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General chemistry courses are often the foundation for the study of other science disciplines and upper-level chemistry concepts. Students who take introductory chemistry courses are more often from health and science-related fields than chemistry. As such, the content taught and assessed in general chemistry courses is envisioned as building blocks for concepts in other science courses and across many science disciplines. American Chemical Society (ACS) exams are developed by committees of expert chemists and serve as representative artifacts of content valued by the chemistry community. Before an exam is released, items developed by an examination committee undergo trial testing, and items deemed too easy, too hard, or not discriminating based on item statistics are removed. Analysis of content coverage from items on multiple released general chemistry ACS exams from the past decade and their associated unreleased trial tests revealed content areas where few exam items were written. Content coverage was analyzed by aligning exam items to the ACS Anchoring Concepts Content Map for General Chemistry. By comparing released and unreleased trial items, we found that many of the content coverage gaps on released exams are the result of a lack of items developed about these concepts. These conceptual holes warrant a discussion of whether what is being assessed is what is desired to be assessed and how curricular improvement and assessment reform efforts address content coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemistry has served a unique historical role among the sciences by not only studying the world around us, but also creating the chemicals we study and use. The impacts of chemistry are accordingly more profound on earth and societal systems, and helping our students understand both the benefits and potential hazards of chemicals and chemical processes represents a core responsibility of chemistry education. Establishing an overarching learning outcome for chemistry courses presents a flexible approach for embracing the challenge posed by our unique history and catalyzing future contributions to society through the students we educate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of high-quality assessments can be an intensive process. At the American Chemical Society Examinations Institute (ACS-EI), this follows a general process of test design and content mapping, item construction, trial testing, item analysis, and final test setting. The item analysis portion of this procedure is an important step in using field-testing results to select the best items. This selection is based on validity analysis by experts, both field-test users and test writers, and by students in field testing. The traditional item analysis of the ACS-EI now includes a differential item functioning analysis with subgroups by gender when a sufficient data set is available. The results of this analysis from six trial tests were further evaluated by both content and format. Trends of specific content areas and by format of items reveal that classes of items favored one subgroup over another in at least four instances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A biography is presented of Martha Whiteley, a British chemist and academic at the Imperial College in London, England in the early 20th century. Topics include her education, career as a chemistry teacher, editor, and researcher, and her promotion of equal treatment for women in the field of chemistry which included advocating the admission of women into the Fellowship of the Chemical Society.

The article offers news briefs related to chemical education in the U.S. A Web Seminar headed by John Moore and Lynn Diener will be held at the Chemical Education Digital Library (ChemEd DL) on July 1, 2009. The "Journal of Chemical Education" will participate in the ChemEd conference to be held in Virginia from August 2-6, 2009. William E. Synder has received the American Chemical Society (ACS) Division of Chemical Education Central Region Award for Excellence in High School Teaching.

The article presents the report of the Task Force on Hiring and Promotion in Chemical Education which concentrates on the professional status of chemical education faculty members. It reveals that the American Chemical Society (ACS) has given the task force the duty to produce a "white paper" that would provide guidance on professional expectations and responsibilities to the candidates for faculty positions. It also suggests future investigation focusing on the issues related to academic staff positions in chemical education. A table that shows the previous reports related to Chemical Education faculty, and the department and institution guide as well as the candidate guide are also presented.

The article examines the differences of the two versions of the American Chemical Society (ACS) 2002 standardized multiple-choice examination in first-semester general chemistry. According to the authors, both questions and answers were ordered differently in the blue and gray versions. They observe some version-dependent differences in student performance that seem to relate to the order of the answers. They add that performance on multiple-choice examination questions can depend strongly on the placement of questions and answers, with the answer order probably being the more important factor in the observations.

The article reports that the Committee on Professional Training (CPT) has approved the American Chemical Society (ACS) guidelines for the approval of undergraduate chemistry programs as a means for promoting excellence in chemistry education. The guidelines have been modified to reflect changes in chemistry and education. They highlight the curriculum for an ACS-certified degree, which consists of introductory course work, foundation work and in-depth course work to provide a deeper, specialized or multidisciplinary experience. Other details of the guidelines, including the goals, institutions, faculty and infrastructure requirements, are provided.

