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Chemistry Conference Helps Teachers Get Real
Chemistry Demonstration
Bob Becker of Kirkwood High
School demonstrates how to
make chemistry real
For the preeminent training center for chemistry teachers in Illinois, the training does not end when students graduate.  High school chemistry teachers from across the state traveled to Illinois State University to learn how to make chemistry real for their students during the annual meeting of the Illinois Association of Chemistry Teachers (IACT).  Professor Willy Hunter, Secretary-Treasurer of the organization and local host for the annual meeting, says that "In our department, we are focused on life-long learning for all our students. In the Chemistry Teacher Education program, that means from pre-service teachers through beginning chemistry teachers to very experienced teachers. Our involvement and promotion of IACT matches our belief in long-term professional development of teachers."

The conference, hosted by the Department of Chemistry's Teacher Education Program, is designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas among high school chemistry teachers and drew 150 attendees from across the state. Most of the presentations are given by members to share effective chemical demonstrations and approaches to difficult-to-teach topics. 

The keynote session featured Bob Becker of Kirkwood High School demonstrating how abstract topics can be made "real" for the students. Other sessions included Special Education, Harnessing Energy in Chemistry, Inquiry-based Chemistry, Laboratory Safety, Nanoscience Challenges and Promises. Many of the sessions include hands-on or interactive activities that can be similarly used in laboratory and classroom settings.

ISU Professors Otis Rothenberger and Jim Webb presented "Six Points of Pre-20th Century Chemistry History that Belong in the Curriculum," illustrating key points from the development of modern chemistry in the 18th and 19th centuries. Attendees of the conference use these demonstrations to help students understand the intellectual underpinnings of modern chemistry.

The conference allows students in training at ISU to meet and learn from practicing teachers. According to Department Chair Frank Shaw, "The ISU Chemistry Department is a preeminent trainer of chemistry teachers for the state of Illinois and beyond. It is also involved through Dr. Hunter and the College of Education in outreach to teachers in communities across the state. Hosting IACT is an important component of our service activities and brings chemistry teaching majors into contact with in-service teachers and their perspectives on teaching chemistry."
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