Bioinorganic models of the manganese Mn4 cluster are important not only as aids in understanding the structure and function of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC), but also in developing artificial water-oxidation catalysts. The mechanism of water oxidation by photosystem II (PSII) is thought to involve the formation of a high-valent terminal Mn-oxo…

A very simple strategy for the solution of the Schrodinger equation of a particle moving in one dimension subjected to a generic potential is presented. This strategy is implemented in a computer program called Kmonodium, which is free and distributed under the General Public License (GPL).

Academic departments and institutions are increasingly seeking professional advice through external reviews to enhance their curriculum, assess programs, develop research initiatives, and establish strategic plans. The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) that has expanded its consulting program to provide a wider range of services that meet…

A new sympathetic ink that produces a violet color upon development was developed to develop chemical demonstrations using consumer chemicals. The demonstration was to have a simple, relatively safe reagent system that could be used to make a brightly colored, highly visible "magic sign" for use in science outreach programs.

The electric pickle is a classic demonstration that is widely used in both high school and college settings to explain the general principles behind atomic emission. The demonstration fails to provide an interesting multi-line spectrum.

"Match Game" is a simple game designed through which students could learn the names of all lab equipment and glassware that they would encounter during the school year. The game leads into a student-based discussion during which they carefully think about proper uses for each piece of labware.

An interactive classroom activity that includes two-step reaction of unwrapping and eating chocolate candies is described which brings not only the reaction intermediate, but also the reactants and products into macroscopic view. The qualitative activation barriers of both steps can be adjusted independently.

The GC-MS profiles of whole body extracts from the nurses and foragers of Apis mellifera ligustica bees was compared, which showed that the extracts of foragers (older bees) contained levels of ethyl oleate (EO) almost three times than found in nurses (young bees). The results show that the ethyl oleate plays a key role in the bees' mechanism of…

Researchers in the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University are developing a new approach for fighting cancer, based on nanoshells that can both detect and destroy cancerous cells. The aim is to locate the cells, and be able to make a rational choice about whether they need to be destroyed and if possible they should immediately be sent for…

The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) hosts an annual undergraduate research poster session on Capitol Hill to communicate to the US Congress the importance of undergraduate research and to express thanks for the federal funding of undergraduate research programs. At the "Posters on the Hill" event held on 19 April 2005 in the Rayburn House…

A Presidential symposium explored strategies for making a successful career transition from a variety of other occupations to teaching high school chemistry. Symposium presenters who had moved to teaching high school chemistry discussed their background and the challenges they faced, providing a unique insight into their experiences as…

Annis Hapkiewicz received the 2005 James Bryant Conant Award in High School Chemistry Teaching at the 229th American Chemical Society National Meeting held in March 2005 in San Diego, California. Hapkiewicz discusses the Conant Award and his successful teaching career.

Ocean Optics offers laser-induced breakdown spectrometer systems (LIBS) that can be used to identify light to heavy metals in a variety of sample types and geometries in environmental analysis applications. LIBS are versatile, real-time, high-resolution analyzers for qualitative analysis, in less than one second, of every element in solids,…

An effective way to teach chemistry is to examine the substances used in daily life from a pedagogical viewpoint, from the overlap of science, technology, and society (STS). A study aims to engage students in the topic of moth repellents and to encourage them to investigate the chemistry in this familiar product using a set of questions.

A study uses a thought-provoking, pencil-and-paper activity to aid students in writing organic reaction mechanisms. Organic and functional groups that constitute the formulas of organic and inorganic reactants, ionic intermediates, and products are presented as building blocks, which must be placed correctly in a given puzzle so that they bind…