The article presents information on the American Chemical Society's (ACS) March 2007 National Meeting held in Chicago, Illinois. It is reported that the ACS Division of Chemical Education Executive Committee Meeting discussed several reports including one by Glenn Crosby on the endowment for high school teacher regional awards. ACS President Katie Hunt reviewed her work on sustainability at the ACS Council Meeting.

The article offers news briefs concerning updates in chemistry and chemical societies in the U.S. The "Journal of Chemical Education" will feature topics concerning Earth Day in its February 2007 issue. Thomas A. Holme, director of the American Chemical Society, has received the 2006 Great Lakes regional Award for Volunteer Service. The College Chemistry Consultants Service is now housed within the American Chemical Society Division of Chemical Education to offer academic assistance to schools.

The article presents information on some of the activities of the American Chemical Society (ACS) division of chemical education. Richard Jones and Uni Susskind is appointed by the Executive Committee to the Board of Trustees of the Exams Institute. James Birk and Barbara Sitzman is appointed to the Board of Publication, which oversees the "Journal of Chemical Education" for the Division. The Executive Committee received a report on the activities of the CHED Task Force to produce a white paper on the hiring, promotion, and retention of chemical education faculty. The Task Force was established at the Spring 2005 ACS meeting. There will be presentations and discussions at the 2006 BCCE and Fall 2006 ACS meetings to address these issues. The Executive Committee also discussed the participation of its members in the larger conversation within ACS surrounding multidisciplinarity, which will become increasingly crucial for the ACS. The impact of multidisciplinarity in the training and employment of chemists has led to discussions about coursework.

Highlights several program and activities for the Division of Chemical Education (CHED) at the American Chemical Society 2001 National Meeting in San Diego, California. Venue of the CHED dinner; Schedules of various technical sessions and symposiums; General information about the city.

Reports the proceedings of a marathon of plenary sessions held during the 219th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society. Details on the lectures regarding innovations in biotechnology; Discussion on the challenges of chemical education in the 21st century; Format of the plenary sessions marathon.

This commentary briefly describes the creation and organizational structure of a new American Association of Chemistry Teachers, as well as the member benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the American Chemical Society-Examinations Institute (ACS-EI) Anchoring Concepts Content. Map (ACCM) for general chemistry. It mentions the processes involved in the construction of the ACCM. Moreover, it presents the four levels of ACCM, its philosophy and its uses.

The article reports on the guidelines issued by the American Chemical Society's (ACS) Committee on Professional Training (CPT) for the approval of undergraduate chemistry programs. It highlights the features of undergraduate research and the rigorous and excellent practices of the CPT. It details how the ACS Guidelines and CPT supplements support the important role played by a research-supportive curriculum in the development and training of chemistry students.

The article offers news briefs in the chemistry industry in the U.S. The American Chemical Society joined the annual celebration of the Earth Day. The 2011 James Flack Norris Award for Outstanding Achievement for Teaching Chemistry will be held in November 2011. The National Science Foundation accepts nominations for the 2011 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

The article discusses the opportunity offered by the International Year of Chemistry (IYC) for academic chemists in the U.S. in 2011. It states that the IYC will promote the engagement of these professionals in precollege science education which is designed to achieve the objectives of the group. It also notes the country's agenda for K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

The article focuses on the methods to adopt the microscale and green chemistry in the U.S. The development of new experiments; the use of catalysts; and organizing talks, workshops and demonstrations are some of the methods to promote and adopt the green chemistry. The participation of students, the mass media, and the American Chemical Society (ACS) are encouraged for the success in disseminating knowledge on Chemistry.

The article focuses on the flame tests demonstrations using household materials by the American Chemical Society (ACS) local student group at Spring Arbor University in Michigan. It states that the activity aims to find out which ion causes the color using dilute muriatic acid, household ionic salts, and isopropyl alcohol. It talks about large-scale flame tests with household materials dissolved in water and alcohol mixtures, the chemistry of flame colors, and the birthday candles that produce colored flames. It also notes some insights regarding the elements that may have caused flame color.

