaching of chemistry by Gary Patterson, the Historian of the Division.

-The history of inorganic chemistry by Jay Labinger from CalTech.

-The history of organic chemistry by David Lewis, the leading authority on the history of Russian chemistry.

-The history of physical chemistry by Cathy Cobb, the best known historian of physical chemistry and a current high school chemistry teacher.

-Seth Rasmussen and Carmen Giunta, the authors of the national standards for the inclusion of history in the chemistry curriculum will also be assisting.

The Chemical Tree, by William Brock: A copy of the book will be mailed to each participant and each participant will be expected to read the book in advance of the workshop so that teachers can participate fully in the discussions following each lecture.

-Continuing education credit is available for this event.

An application format is given below. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2016. Please fill out the application below and email to: Gary Patterson (gp9a@andrew.cmu.edu).

Application for the Chemical History Workshop

Chemical Heritage Foundation

Saturday, August 20, 2016

 

Name:

School Name:

School Address:

Home Mailing Address:

Email address:

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Will you also attend the High School Day at the ACS Meeting? ______

-Sunday, August 21, 2016

-The High School Chemistry Teacher Program is held at each National American Chemical Society meeting as part of the Division of Chemical Education program. This is a day of workshops and hands on activities specifically geared towards the high school setting. Registration is separate from this application.