Recent Workshops:
Strengthening High School Chemistry Education through Teacher Outreach Programs:
A Workshop to the Chemical Sciences Roundtable
In August 2008, the Chemical Sciences Roundtable held a public workshop to bring together representatives from government, industry, academia, scientific societies, and foundation groups who are involved in educational outreach programs geared toward in-service high school teachers of chemistry. The goal of the workshop was to inform the members of the CSR about approaches to improving student achievement through efforts to strengthen the skills of high school teachers of chemistry and to explore whether or not these approaches are effective. The workshop covered the current status of high school chemical education, provide examples of public, private, and industry outreach programs, and explore how to assess whether or not current outreach programs are meeting chemical education needs.
Bio-inspired Fundamental Chemistry for Energy
Faced with the steady rise in energy costs, dwindling fossil fuel supplies, and the need to maintain a healthy environment-exploration of alternative energy sources is essential for meeting energy needs. Biological systems employ a variety of efficient ways to collect, store, use, and produce energy. By understanding the basic processes of biological models, scientists may be able to create systems that mimic biomolecules and produce energy in an efficient and cost effective manner. On May 14-15, 2007 a group of chemists, chemical engineers, and others from academia, government, and industry participated in a workshop sponsored by the Chemical Sciences Roundtable to explore how bio-inspired chemistry can help solve some of the important energy issues the world faces today. The workshop featured presentations and discussions on the current energy challenges and how to address them, with emphasis on both the fundamental aspects and the robust implementation of bio-inspired chemistry for energy.
Exploring Opportunities in Green Chemistry and Engineering Education, 2006
Going green is a hot topic in both chemistry and chemical engineering. Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. Green engineering is the development and commercialization of economically feasible industrial processes that reduce the risk to human health and the environment. This book summarizes a workshop convened by the National Research Council to explore the widespread implementation of green chemistry and chemical engineering concepts into undergraduate and graduate education and how to integrate these concepts into the established and developing curricula. Speakers highlighted the most effective educational practices to date and discussed the most promising educational materials and software tools in green chemistry and engineering. The goal of the workshop was to inform the Chemical Sciences Roundtable, which provides a science-oriented, apolitical forum for leaders in the chemical sciences to discuss chemically related issues affecting government, industry, and universities.