The article offers new briefs related to the "Journal of Chemical Education (JCS)" and chemical societies. The February 2010 issue of JCS will feature the coverage of the Earth Day 2010. The American Chemical Society (ACS) announced the recipients for its 2010 national awards including Ron Seely. The Chemical Principles through Integrated Multiple Exemplars (ChemPRIME) gives a chance to scholars in chemistry fields and related sciences to work on the creation of an online chemistry textbook.

The article offers information on the presentations and designs in the creation of a periodic table on the 2009 American Chemical Society (ACS) National Chemistry Week. It mentions that the theme of the celebration titled "Chemistry-It's Elemental" celebrates the periodic table as an orderly as well as inspirational symbol of chemistry. Several ways on how to present information on the elements along with their properties are discussed.

The article offers updates related to the news and activities in the chemical education in the U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the winners of the 2009 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards, including small business award to Virent Energy Systems Inc., Greener Reaction Conditions Award to CEM Corp. as well as Academic Award to Krzysztof Matyjaszewski. American Chemical Society's (ACS) Division of Organic Chemistry hosted the Centennial Symposium during the 237th ACS National Meeting and Exposition to be held on August 18, 2008 in Philadelphia. ACS is pushing the Commemorative Stamp Petition to the Postal Service which urge to adopt chemistry as a theme for the 2011 commemorative stamp.

The article offers information on several courses, seminars, and meetings related to science and chemistry. The Division of Chemical Education Examinations Institute will move its summer 2008 office at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. A new online magazine titled "Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears," is now available for elementary teachers. The 2008 science history tour is headed to France, starting from Provence on June 18, 2008 to Paris on July 2, 2008. The American Chemical Society (ACS) will conduct summer workshops for high school chemistry teachers in the United States.

The article discusses the preparations made by educational institutions in the U.S. to prepare graduate school students for a life after school. According to the article, the American Chemical Society (ACS) Office of Graduate Education has launched the "Preparing a Life After Graduate School" (PfLAGS) program in order to provide career guidance to all doctoral students who still have no idea about industrial research. In addition, it states that the project wishes to uphold their aims of finding employment opportunities to students, defining careers for them as well as setting non-technical knowledge and skills to define one's career.

The article presents information related to the developments in chemical education. Jon Holmes, software editor of the "Journal of Chemical Education" received the 11th Pirelli Internetional Award for chemistry in Rome, Italy. The Web-based journal "Astronomy Education Review" is celebrating its 5th anniversary. A chart depicting proposal deadlines of the U.S. National Science Foundation is also given. Information is given on the schedule of upcoming meetings of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the American Chemical Association (ACS).

The article presents information related to various developments and awards announced in the chemical industry in the United States. The software company JCE Software has released the Joy of Toys CD-ROM and has shipped to those who have placed orders. Professor of Chemistry at the University of Michigan, Brian P. Coppola, has been selected as the recipient of the 2006 James Flack Norris Award. The American Chemical Society has solicited nominations for 2008 ACS Award for Achievement in Research for the Teaching and Learning of Chemistry. A new award program, the HIST Citations for Chemical Breakthroughs, has been announced by the ACS Division of History of Chemistry (HIST).

This article briefly reports various news items, events, and announcements concerning the field of chemical research and education. The Journal of Chemical Education will, reportedly, join with the American Chemical Society (ACS) in celebrating Earth Day 2005 in the February issue of the journal. The theme of the 2005 issue is "Air--Here, There, Everywhere!," which will be reflected in articles and laboratory data that will be contained in the journal. It is further reported that Vernier Software & Technology and the National Science Teachers Association will provide seven awards, each valued at $3000, for educators who demonstrate innovative used of data-collection technology using a computer, graphing calculator, or other handheld device in the science classroom.

The article focuses on the invitational conference Exploring the Molecular Vision, organized by American Chemical Society Committee on Education, held in June 2003, designed to begin a discussion about the key concepts, factual knowledge and skills that students need for today's chemistry careers. The article summarizes the key findings and conclusions of these conferences. Conference participants identified several gaps between the content of current chemistry education and the practice of the discipline. The content of chemistry education does not reflect the trend towards integration of all sciences.

Surveys inorganic chemistry teachers in the United States to address questions in teaching undergraduate inorganic chemistry. Diversity of undergraduate inorganic programs; Comparison with the curriculum suggested by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society; Time allocated to inorganic chemistry.

