241st ACS National Meeting
Anaheim, CA
March 27 – 31, 2011
Meeting Co-Chairs
MaryKay Orgill, Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4003, tel: (702) 895-3580, Email:
George Bodner, Department of Chemistry, PurdueUniversity, West Lafayette, IN47907-2084, tel: (765) 494-5313, fax: (765) 494-0238, Email:
High School Program Co-Chairs
Judie Flint Baumwirt. Science Department Chairperson, GranadaHillsCharterHigh School, 10535 Zelzah Avenue, Granada Hills, CA91344,tel:(818) 360-2361Ext 405, Email:
Paul Shin, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA 91330-8241,tel; (818)677-6887, Email:
Undergraduate Poster
Nancy Bakowski, Department of Higher Education, American Chemical Society, 1155 Sixteenth St NW. Washington, DC 20036, tel: (202) 872-6166, Email:
CHED Program Chair
Irv Levy, Department of Chemistry, Gordon College, 255 Grapevine Road, Wenham, MA 01984, tel: (978) 867-4877, fax: (978) 867-4666,
Symposia Organizers and Topics
List of Symposia:
1.ACS Award for Achievement in Research for the Teaching and Learning of Chemistry: Symposium in Honor of David F. Treagust. Organizers: MarcyTowns, Department of Chemistry, PurdueUniversity, West Lafayette, IN47907, tel: (765) 496-1574, Email:; and Thomas J. Greenbowe. Department of Chemistry, IowaStateUniversity, Ames, IA50011-3111, tel: (515) 294-6352, Email: (Invited only)
David Treagust and his colleagues have made major contributions to our understanding of the teaching and learning of chemistry. From improving students’ conceptual understandings, to investigating problem-solving, and on to assessing student understanding of chemistry content, his research group has blazed trails that others follow. This symposium will review the work and the impact of David Treagust, as well as offer new chemical education research directions. Potential contributors should contact the symposium organizers.
2. Addressing Issues of Chemistry Teacher Recruitment, Preparation, & Retention. Organizer: Greg Rushton, Department of Chemistry, KennesawStateUniversity, Kennesaw,GA30152, tel: (678) 797-2046 and (678) 797-2260, Email:
This symposium is designed to bring together those invested in chemistry teacher preparation and professional development. It will be focused on discussing issues associated with chemistry teacher recruitment, preparation and retention such as, Do recruitment efforts need to target high-school students or can we draw sufficiently from existing chemistry majors?; What do different chemistry education degree programs look like and could one be developed which would result in an ACS-certified chemistry education track?; and What efforts might be put in place to help support chemistry teachers in their early careers? The desired outcome of this symposium is to help generate an alliance of institutes and individuals concerned with these issues who could then continue the dialogue once the conference is over.
3.Advances in Teaching Organic Chemistry. Organizer: Susan F. Hornbuckle, Department of Natural Sciences, Clayton State University, 2000 Clayton State Blvd., Morrow, GA 30260, tel: (678) 466-4780, Email:
This symposium will allow chemistry educators to share their experiences with the design and/or utilization of various pedagogical techniques for organic chemistry courses. Individual or departmental efforts in this area are essential in the endeavor to educate our next generation of scientists. Papers involving different approaches for teaching organic chemistry concepts in the classroom or the laboratory would be appropriate presentations for this symposium.
4. Applications of Visualization Techniques in the Classroom. Organizer: Thomas J. Greenbowe. Department of Chemistry, IowaStateUniversity, Ames, IA50011-3111, tel: (515) 294-6352, Email:
This symposium will explore both the theoretical parameters and practical classroom implementation of animations, simulations, and visualizations related to the teaching and learning of chemistry. Contributions that shed light on how visualizations are used to illustrate specific chemistry topics; that include data about how visualizations are used to improve student understanding of chemistry;and/or that describe the integration of instructional tutorials or worksheets that incorporate guided-inquiry and the learning cycle with visualizations are encouraged.
