CHAIRPERSON: S. Mary L. Maier, Ph.D.
St. Joseph's College
245 Clinton Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205-3688

OTHER MEMBERS: Mrs. Jean D. Delfiner
Ms. Corinne Gamper
Dr. Raifah M. Kabbani
Dr. John M. Halpin
Dr. Hiroko I. Karan
Mrs. Joan Laredo-Liddell
Mrs. Nadia E. Makar
Mr. Lewis Malchick
Dr. Margaret Mandziuk
Dr. Thomas J.Quigley
Dr. Patricia A. Redden
Dr. Jill K. Rehmann
Dr. Angelo R. Rossi

1. Expanding Your Horizons Program

The annual science career program for middle and high school girls took place on Saturday, October 28, 2006. This year the program provided a change of season and of format as the group of 30 Girl Scouts and their leaders attended the College Fair conducted by the New York Section of the American Chemical Society offered at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows. College students and their professors from various metropolitan institutions had prepared intriguing experiments and demonstrations which provided hands-on learning experiences for the girl scouts and their leaders. This experience was not only educational, but it also demonstrated how chemistry and scientific principles are related to the stimulating effect of creativity. It is possible that this stimulating adventure into chemistry could produce a spark to encourage future careers, or at least lasting interest, in this important physical science.

Committee members Joan Laredo-Liddell, S. Mary Maier, and Jill Rehmann participated in this event.

2. Research Poster Session XII

This 12th annual poster session for high school students took place on Saturday, October 21st at St. Joseph's College. There were thirty-three contestants who were registered for participation in this year's event; however, since there was a newly created PSAT examination on that date, several contestants failed to attend. Members of the Chemical Education Committee who served as judges included Corinne Gamper, Margaret Mandziuk, and Jill Rehmann. Nadia Makar assisted by way of bringing student competitors to the event and by assisting in distribution of the official ACS New York Section certificates created by Neil Jespersen.

Alexander Greer, Ph.D., of Brooklyn College's Chemistry Department, presented the address related to tunicate research, in which he has been involved for a number of years. It was interesting to note that some of the contestants as well as ACS members presented Dr. Greer with interestring questions.

In retrospect some members of the Chemical Education Committee note the decrease in attendance by secondary students at these Saturday events, so we are tentatively considering a discussion about moving the annual event to a Sunday program. We will bring this as an agenda item to the New York Section Education Committee meeting during January, 2007.