when there was a great debate about whether large molecules could even exist. Fischer even went so far as to suggest that substances with molecular weight ...
Chemical Education Today
Especially for High School Teachers by Diana S. Mason
Science—A Social Process so much to learn about grease! Much of today’s organic chemThis issue is particularly interesting because I learned that istry influences what we teach, and while more and more genat the turn of the 20th century there was mutual animosity eral chemistry textbooks use organic between organic and physical molecules to pique student interest, are chemists. Neither group appreyour students well versed enough to unciated or accepted the methods derstand basic organic nomenclature? of the other. I had heard about CCA! 7 Palacios (pp 890–892) describes how to the troubles of analytical construct an Octachem model to help chemists in getting accepted as Flames and them begin to learn basic organic naming. a separate division in the acaExplosions! Many teachers also use the Molecule demic world, but I never realof the Week (MOTW)—usually organic ized that organic chemists had compounds/macromolecules—from the to face some of the same issues. ACS Web site to stimulate students interWhy this is important personest. By copying and pasting a simple ally is that I see similar resisJavaScript code, you can add MOTW to tance by current academic your own Web site.1 Try out the MOTW chemists who fail to fully accept chemical education as a Archive, 2 or even suggest your own viable research area. MOTW. The American Chemical Then I learned about the Society’s “new vision” is “Improving golden age of classical organic people’s lives through the transforming chemistry from Bernal’s article power of chemistry.” Much of this power Above: boric acid in methanol. Below: heating white (pp 870–879). The time was is going to come from knowing about orphosphorus with oxygen. around 1860–1900, prior to ganic chemistry and sparking the interthe turn of the 20th century ests of your students by giving them an when there was a great debate about whether large molecules open-ended approach to delve into how various models work could even exist. Fischer even went so far as to suggest that (see Gimbel and Wedlock, pp 880–882). substances with molecular weight higher than 5000 probably did not exist (p 872), and von Baeyer stated, “the field of Announcements organic chemistry is exhausted….” Not true! See Bernal’s article to learn how the concept of macromolecule developed. The seventh volume in the Chemistry Comes Alive! He makes reading about colloidal behavior and the aggre(CCA!) series is available. It highlights flames and explosions gate theory of “micelles” very interesting. As an aside, Bernal and was showcased at the recent National Science Teachers tells us how James B. Conant championed teaching the hisAssociation national meeting in Anaheim. To find out how tory behind science lessons (p 870). to order your very own copy of this newest volume, go to While much of this June issue is devoted to the latest in page 837 or use the order form inside the back cover—or organic chemistry, don’t despair if organic is not your calling. check out the JCE Online Store at http://store.jce.divched.org. There are many other articles that will be of interest to you. (CCA! 6, Laboratory Techniques, is highlighted on page 835.) Knowing the origins of the terminology we use is important Have you completed your registration for the upcoming and also provides great stories to pass along to your students. 19th BCCE at Purdue, July 30–August 3? Registration If you are interested in the origin of the term allotrope, see opened the first week of May…so it’s time to complete your William Jensen’s Ask the Historian column (p 838). If you registration and reserve your living accommodations in West have questions about the historical origins of a symbol, name, Lafayette, IN. See http://www.chem.purdue.edu/bcce for all the concept, or experimental procedure, all you have to do is ask necessary details (p 844). See you in Boilermaker land! Bill Jensen! (Jensen’s contact information is on p 839.) Notes Language of Organic Chemistry Organic chemistry is a fascinating subject, providing us with many useful products that have some very interesting names. The articles by Donahue (pp 862–869) and Bernal (pp 870–879) have given me a new appreciation for the soapy concoction we know as grease. I never knew that there was
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1. Support Your Molecule of the Week!—American Chemical Society. http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/feature_ent.html ?id=449f0758509d11d7e3c56ed9fe800100 (accessed Apr 2006). 2. Archive MOTW: chemistry.org—American Chemical Society. http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/acsdisplay.html?DOC= HomeMolecule%5Carchive%5Cmotw_archive.html (accessed Apr 2006).