5.Chemistry Education Research: a Symposium Focusing on the Presentation and Discussion of Graduate Student Research. Organizers: Derek Behmke, Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, tel: (770) 846-6997, Email: ; and Cynthia J. Luxford, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, tel: (513) 529 -5721, Email:
Networking among chemical education researchers is extremely important for both the development and sharing of new ideas. As beginning researchers, graduate students need a forum where these interactions can take place. This symposium will showcase ongoing chemical education graduate student research. Each 10-minute presentation will be followed by 10 minutes of questions and discussion. Presenters are encouraged to embed discussion questions they wish to be addressed in their presentation. This symposium will provide an excellent opportunity for chemical education graduate students to gain presentation experience and improve the quality of their research practices. It will also allow the chemistry community to see what chemical education graduate students are currently researching.
6.Chemistry Misconceptions Research.Organizer: Stacey Lowery Bretz, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, MiamiUniversity, Oxford, OH45056, tel: (513) 529-3731, Email:
Misconceptions, alternate conceptions, preconceptions, naïve ideas - all synonyms for describing students’ understanding of the concepts that form the discipline of chemistry. This symposium will feature research to investigate these understandings across the subdisciplines of chemistry, including general chemistry, and across subjects from students to teachers to textbooks. Abstracts and presentations should reference a particular learning theory, description of research methods, and findings of the research.
7.Diversity in Chemistry: Research, Programs, and Interventions. Organizer: Megan Grunert, Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, 1605 Gilman Hall, Ames, IA 50011, tel: (317) 403-9075, Email:
This symposium will include presentations on current research on women and underrepresented minorities in chemistry, as well as programs and interventions aimed at increasing diversity in chemistry at all educational levels. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods will document the representation of different groups in chemistry along with understanding issues such as persistence, choice-making, and achievement motivation. Having a broad range of perspectives will help facilitate discussions about increasing diversity and being more supportive of underrepresented groups in chemistry.
8.The Ethics of Publishing (Co-sponsored by the ACS Committee on Ethics and the Joint Board-Council Committee on Publications. Organizers: Thomas R. LeBon, El Camino College Compton Center, Compton, CA 90221, Email: ; and George M. Bodner, Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, tel: (765) 494-5313, Email: gmbodner@purdue
This symposium is co-sponsored by the ACS Committee on Ethics and the Joint Board-Council Committee on Publications to examine ethical issues associated with the publication of scholarly papers or books and monographs. It will probe mechanisms publishers use to handle issues such as potential cases of plagiarism, falsification or fabrication of data, or unethical manipulation of figures submitted for publication. It will also address issues such as the development of policies to handle questions of appropriate attribution among lists of a paper’s authors and criteria for retraction of papers before or after they appear.
9.From Scribbles to Symbols:Investigating the Development of Representational Competence. Organizers: Nathaniel Grove, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 601 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403, tel: (513) 593-0341, Email: , and Sonia Miller Underwood, Department of Chemistry, Clemson University,Clemson, SC 29634, Email:
The development of representational competence is a primary goal in many chemistry courses; however, much research has documented the difficulties that students face in doing so.This symposium will focus on research being conducted to investigate how representational competence is developed in students of chemistry and how we can modify instructional practices in order to support students as they develop more meaningful understandings of representational use.
10.General Posters. Organizer: Thomas Bussey, Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy., Mail Stop 4003, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, tel: (702) 895-3743, Email:
11.General Oral Papers. Organizers:Richard C. Bauer, School of Letters and Sciences, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85004-0696, tel: (602) 496-0620, Email: , and Chris Masi, Department of Physical Science, Westfield State University, Westfield, MA 01086, tel: (413) 572-5371, Email:
12. George C. Pimentel Award in Chemical Education: Symposium in Honor of William R. Robinson. Organizer: MarcyTowns, Department of Chemistry, PurdueUniversity, West Lafayette, IN47907, tel: (765) 496-1574, Email:(Invited only)
This year we will honor Dr. William R. Robinson with the ACS Pimentel Award for outstanding contributions to chemical education.Bill contributed to the chemical education of thousands of students nationally through his co-authorship of five editions of General Chemistry from 1980 to 1997. Bill’s research encompassed and impacted a wide range of areas in chemical education research.He published papers on problem-solving, conceptual questions, test-wiseness strategies used by students, and a widely used inventory for general chemistry misconceptions. He wrote a regular column in the Journal of Chemical Education that synthesized research from a broad range of science education journals for use by chemists, faculty heavily involved in teaching chemistry, and chemical education researchers.Bill served as the Chair of the ACS Division of Chemical Education in 2003.He also served the division and field as Chair of the Chemical Education Research Committee.
