Chemical Educational Foundation says teaching youth about chemistry is key

How's your community chemistry?

28 February 2008 00:00  [Source: ICB]

Correction: In the ICIS Chemical Business story headlined "Chemical Education Foundation says teaching youth about chemistry is key," please read the headline as "Chemical Educational Foundation says..." In the byline, fifth paragraph, "youth programs" article title and biographical details for John Rice, please read Chemical Educational Foundation, instead of Chemical Education Foundation. In the 12th paragraph, please read the National Association of Chemical Distributors' Responsible Distribution Process and the American Chemistry Council (ACC) Responsible Care program, instead of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) Responsible Distribution and Responsible Care programs. A corrected story follows.

Education on chemistry must start early to have an impact. See what options you have to boost knowledge among the young

John Rice/Chemical Educational Foundation

EDUCATIONAL METHODS and priorities create debate on a multitude of levels. Discussions range from the role of athletics and music in a rounded curriculum, to which and how many languages should be used to teach the core subject matter. Yet the question of where we will find the next generation of chemists seems to have fallen off our collective radar screen.

The importance of this question is enormous. One needs only to look around to see the significant advancements in medicine, technology, and the basic standards of living that have been made through the science of chemistry and chemicals. Yet there are great concerns regarding current and future generations' lack of knowledge and interest in the sciences.

This lack of scientific knowledge and understanding has led, and will continue to lead, to a shortage of chemists, engineers, and scientists, and an increasingly unfavorable business environment.

Consider this - a child in the eighth grade, aged 13-14 years old, with little or no understanding of chemistry or chemicals today, will be given the responsibily to vote in five years. As members of the industry, there is one question that we have to ask ourselves: what can we do about it?

INVEST IN THE FUTURE

We need to focus our efforts on promoting the study of chemistry among the young. Investing in science education is vital to the future of the industry, its affiliated organizations, and our communities as a whole. The US' Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF) programs are focused on kindergarten-to-eighth grade (K-8) students and their educators.

Increased exposure to science education in these formative years will improve the general understanding of, participation in, and acceptance towards chemistry, chemicals, and the chemical industry itself.

Simply, it is more effective to create understanding and appreciation of science in the young, rather than to attempt to develop such knowledge later in life.

Using CEF programs serves as an effective method of bridging the chemical industry and community gap, and helps provide a countermeasure against negative perceptions created by misunderstanding and fear.

The use of CEF education materials can also provide an avenue for constructive dialogue between industry and the community.

Funded by members of the chemical distribution and manufacturing industries, as well as affiliated organizations, and individuals, CEF provides programs for companies to introduce to the communities in which they do business.

In turn, these programs create tremendous community outreach opportunities for industry members, positioning them as engaged members of those communities.

These programs can also help companies comply with industry codes of practice, such as the National Association of Chemical Distributors' Responsible Distribution Process, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) Responsible Care and Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufactuers Association (SOCMA) ChemStewards programs. Most importantly, they help ensure that students are being given an extra boost when it comes to science education.

There are many ways and levels that chemical industry and community members can get involved to promote chemistry education among the young.

Conducting an experiment in a classroom, distributing activity guides to children of company employees, nominating someone for the CEF's award program, championing a local-level academic competition, or ­simply contributing financially - all are options you have to improve the chemistry within your community.

CHEMICAL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION YOUTH PROGRAMS

Through the CEF You Be the Chemist (YBTC) programs, the foundation has created several educational initiatives aimed at engaging kindergarten-to-eighth grade (K-8 educators and students in science education. They include:

YBTC Activity Guides: Lesson Plans for Making Chemistry Fun - Two activity guides, for grades K-4 and 5-8 (available together or separately), designed to make chemistry easier to teach for educators and more engaging for students.

YBTC Challenge: An exciting academic chemistry competition that engages grade 5-8 students across the US in learning important chemistry concepts and discoveries.

YBTC Lesson Plan Competition: A competition that awards prizes to educators for their innovative teaching techniques and makes them available to other educators.

The CEF is an internationally recognized, award winning, nonprofit organization based in Washington D.C. Its mission is to promote the value, importance, and benefits of chemistry education and chemicals.

John Rice joined the Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF) in March 2003 and serves as executive director. He is responsible for creating programs and initiatives that benefit the chemical industry.

For more information, visit www.chemed.org

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