Your Ideas!
The Princeton ACS (PACS) section has a number of successful ongoing programs to inform the community how chemistry affects their lives and to foster interest and introduce high school and college students to careers in chemistry. The programs currently supported include Chemagination, Outstanding High School Chemistry Teacher Award, Earth Day Events, and National Chemistry Week Open House, among others. This May 2nd we will also be co-sponsoring a “Careers in Chemistry” Symposium for college and high school students being organized by the Trenton Section.
Do you have an idea for a program that you feel our section should host? Would you be willing to organize this activity or program? The executive committee is seeking ideas to review at our next meeting, which will be held on April 22, 2009.
Please send your ideas to our Chair, Dr. David Carrick at dcarrick@comcast.net. If you are interested in attending the meeting and championing your idea, please contact Lynne Greenblatt at greenbl1@wyeth.com. We hope you can help us serve our members and our community!

Teaching Chemistry 

The ACS Committee on Chemists with Disabilities announces the latest edition of Teaching Chemistry to Students with Disabilities - a resource book for teachers at the high school, college, and postgraduate level; students with disabilities, parents, and counselors.

Call 800-227-5558 ext. 4600 for your complimentary copy.

Volunteers Wanted!

ACS Princeton Local Section OUTREACH TEAM...

Would you consider joining the ACS Princeton Local Section outreach program?  Through the education website of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection we offer demonstrations and hands-on activities based on environmental themes.  Central New Jersey schools and community groups can request our services for science lessons and special events.  We will provide training (one 2-3 hour evening or weekend session) and then place you on our volunteer list. When we receive a request we contact the list and make up a team of an appropriate size. You may participate as often, or as rarely, as suits your schedule.

According to the education coordinator at NJDEP, most requests will be for weekday lessons and events at elementary or middle schools. Some schools also have science fairs and other special events on weekends or in the evening. You may choose the age level(s) and type(s) of events with which you are most comfortable. It is lots of fun, and the children are always very appreciative.

If you have any interest in participating in this activity please contact Dr. Kathryn Wagner (609-258-2937) for more information at:

kmwagner@princeton.edu

Industrial Scientists Eligible for Fulbright Grants

Got an early retirement offer too good to pass up? Looking for a career change? Want to live in another culture and recharge your batteries? Scientists who work for industry or are self-employed may be surprised to learn that Fulbright Grants for teaching and/or research overseas are not limited to academicians. The duration of the grants (5-9 months) favors those who are eligible for sabbatical leaves. However, as the chemical industry continues to restructure, many senior industrial scientists are being offered early retirement and/or buy out opportunities. Those who are prepared might find that a Fulbright Grant offers an exciting opportunity for professional growth while learning about another culture.

The Fulbright Program is an international educational exchange program sponsored by the US Government, and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the US and the people of other countries. It is open to industrial, academic and self employed professionals who demonstrate excellence and leadership in their fields. Since it was established in 1946, the Fulbright Program has allowed over 225,000 participants from the US and 125 countries the opportunity to observe each others political and economic  institutions

and culture, exchange ideas, and embark on joint ventures of importance to the general welfare of the world's inhabitants.

Obtaining a Fulbright is a competitive process and does tend to favor those with an academic background. For example, most, but not all awards are for lecturing; these generally require a Ph.D. and evidence that one has taught college courses. An extensive list of current publications is helpful if one wants to go to a prime location. However, less developed nations, and the Fulbright staff, are well aware of the value of someone with practical experience, and are very willing to help the industrial applicant.

For more information on the Fulbright program, visit their website at www.cies.org. If you want to pursue the process, feel free to email Tom Weeks for a few tips.   Tom Weeks is a recently retired manager/chemist from Ashland Chemical who is now in Qatar as a Fulbright Scholar.