NEACT CENTRAL DIVISION

Ms. PATRICIA BRANDL, MEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL

MEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS

CHAIR 2005-2007

Reported by Andrew Corcoran

            The 503rd NEACT-Central Division Meeting was held in the science department of Medford High School, Medford, Massachusetts on Saturday, May 13, 2006.  The high school is located off Winthrop Street in the City of Medford, a suburb about 6 miles north of Boston.   The pleasantly landscaped high school, with plenty of open space, sits well back from Winthrop Street providing plenty of accessible parking, although a Japanese language institute being held on this Saturday morning caused a bit of a parking pinch.  There were approximately 20 attendees at this divisional meeting.

 

8:30 a.m. – 9:20 a.m. Registration, refreshments, and colleague greetings and interactions

 

9:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

            The guest speaker in this time slot was Dr. Thomas C. Hsu, founder of Cambridge Physics Outlet, and the topic of his presentation was Atomic Structure.  Dr. Hsu holds a B.S. from State University of New York at Stony Brook, majoring in physics and mechanical engineering, and a Ph.D. from MIT in applied plasma physics.  He has worked at Eastman Kodak and Zerox where he developed some firsts.  He left research for work in education, having broad teaching experience from elementary grades through graduate school.   He mentioned that he taught in Boston and also at Cambridge Rindge & Latin.   Tom is the author of five published middle and high school science programs in physics and physical science.  Two are recent publications: Integrated Physics and Chemistry, and Investigations, Foundations of Physics.  He is presently working on a book on nutrition and how the body works.  Dr. Hsu leads workshops in hands-on instruction in basic physics concepts now that 9th and 10th grade students in Massachusetts are in the new instructional sequence of physics first.

            CPOScience (Cambridge Physics Outlet) was founded in 1994 by Dr. Hsu.  CPOScience (formerly known as Cambridge Physics Outlet) is based in Peabody, MA.  A major fuction of CPOScience is the design and manufacturing of lab equipment and instrumentation for teaching physics and math.  Dr. Hsu stated that toys are designed to help students pick up chemical concepts.  Talking about the atoms in different ways helps to get the students interest.  He mentioned Professor Richard Feynman relative to the importance of a proper understanding the atom. At this point, he mentioned that he finds the use of a guitar very instructive since he can use it to demonstrate a standing wave.  Keep in mind, he stated, that it took the brightest minds 2000 years to come up with the model of the atom that we teach.  A website was given that may be of interest: www.cposcience.com.

            A handout was given to the attendees which was a periodic table with the number of isotopes listed for the elements, not their average atomic mass.  Some of the elements, of which there are fewer in total, have even numbers of isotopes.  The energy levels in the nucleus are indicated and how the number of energy levels is related to the stability of the element.

            Attendees were grouped into teams of 4 and proceeded to play one of the games presented by Dr. Hsu.  In this game, the periodic table handout containing the different element isotopes was to be used as a guide.  Each member of the quartet was given the following colored marbles: 6 blue (neutrons), 5 red (protons), and 5 yellow (electrons).   The rules for making a real atom were:

1.     Red – used to obtain atomic number.

2.     Red plus blue – to obtain the mass number.

3.     The number of red (protons) and yellow (electrons) must be equal.

The goal – to get students to understand the structure of the periodic table.  Some isotopes that were formed within a team using the numbers of particles listed above were:

                        He-3                B-11                Ne-20              Cl-35  

                        Li-6                 N-14                Al-27               Cl-37

                        Be-9                O-16                Si-30               Ar-40

                                                                        P-31                K-41

                                                                        S-32                Ca-42

One member of the quartet can win with only one red, one yellow, or 1 blue left. Also, a participant can trade, but will lose a turn.  The game can be played with an initial larger number of marbles, but it will take longer to produce a winner.  Students learn the technique on the first try, and on the second try, they learn strategies to block others.  Of course, others pick up on the strategy aspect of the game, which then makes it more interesting.  Dr. Hsu mentioned that he thought up this game after playing tiddly winks.

            If a student makes something not on the periodic table, this could represent an unstable situation leading to the introduction of radioactivity.

            Dr. Hsu mentioned that when he first went into education, he kept saying to the students didnt you listen?  After a while he realized the students did listen but had no place to put it.  One has to tie in new information with something that is already there – kids are listening but need this tie in.  He advocates letting the student work out a solution after giving some basic instruction.  Dont give out answers, even when it is demanded by the students.

            Game 2.   Once again, participants formed into groups with four people per group.  Dr. Hsu handed out a deck of cards, each card in the deck had one side printed with instructions such as, add 2 electrons, add 2 protons, add 3 neutrons, etc. Each group member was dealt five cards.  The previously issued isotope periodic table was used along with any number of the various color coded marbles.  We were told ahead of time that we wouldnt have time to complete the game.  Whoever is the first to accumulate 10 points is the winner.  Scoring rules were given:

                        1 point for making an atom neutral (protons = electrons)

1 point for making a stable nucleus as shown on the given periodic table, (where reds + blues = number on the given periodic table).       