We will celebrate Bill’s contributions to chemical education at all levels as chemist, author, active member of the ACS Division of Chemical Education, and chemical education research director.
13.High School Program.Organizers: Judie Flint Baumwirt, Science Department Chairperson, Granada Hills Charter High School, 10535 Zelzah Avenue, Granada Hills, CA 91344, tel:(818) 360-2361Ext 405, Email: ;and Paul Shin, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA 91330-8241,tel; (818) 677-6887, Email:
In support of the National ACS Conference theme of “Natural Resources,” the High School Chemistry Day theme will present best practices of “Being Naturally Resourceful.” Hands-on opportunities and instructional resources for new and experienced teachers that areentertaining, engaging and relevant will be provided in a selection of workshops and presentations. The planned program includes guest speakers, activities, and access to vendors, as well as the latest research on renewable energy resources.
14.Impact That General Education Courses Have on the Understanding of the Nature of Science.Organizer: Provi M. Mayo, Department of Chemistry, IPFW, Fort WayneIN57007-0896, tel: (260) 481-6022 and (260) 515-1513, Email:
This symposium will explore how different courses such as traditional, general education and nontraditional chemistry courses affect the students' knowledge of the nature of science. Topics will include a discussion of the effect courses such as the integration of art and chemistry have on students' creativity, independent thought and development of scientific knowledge.
15.International Initiatives in the Study of Chemistry.Organizer: Marina C. Koether, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kennesaw State University, MS 1203, 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, GA, 30144, tel: (770) 423-6166, Email:
NSF supports international collaborations to prepare a globally engaged workforce with understanding of science abroad and to develop a strong network overseas.Examples include REU sites, PIRE and International Research Fellowships.Other instructional avenues include study abroad courses provided by Universities.Students can study chemistry and experience the culture over a course of a few weeks to a whole semester.This symposium will highlight the available routes to prepare a globally engaged workforce in chemistry.
16.K-12/College Partnerships to Improve Chemistry Instruction. Organizers: Martin Brock, Department of Chemistry, EasternKentuckyUniversity, tel: (859) 622-1460, Email: ; and Elizabeth Anne Roland, Science Education, MoreheadStateUniversity, tel: (606) 783-9550, Email:
STEM faculty working through MSP and GK12 partnership with local school districts have generated gains on both sides. They have helped design dual credit and advanced courses. Knowledge of learning progressions has informed introductory and pre-service courses in chemistry. Teachers at all levels have benefited through PD generated by IHE faculty. This work has benefited college readiness and retention programs. It remains difficult to recruit STEM faculty for this work.This symposium will address these partnerships and their outcomes.
17.Meaningful Learning from Laboratory Work: Evidence and assessment. Organizers: Jacob D. Schroeder, Department of Chemistry, 273 Hunter Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, tel (864) 656-1666, Email: ;Todd Gatlin, Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL,tel: (601) 580-3859, Email: ;and Santiago Sandi-Urena, Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL,tel: (813) 974-2144, Email:
The role of the laboratory has long been considered to be of paramount importance for the instruction of science. However, substantial research suggests that very little meaningful learning is actually taking place in the laboratory, particularly when the laboratory follows an expository, or traditional, instructional style. Because of this, many chemical educators have developed new experiments that incorporate learning cycles, the use of inquiry or discovery, and case-based approaches, among others. With these new experiments, however, comes the need for clear and descriptive assessment. This symposium is to serve as a space for contributors to present and discuss not only evidence for meaningful learning in the laboratory, but also reliable assessment instruments to measure this evidence. Research studies of diverse laboratory formats throughout all academic levels are welcomed.
