1.) You've spoken about your goals for raising the visibility of chemistry in America. One of those goals is envisioning the state of chemistry 10 years from now. Can you share your thoughts on how chemistry will change our world by 2015?
Look at what chemists are working on: new materials with previously unseen properties; new medicines that reduce the pain and cost of disease; new approaches to harvesting sunlight for energy and better, more efficient devices to use that energy. We’ll see breakthroughs in at least two of these three areas, on behalf of the American Chemical Society, and in others too numerous to mention. It will be younger, too. As my generation retires there will be lots of opportunity for new graduates.
2.) If you had to describe the mission of the American Chemical Society and National Chemistry Week to the everyday man or woman on the street, how would you describe it?
The American Chemical Society’s job is to advance chemistry and in so doing, bring benefits to society. For National Chemistry Week, it’s to get our members and kids in their local areas having fun with chemistry and learning a little about those benefits.
3.) What originally got you interested in the science and business of chemistry?
My high school teacher, Bob Conard, in Crown Point, Indiana. His enthusiasm was infectious, and I caught it.
4.) What types of things do we, as everyday Americans, take for granted that have resulted from all of the research and development in the field of chemistry?
If you can touch it--it’s chemistry!
The color of your nail polish
The plastic container that your salad came in
The rubber in your tires
The silicon chip at the center of your video game
The chicken noodle soup that you had for dinner
The flea & tick drops that you put on your pets
The medications that stopped your pain and helped you heal
5.) What would you say to a young person who is interested in pursuing a career in chemistry?
No matter what it is, find your passion and do what you love. If chemistry is what you love, do it and give it your all. That’s what I did.
6.) What are your favorite examples of "everyday chemistry" that teachers and young people can experience together to highlight this interesting field of study. As a young person, I remember the example of mixing baking soda with white vinegar -- and the fizzing surprise that follows!
I did that too! Our kids website (www.chemistry.org/kids) is loaded with hundreds of safety-tested experiments and activities that children can explore with their parents' help. Some examples that fit with the theme of the Joy of Toys (the theme of National Chemistry Week 2005) include Pop Rockets that use an effervescent antacid tablet and water for fuel. There’s also one that uses a film canister for a body of the rocket. Or you can make glitter slime made from Borax and glue.
And don’t forget the TRULY everyday chemistry—cooking.
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