2012 California Science Education Conference

Designed for science teachers and inquisitive minds, this lecture will discuss the elements and molecules involved in the chemistry of life. This lecture will present the structures of common chemicals beyond those typically found in science textbooks and describe how minor changes in chemical structures can dramatically change the chemical and physical properties of a molecular structure.  Learn how chemists are molecular architects who design and build molecules for materials, medicines, and energy. Using several recent case studies from the news, this lecture will also discuss the way that chemistry and changes in molecular structure connect to business, technology, and daily life. You will discover the following: What do bullet-proof Kevlar and polyester have in common? What do sunscreen, tonic water, and salmon have in common? How does understanding molecular structure and oxidation chemistry prevent the recall of a popular toy (and prevent children from being exposed to a dangerous chemical known as GHB)? How much Prozac is in the drinking water?  Finally, this lecture will also include several examples of projects where art and writing have been combined with science for unique and fun teaching and learning experiences. This lecture will change the way you (and your students) look at the world around you!