3 point for making a perfect atom

0 point for getting nothing right.

            If a participant loses a turn because directions on the card cannot produce an appropriate atom, discard the card and draw another.  Once a card is used it is discarded.  If a card has only one proton, it is worth 1 point.

            Game 3.  In this game no cards were used, but again use was made of marbles and the periodic table indicating rows for electron placement.  For example, in building oxygen atom with marbles, two empty holes were evident in the second row.   On another periodic table, one made a hydrogen atom.   An electron was taken from this table and placed in one of the two holes associated with the oxygen.  When students play this game, they learn that this is a chemical bond.  In general, they learn that sharing or trading electrons is associated with chemical bond formation.  Continuing to fill in the vacancy around the oxygen atom gives the formula H2O.  Another example involved a beryllium atom and an oxygen atom.   Beryllium atom involved 4 red marbles, 5 blue marbles and 4 yellow marbles with 2 yellow in the second layer.  One can see that taking the outer 2 electrons from beryllium and placing them in the 2 empty holes on oxygen leads to the production of BeO.

            At this point, Dr. Hsu cautioned the attendees to stay away from the mole concept because it gets in the way of what is happening.  Talk in terms of the number of atoms or electrons.  For instance, students can readily see that two electrons go from beryllium to oxygen in the above example.  He mentioned that in new periodic tables, moles are purposely left out and that atomic mass units are used.   As an example, he used Li 6.94.  Giving the percent of Li-6 and Li-7, one can readily arrive at the 6.94 figure.  When first teaching stoichiometry, stick with grams.   Mole concept can be introduced later.  Moving up to more complicated equations such as

            CH4   +    2O2    CO2   +   2H2O, he claims students see this expression as a continuation of his model approach.

            Bette Bridges mentioned that she still prefers the CHEMS approach which historically follows the development of modern chemistry and then goes into theory later in the course.

            Dr. Hsu gave the website www.cpo.com if one is interested in getting the materials used in this presentation.  He stated that he has left CPO but still has a good relationship with the company.  If one orders the textbook, the equipment is free.

            At the close of the presentation, Dr. Hsu gave some opinions on the sequencing of science topics in schools.  He believes that modern biology should come after the teaching of chemistry since modern biology textbooks deal with DNA, molecular kinetics, nutrition, etc.  It was stated that 20 Nobel physicists recommend putting physics first (in the ninth grade).  The physics course should be written like the popular IPS course but emphasize the atomic model of matter and energy changes.  Within the next ten years, Dr. Hsu claims this new sequencing will be the norm.  As already mentioned in the beginning, Dr. Hsu conducts inquiry-based workshops in physics preparing for this turn of events.

            Various attendees gave their experiences and views at this end point in the presentation.  Pat Armitage mentioned that she has taught IPS for many years and considers it a great course.  Bette Bridges agreed but mentioned that IPS requires a great deal of preparation time.   Many were in agreement that earth science is a good 8th grade science course.  Dr. Hsu mentioned that he has just finished writing a physics- first book but expressed the need for a higher level physics course later in school.  He further states that biology majors in college need a physics minor which doesnt include research physics.  In the fall of 2006 there will be an on-line course on physics for non-physics teachers.  It will be a 3 credit course ($1200 for credit).  The course will be available on DVD for $250.  Information on this course will be sent out by Dr. Hsu in the near future.

 

11:18 a.m. – 106th Annual Meeting

            The 106th Annual Meeting was called to order at 11:18 a.m. in the same room at Medford High School as Dr. Hsus presentation.  Faith Hughes read the minutes from the Recessed 105th Annual Meeting, August 3, 2005.  After three corrections, Tom Tsu to Tom Hsu; webmaster change to greatly expanded; Listserve to Listserves; the minutes were voted on and accepted.  Marie updated the membership situation mentioning that two new members were signed up today and one re-upped.  There was no curators report.   Editor of the Report, yours truly, indicated that three divisional meeting have been written up.  Some present suggested that the Report be sent to the Journal of Chemical Education.  Newsletter Editor, Judith Douville, arrived too late to give her report after being lost while traveling to the meeting.  Journal Editor, Judith Kelley handed out copies of her annual report.  She mentioned that Norma Gallagher is stepping down but that David Crockett will take over the position of Circulation Editor.

            Division chairs reports:  David Crockett is working on the next meeting, the Northern Division.  No firm plans yet, could possibly be held in southern New Hampshire making it more accessible for members.   Pat Brandl was out preparing the lunch.  Anthony and Laura were not present.  Laura will be giving up the Western Division Chair.