18. NMR Spectroscopy in the Undergraduate Curriculum. Organizers: David Soulsby, Department of
Chemistry, University of Redlands, 1200 East Colton Ave, P.O. Box 3080, Redlands, CA 92374,
(909) 748-8546, Email: ; and Tony S. Wallner, Department of Physical Sciences, BarryUniversity, 11300 NE 2nd Ave., Miami Shores, FL 33161, tel: (305) 899-3433, Email:
With the increasing availability of nuclear magnetic resonance instruments at the undergraduate level, NMR spectroscopy has become an integral component of the chemistry curriculum.The broad array of experiments and technologies now available to a chemist or biochemist for characterizing molecules presents many challenges on how to best integrate NMR spectroscopy into a crowded undergraduate curriculum.These challenges include; creating multiple opportunities for the use of NMR spectroscopy, developing novel experiments, incorporating NMR spectroscopy in undergraduate research, student throughput (direct use and automation), and scheduling.This symposium will examine approaches to incorporating NMR spectroscopy at all levels of the undergraduate curriculum (from General Chemistry to Undergraduate Research) and novel ways to address the challenges of integrating NMR into the undergraduate academic experience.
19.NSF-catalyzed Innovations in the Undergraduate Curriculum.Organizer: Susan Hixson, Division of Undergraduate Education, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA, tel: (703) 292-4623, fax (703) 292-9015, Email: (Invited only)
This symposium will feature speakers from projects funded by NSF that are developing educational materials or strategies aimed at improving the learning of chemistry by undergraduates with diverse backgrounds and career aspirations.
20.Online Resources for Chemical Education. Organizers: Bob Belford, Department of Chemistry, University of Arkansas-Little Rock, 2801 S. University Ave, Little Rock, AR, 72204, tel: (501) 569-8824, Email: ; Bob Hanson, Department of Chemistry, St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Ave., Northfield, MI, 55057, tel: (507) 786-3107, Email: ;and John Penn, Department of Chemistry, WVU, PO Box 6045, Morgantown WV, 26506, tel: (304) 293-3435 x 6452, Email: .
This symposium is seeking presentations from both developers and educators on resources which can be obtained over the internet, and on ways they can be utilized for the teaching and learning of chemistry. We are looking for presentations from the perspectives of development and implementation of web based applications, along with how the open access nature of the web and social networking technologies are influencing the way scientists and educators communicate information, and how that is impacting chemical education. Papers are invited relating to specific web-based applications, creative solutions to web-based issues in the context of chemical education, reports of the impact of web-based applications on pedagogy and learning, or visions of the future. The objective of this symposium is to provide educators and developers opportunities to share resources and experiences.
21.Peer-Reviewed Chemical Education Research. Organizers: Vickie M. Williamson, Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, M.S. 3255, College Station, TX, 77843-3255, tel: (979) 845-4634, Email: ; Sam Pazicni, Department of Chemistry, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, tel: (603) 862-2529, Email: , and Diane Bunce,Chemistry Department, The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20064, tel: (202) 319-5390, Email: ,(Invited only)
This symposium will feature in-depth presentations of completed chemical education research studies that have undergone peer review by a subcommittee of the Chemical Education Research Committee. To be considered for this symposium, please submit a 1000-word abstract to by September 1, 2010. The abstract should describe the study's theoretical basis or rationale, the research questions posed, a brief methodology, analysis, and summary of findings. Individuals selected for participation in this symposium will be notified by October 1, 2010 and invited to submit a 125 word abstract online through PACS. Those not selected for this symposium will be encouraged to submit abstracts to the regular CER symposium. Graduate students and post-docs are encouraged to submit.
22.Process-Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL).Organizer: Richard Moog, Department of Chemistry, Franklin & Marshall College, P.O. Box 3003, Lancaster, PA 17604-3003, tel: (717) 291-3804, Email:
POGIL is a student-centered group learning approach to instruction based on what we currently know about how people learn.POGIL has been implemented in a wide variety of courses at both the high school and college levels.This symposium includes presentations about all aspects of POGIL - including the development of materials, implementation in the classroom and laboratory, and investigations of its effectiveness.
23.Research in Chemical Education. Organizers: Organizers: Barbara Gonzalez, Department of Chemistry, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92834, tel: (657) 278-3870, Email: ;and Kereen Monteyne, Department of Chemistry, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY, tel: (859) 572-5408, Email:
This symposium, sponsored by the CHED Committee on Chemical Education Research, will provide a forum for the exploration of research conducted on the teaching and learning of chemistry. Papers will address four critical aspects of chemical education research: (1) the motivation for the research and the type of problems investigated, (2) the methodology employed to collect and interpret data, (3) the findings of the research and (4) the significance of those results and their potential ramifications for education practice and future research.