2000 TORCH Workshop Descriptions
Chemistry

History of Chemistry 
Contact Andrew Viruleg for more information

This workshop provides a bridge from chemistry to other disciplines such as geometry, art, language arts and technology. It provides participants with a rich historical background. It focuses on the significant personalities, discoveries and events involved in the different revolutions in thought that have shaped basic chemical concepts taught today. The presentation of such traditional topics as atomic theory, gas laws, periodic table and periodicity, atomic structure and molecular geometry are enhanced with materials from history, art and alchemy. The goal is to humanize the study of chemistry in order to engage the curiosity and interest of a wider range of students. The content is appropriate for teachers of high school, general, college-prep, and advanced chemistry and physical science courses. Although not specifically designed for teachers of middle or junior high school physical science, those who have attended the institute have found it very useful.
Hand-held Technology:TI-82, TI-83 and CBL

Household to High-Tech
Contact Kathleen Dombrink for more information

Presentations in this one-week institute include phases of matter, behavior of gases, equilibrium, stoichiometry, acids and bases, redox, nuclear, environmental and organic chemistry. Each topic presented integrates demonstrations, teaching strategies and laboratory activities. The use of technology (graphing calculators, CBLs and visual technologies) along with inquiry activities and alternate assessments suggested in the National Science Education Standards are stressed. Both veteran teachers and novices with extensive chemistry backgrounds and those who lack expertise in some areas of chemistry will benefit.
Hand-held Technology: TI-82, TI-83 and CBL Computer Needs: 4 MAC min 8meg ram, 2 printers, 1 projection pad-MAC Other Technology: 2 overhead projectors, 2 large screen monitors/TV, VCR, slide projector with carousel

Saturday Science Workshop Series
Contact George Brogie for more information

Teachers in grades 5-9 are invited to attend Carnegie Mellon University Van Outreach Program. s Saturday Science Workshops. The CMU Van Outreach Program will conduct workshops on five Saturdays during the semester. Each workshop will start at 8:00 a.m. and continue until noon. Teachers attending will be provided with a $50 stipend. They will also be given a kit containing materials appropriate for the workshop, which will have a value of up to $200.

Each workshop will concentrate on a topic relevant to a middle school curriculum and will involve teachers performing hands-on experiments and demonstrations, which they can take back to their schools. Topics include biology and mechanics, geology, polymer chemistry, chemical analysis using flame tests and spectroscopy, and electricity and magnetism.

For more information contact:
Tonka Irish
(609)452-7007, x123