Chemistry Project Christmas Ornaments

The Nov. 30 issue of Chemical & Engineering News (C&ENews) has a Newscripts article describing fun chemistry projects resulting in Christmas ornaments. You can read it by clicking here. A close-up view of a borax crystal ornament is shown at right. The color comes from whatever pipe-cleaner you choose as a form. The photo is from the October 2006 Owlhaven blog.

The Logic of Chemistry -- Here's a quick riddle for you

Elementary Discoveries

Four scientists, Cavendish, Moisson, Priestley, and Rutherford, discovered four elements, fluorine (F2), hydrogen (H2), nitrogen (N2), and oxygen (O2). Each of these elements has a different property: One is one of the least reactive elements, one is the most reactive element, one is the most abundant element in the body, and one is the most abundant element in the universe. Can you determine who discovered what element and what each element’s property is?

a. Fluorine, which was not discovered by Cavendish, isn’t the least reactive element.
b. Nitrogen, which was not discovered by Priestley, isn’t the most abundant element in the universe.
c. The four scientists are: Priestley, Rutherford, the discoverer of fluorine, and the discoverer of the element most abundant in the universe.
d. The element found to be the most abundant in the body wasn’t discovered by Moisson and isn’t nitrogen or hydrogen.

Dr. Bob Hanson

Bulletin Board Updates

Dr. Abdella has placed new browsing/reading material on her bulletin board outside of RNS 362. When you return from break, take a look at these, I think there's something for everyone...

New on the board:
The Dawn of Academic Chemistry
Science from Art
Silly String (yes, the real thing!)
Tools for Protein Folding
Missing the Target (targeted cancer therapy)
Old Drugs, New Tricks
Careers and Chemists (a series of short letters)
Chemical Synthesis (Editorial)
A Whiff of Knowledge (Cognitive Enhancing Nasal Spray??)
African Americans and Science (Editorial)
DNA Shape Directs Proteins
Molecule Controls Worms with a Flip of a Switch
A Coating that Fights Ice (soon to be useful)
New Helper for Bulky Amino Acids

Continuing their run on the board: The Chemistry of Forensics, Amide Stacking Rivals H-Bonds, and Considering an M.D., D.D.S., Pharm. D....Why Not a Ph.D.?

Student Work Job Applications Intereim and Second Semester

Student Work for Interim and Second Semester are on line now. Please fill these out and turn into my office RNS 336 as soon as you can. Thank you.

Second Semester

Interim

CIRCADIAN CLOCK SEMINAR MONDAY

Ever wonder what regulates your sleep/wake cycles? Or, why you have trouble concentrating at certain times of the day? Come to the seminar on Monday, November 23rd at 4pm in RNS 310 to find out. Karla Marz from Gustavus Adolphus will present her findings on the biochemistry of the cryptochrome proteins, the cellular regulators of the circadian clock. Karla earned her PhD in biochemistry from Washington University and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Virginia. She is very interested in meeting St. Olaf students who might want to chat about circadian rhythms, graduate school in biochemistry, or life in science!

If you'd like to chat with Dr. Marz, Professor Listenberger is organizing an informal gathering prior to the seminar. Contact Prof Listenberger for details.

This seminar will count towards the Chemistry Major

--
Laura Listenberger, PhD
Assistant Professor of Biology and Chemistry
St. Olaf College

(507)786-3804
listenbe@stolaf.edu

Phi Beta Kappa

Eight out of the seventeen initiates came with a chemistry major! Congratulations to the following and best wishes in your continued high quality pursuit of a liberal education.

Kris Elbein - Chemistry w/ Asian Studies Concentration
Anna Larson - Chemistry and Spanish
Michael Marty - Chemistry and Math
Joseph McDevitt - Chemistry, Economics, Math w/ Stats Concentration
Benjamin Meyer - Chemistry and Ancient Studies
Jacob Nelson - Chemistry and Biology
Lauren Seline - Chemistry and Biology
Bryant Torkelson - Chemistry and Math

Tutors for Organic Chemistry Needed

Hello again,

Many thanks to those who rose to the challenge last week when the ASC was short on Chem 121 and 125 tutors! This week we have a greater need for organic tutors. If there's any chance you'd be willing to spend a little time helping a fellow student to navigate the Wonderful World of Organic Chemistry please read on...

These are paid positions (at student work rates) that count toward a student work award, but there is no requirement that tutors have a student work award. Each tutoring situation requires meeting with a tutee three times per week for about an hour each time (meeting times determined by the tutor and tutee).

If you're interested in becoming a Chemistry Tutor may apply online by going to:http://www.stolaf.edu/services/asc/links-work.html

Peder Bolstad