            Webmaster report:  Steve mentioned that reports of the executive committee shouldnt be in the Newsletter.  NEACT website is now ten years old.  A major expansion recently took place with the help of Brian Caruso who designed the new site.  Steve is busy with many other tasks and hasnt been able to post some additions to the website.  Only 56 users have signed up for Listserve, hopefully, this can be upped to include the total NEACT membership.  Steve mentioned that the recent death of long time NEACT member, Roy Upham was posted there.  Bette Bridges suggested that a prominent item be placed in the Newsletter encouraging membership to sign up.  Ken Brody suggested that members use NEACT with their e-mail address, e.g. parmitage@neact.org.  Harvey Gendreau was for automatically putting all members into

Listserve.  Apropos to this, Kathy Siok introduced a motion that all members be put into Listserve unless they specifically opt out.  The motion passed and setting a date for this will be discussed at the August summer conference.  Steve will put in the information if he gets the appropriate e-mails from Jerusha.

Pat Armitage updated the financial condition of the Timm Award Fund.  Funds are presently in a CD earning interest at 3.20% which matures in November 2006.

Marie, after receiving ballots for the latest election, announced the winners:

            President-elect – Laura Smutnick

            Recording secretary – Faith Hughes (until a replacement is found)

            Treasurer – Dick Boucher

            Southern Chair – Anthony Fascia

            Western Division (Write-in candidate) – Sandy Pratt

Two positions need to be filled in the Trustees of Endowment Fund and Timm Fund (these are 3-year terms).  Other positions open are in Committee of Nominations and Elections (these are 3-year terms).  This will be brought up at the August summer meeting.

Marie made the following appointments:

            Newsletter Editor – Judith Douville

            Journal Editor – Judith Kelley

            Editor of the Report – Andrew Corcoran

            Webmaster – Steve Stepenuck

            Publicity Agent – None

            Auditor – Bette Bridges (after volunteering when informed position was open)

            Membership Curator – None

            Curator of Archives – John Swistak

            Registrar of (CEU) and (PDP) – Laura Smutnick

            Resident Agent – John Swistak

Committee appointments included:

            Necrology committee presently needs two members.  Nancy Graves continues her membership.

Richard Boucher, Treasurer, gave his report.  Total assets of $21,107.11 consist of a CD for $11,134.75 and a checking account of $9,972.36.  Bonding was mentioned and a new carrier is needed.  Richard is working on finishing last years audited report.  A new checking account will be needed.  A Massachusetts non-profit charter was renewed for 2005.  Information on a needed federal charter will be sought from past treasurer, Morgan Hanna.  Pat Armitage pointed out a need for a meeting of the Budget Committee before the August summer conference. 

Attention now turned to the upcoming summer conference and the Timm Award.  Kathy Siok is looking for candidates for the Timm Award.  Membership in NEACT is not a requisite but certainly is preferred.  This years awardee is Dave Olney, a former Lexington High School chemistry teacher, who has an extensive history of service to NEACT including articles in the Journal.

   Judith Kelley mentioned that the summer program to be held at Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA is almost complete.  Kathy Siok will e-mail information to Steve Stepenuck for posting on the website.  Bridgewater State College has grown considerably in the last couple of years.   Most of the summer conference meetings will be held in the Moakley Center.   There is considerable construction going on near the dorm to be used by the attendees.   The dorm is very modern, comfortable, air conditioned, and next door to the dining facility.  Bette Bridges, who teaches chemistry in the area, mentioned how helpful the college is especially in loaning equipment.  A full social program can be held on the school property.   The theme of the summer conference will be Green Chemistry.  Books on Green Chemistry will be available, the cost subsidized by the American Chemical Society.  As usual, a t-shirt has been designed relative to the conference.  Costs projections are $260 for a double room, and $285 for a single room.  Richard Boucher asked if one can receive college credits by attending.  Kathy Siok said she would look into it with the people at Bridgewater State.  Last year college credit was available but nobody took advantage of it.  Apparently it is complicated to get permission to give college credits.  It was pointed out that in Rhode Island one needs 15 contact hours to get a single CEU.

Steve Stepenuck mentioned the passing away of two well known NEACT members, Roy Upham and Rev. Michael Custer. 

As the meeting neared an end, Pat Brandl said she will send a letter of thanks to Dr. Hsu.  A thank you letter will also be sent to Pat Brandl for arranging this meeting. 

At 12:33 p.m., the meeting was recessed until August 9, 2006.

For the cost of $10, attendees ate lunch in the meeting room.   Pat arranged for a large selection of cold cuts, cheeses, rolls, breads, lettuce, various drinks, fruits, and assorted desserts such as cheese cake, chocolate cake, and cookies.  Of course, socializing occurred in this time frame before everyone went on their way.