Presents news items and announcements related to chemistry. The National Safety Council's integration of its internal databases along with researched online resources; Holding of the 2000 Eastern Analytical Symposium; Celebration of the 16th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education.

Presents a list of names and addresses of societies and trade associations that provides literature on polymers. Includes the American Society for Testing and Materials; Institute of Food Technologists; American Fiber Manufacturers Association Inc.

The article offers news briefs related to chemical society in the U.S. in 2011. It mentions the launch of the American Chemical Society's (ACS) 241st meeting in Anaheim, California on March 27, 2011. It cites the recipients of the Pittcon Heritage Award including Arvin Smith, John Hatsopoulos, and George Hatsopoulos. It also notes the opening of applications for the ACS Scholars Program.

The article offers information on the International Year of Chemistry 2011 (IYC) 201, wherein, chemists and chemical enthusiasts worldwide will collaborate to promote interest in chemistry, as well as its contributions to mankind. It states that the IYC 2011 was designed by the United Nations to encourage appreciation to the achievements of chemistry. It offers details on the activities such as by the American Chemical Society (ACS) designed to engage students, volunteers and the public.

The article offers information on events related to chemistry. The 2011 Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge is in search of high school students who want to join the event to improve the environment. The White House announced in June 2010 that 103 science and mathematics teachers will receive the 2010 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The American Chemical Society (ACS) is in search of nominees for its 2012 ACS Award in chemistry education research.

The article offers information on the educational programs offered by the Hach Scientific Foundation and launched by the founders of Hach Co., which would be continued by the American Chemical Society (ACS). It states that ACS has received $33 million from Hach Foundationand that will complement high school chemistry teaching. It also looks at the shift of the foundation's focus in support of high school chemistry teachers due to the feedback of chemists that their career aspirations were influenced by their high school chemistry teachers. It also presents the ACS-Hach programs such as High School Chemistry Grant, Land Grant University Scholars program, and Second Career Teacher Scholarship.

The article presents a summary of some of the actions and other events at the ACS Council Meeting during the 2008 Fall National Meeting in Philadelphia. It includes information presented by the ACS to its councilors. Bruce Bursten's presentation mentioned the formation of a Board-Presidential Task Force on Education. The Council voted to change the fee structure for Society Affiliates to make these the same price as for regular memberships. The Council also voted to accept a revised division fundign formula that attempts to simplify the allocation calculations.

The article announces the deadline and presents the qualifications for the 2010 awards of the American Chemical Society. All nominating materials will due on November 1, 2008. Details on the qualifications for the 2010 ACS George C. Pimentel Award in Chemical Education, the 2010 ACS James Bryant Conant Award in High School Chemistry and the 2010 ACS Award for Achievement in Research for the Teaching and Learning are provided. The award recipients are requested to appear in person at the spring ACS awards banquet to receive the award and to deliver an award address.

The article reports that the American Chemical Society (ACS) Women Chemists Committee has formed the ACS 2008 Overcoming Challenges Award. The award aims to recognize a woman undergraduate from a two-year or four-year institution for her efforts in overcoming hardship to achieve success in chemistry. It consists of a plaque, a monetary award of $250 and up to $1,000 in travel expenses to the fall ACS national meeting. Information about award criteria and administration is provided on society's Web site.

The article presents information on the High School Day celebrations and the American Chemical Society's (ACS) meeting held in Chicago, Illinois in 2007. It is reported that the High School Program at the Chicago ACS Meeting was a mix of showmanship and chemistry in which speakers shared classroom success stories of their teaching career with the audience. It is reported that several speakers including Eleanor Siegrist, Jim Spencer, and William Desse addressed the gathering. An author of the article has presented her experience of engaging students in a project on the periodicity of elements on the occasion.

The article focuses on the 20th anniversary celebrations of the National Chemical Week (NCW) community outreach program of the American Chemical Society (ACS). It is reported that the NCW is celebrated in the U.S. in the fourth week of October every year. The theme for the 2007 NCW is "The Many Faces of Chemistry." It is informed that the National Chemistry Day was first celebrated on November 6, 1987 which was later converted to NCW due to popular public support. It is reported that the NCW provides an opportunity to educators to engage students in community services. It is also informed that a reception will be held in Boston, Massachusetts on August 19, 2007 to recognize volunteers who have played crucial role in making the NCW a success.

