Lab-Aids Institute: Summer Seminars
A Natural Approach to Chemistry
Chemistry is all around us. We eat it, we drink it, we breathe it. It is the complex choreography of atoms and molecules
that make up the living and non-living world. It includes both the creation of the raw materials of human technology,
and how the natural world builds – and renews – itself.
This seminar series, presented by principal author Dr. Tom Hsu and his colleagues, is based on his new book A Natural Approach to Chemistry which integrates a modern approach to chemistry that stresses a molecular understanding of why chemistry happens. The seminars will also showcase the new text, lab materials and the new lab probeware system developed for the program. It is appropriate for all high school chemistry teachers.
The workshop series takes a fresh new look at how chemistry is used today, in and out of the laboratory. Emphasis is placed on teaching students why and how chemistry occurs, using the three over-arching themes of energy, atoms, and systems. More traditional topics, such as states of matter, reactions, pH, electrochemistry and stoichiometry, are also covered in the workshop. Frequent examples from the human body and the environment are used to help students make connections to everyday life.
"NAC comes about as close as you can get to being 'all things for all people': engaging activities and conceptually beneficial graphics for students; rigorous, relevant, quantitative problem-solving; environmentally-friendly labs; pedagogically-sound sequencing, and an equipment package that is virtually "all-inclusive."
-- Dave Ziegler, Chemistry Teacher Rifle (CO) Public Schools
WORKSHOP TOPICS:
- Energy, Temperature, and Heat
- Matter and Atoms
- Chemical Reactions and Bonding
- Stoichiometry
- Solutions
- Acids and Bases
- Electrochemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Chemistry of Earth and Space Environments
This workshop will feature materials and equipment, including the LAB-MASTER® from by LAB-AIDS.
- Collects and stores data using Temperature, and Voltage Probes
- Built-in Spectrophotometer
- Powers the Unique and Safe Heat Source
- Rugged and Reliable
- Compatible With Most Other Educational Probes
- Water Tight and Impact-Resistant Enclosure
- Backed by research on how students learn best!
FLAGSTAFF AZ (July 12-16, 2010) Arrive July 11, Depart July 16
Surrounded by natural wonders like the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff
offers more than 200 restaurants, numerous night spots, and a variety of cultural, historic and scientific attractions.
Visitors from all over the world are attracted to its clean mountain air, year-round outdoor recreation opportunities,
and its Western legacy of pioneer ranchers, railroad builders and lumbermen.
Some of the West's most beautiful
country surrounds Flagstaff, from the Coconino National Forest and the San Francisco Peaks (12,633 feet/3,851 meters)
to the Red Rocks of Sedona to the rugged deserts of neighboring Native American nations. Grand Canyon National Park,
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Wupatki National Monument and Meteor Crater are all within easy driving distance,
as are many more archaeological treasures and attractions.
At the junction of two major U.S. interstates, served by a regional airport with direct flights to Phoenix and Los Angeles as well as a busy train depot, Flagstaff is a key destination for people seeking the adventure, natural beauty, charm and wide open spaces of the American West.
Air service to Flagstaff's Pulliam Airport is available via US Airways and Horizon Air. Pulliam Airport is located five miles south of downtown Flagstaff, Just off 1-17. In partnership with Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air provides daily flights to and from Los Angeles International Airport, where a wide selection of domestic and international connections can be made.
U.S. Airways provides daily flights to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor International airport, where a wide selection of domestic and international connections can be made.
CONFERENCE HOTEL
The DuBois Conference Center at Northern Arizona University (http://www.nau.edu/dubois/)
is the location for the 2010 NAC Seminar Meeting. The Du Bois Center is located on the NAU campus, 306 E. Pine Knoll
Drive
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011. Phone: (928) 523-3321
Fax: (928) 523-1440
Click here for an agenda from the 2009 program
COST AND REGISTRATION
Flagstaff, AZ ($1,895)
Prices are based
on Single Hotel Room Occupancy. If you don't mind sharing a room the seminar cost will be $300 less. You can also save
$100 if you register by May 1st.
Prices include: all of your seminar materials, hotel, breakfasts, lunches
and two dinners.
Prices do not include: airfare, ground transportation, and two dinners.
To register call us at 800 381-8003 or download the registration form.
WORKSHOP LEADERS
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Dr. Tom Hsu is nationally known as an innovator in science equipment and curriculum and a leader in teacher training. Dr. Hsu has trained more than 15,000 teachers of all levels, leading workshops since 1991. He is the published author of five middle and high school science programs in Physics and Physical Science. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Plasma Physics from MIT and a Bachelors of Science with honors in Physics, magna-cum laude from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. |
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Dr. Manos Chaniotakis has been teaching and doing research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for 18 years. For the last 6 years, he has been developing, and teaching an innovative, hands-on electronics course at MIT to non-engineering majors. Dr. Chaniotakis holds a Ph.D. in Plasma Physics and Fusion Engineering from MIT, a Master of Science in Mechanics, and a Bachelors in Physics from the University of Minnesota. |
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Deborah Carlisle has a Masters Degree in Biological Science and Technology. She has taught Chemistry for 20 years, including 17 years spent at the Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. Deborah has significant experience and success working with all levels of student ability, ranging from introductory to advanced placement. During Deborah's time at Andover, she researched and presented information that contributed to the success of young women and minorities in Chemistry. She enhanced important aspects of the laboratory program that made it exciting and accessible to the students. Deborah has also taught biochemistry and general biology at Phillips Academy. |
REVIEWS
From the San Antonio workshops, at Our Lady of the Lake University, July 2009, led by Tom Hsu...
"…Enjoyed the staff and the pacing. Time was well-managed, but there was plenty of time for questions and discussions about the topics…"
"…Tom Hsu is inspirational and his teaching stories give me something to aspire to…"
"…All sessions were excellent…but the atom building game will help students understand difficult concepts…"
"…the reaction kinetics and pH labs would allow for their use at all levels, from chem to pre-AP chem, to AP-chem. I particularly see great extensions for the use of RGB to determine solution pH…"
"…Nice pacing and flow…I was so engaged that when it was time for lunch, I kept saying to myself, 'really?' I am usually in 'A.D.D.' mode in workshops like this and become bored instantly…NOT SO in this one…"
"…I enjoyed the spectrophotometry. Equipment is very easy to use and to set up. It is good to know that we can now do good science in a regular room, not just a lab room…"
"…The specific heat is the simplest method I have ever seen. Why didn't I think of that! Easy way to prove the conservation of energy…"
"…Wonderful! I cannot wait to start teaching. The specific heat and Beer's Law are hard labs to understand, but they made them seem simple…"
"…Very well-structured. Tom was able to balance his personal experience, philosophy of teaching, theory, practice, to give a rewarding learning experience…"
"…Everyone involved in the logistics of the program were friendly and helpful…"
"…Awesome—we were constantly doing something. Time was not allowed for boredom to set in. The staff was well-informed and willing to answer questions, especially on application of ideas to different situations…"