The article focuses on the American Chemical Society's (ACS) efforts for the advancement of chemistry education in the U.S. It is reported that several programs like the "Chemistry Olympiad" and "Kids & Chemistry" have been conducted by the ACS to fulfill the objectives of the Society. It is informed that the ACS' 3rd edition of the book "Inquiry in Action: Investigating Matter Through Inquiry" includes contents relevant for K-8 teachers and students. The author informs that the ACS will continue to do experiments in chemistry education at post secondary level and will focus on faculty development.

The article offers news briefs related to courses, seminars, meeting and opportunities on chemistry in the U.S. A special offer is made by Chemical Education Exams Institute. The International Association of Nanotechnology has invited participation in the Third International Congress of Nanotechnology which will be held on October 30 to November 2, 2006.

The article presents information on some products, softwares, and institutions that will be available on various booths at the time of 2006 annual meeting of American Chemical Society in San Francisco, California. Information on HPLC e-learning modules from Academy Savant and CD/VCDs on lab education for chromatography, spectroscopy, and basic techniques and safety, could be obtainable on Booth 125. The examinations Institute of the American Chemical Society which is the education division of Chemical Education will provide information on its high quality teacher written assessments for all levels of chemistry instruction at Both 1211 and 1213.

The article focuses on the efforts of the Education Division of the American Chemical Society to improve the quality of chemical education in the U.S. The division spearheaded the establishment of the High School Chemistry Club program that provides high school students the chance to experience chemistry outside the classroom and to learn more about chemical science careers. High school students who participated in the programs have conducted demonstrations at elementary schools to introduce chemical science concepts to younger students. Moreover, a new teacher training options is also being offered to high school chemistry teachers.

The article presents information on the "ACS Directory of Graduate Research 2005," a well-known source of information on faculty and their research at programs in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry and related chemical sciences. This directory is continuing to be the premier source of information in the U.S. and Canada. The directory, reportedly, lists faculty members' biographical information, area of specialization, titles of all papers published within the last two years, individual telephone numbers, and fax numbers. It also contains listings for over 650 academic programs, 10,000 faculty members, and 90,000 publication citations. Its electronic version, named DGRweb 2005, is also now as the American Chemical Society has launched an improved DGRweb in November 2005. The search feature for faculty includes specific research area, academic rank, and gender, and the search results produce complete contact information for faculty including direct links to faculty email addresses and Web pages.

The article presents news briefs related to the field of chemical education. The 22nd meeting of the Division of Chemical Education of the German Chemical Society that was held on September 8-10, 2005 at the Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, Germany, showed that chemical education is creatively alive in Germany. Attendees of the meeting represented the full spectrum of the German educational system. The program comprised of oral and poster presentations on content, pedagogy, and hands-on exercises for students. It invited plenary lectures and a virtuosic multimedia show of microscale demonstrations. Germany has strong networks among university faculty and high school teachers. These networks are generating materials for use in the classroom and laboratory. The 40th International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) World Chemistry Congress and the 43rd IUPAC General Assembly were held concurrently at the Beijing International Convention Center on August 14-19, 2005, in China.

The article presents information on the American Chemical Society (ACS) Presidential Symposium, Envisioning Undergraduate Chemistry Education in 2015 that was organized by the ACS Committee on Professional Training and co-sponsored by the Division of Chemical Education and the Society Committee on Education. The symposium was organized in response to ACS President William E Carroll's challenge to envision the chemistry enterprise in 2015 in order to understand, plan for, and make the most of change. It has been noted in the symposium that change is occurring both in the chemistry profession and in education. The first three speakers reported methods in chemistry education that are known to be effective but are not yet widely implemented. Isiah M. Warner of Louisiana State University commented on increasing diversity among chemistry students and ACS-approved programs. He recommended that in order to increase diversity, one needs to promote academic success through mentoring, education, and research.

Describes chemistry items discussed at the Executive Committee of the Association of Chemical Society Division of Chemical Education. Administrative issues; Conferences.

Presents a photo collage of meeting sessions at the Spring 2001 Association of Chemical Society Meeting in San Diego, California. Conferences.