Monday March 15, 1999 Meeting

 

Lee Marek

 

“WEIRD SCIENCE”

 

            This upcoming Monday March 15th, the Northeast Georgia Section of the American Chemical Society , the Student Affiliates of the ACS, and the Chemistry Department will host Lee Marek and his live “Weird Science” demonstrations.   “Weird Science” is a fast-paced, MTV-like, series of short, easy and sometimes “weird” demonstrations and idea on chemical and physical phenomena.  These demonstrations are designed to stimulate people’s interest in science by capturing their attention.  Humor, videos, audios and audience participation are an integral part of a “Weird Science” program which entertains while it educates.  Indeed, “Weird Science” has been presented live to over 280,000 teachers, students and interested persons.  Lee and his associates have been featured on numerous television programs, including ‘The David Letterman Show’ fourteen times.

 

            This presentation will be held in the main lecture hall of the Chemistry Building (Room 430).  The Student Affiliates have arranged for massive quantities of pizza and soft drinks to kick off the meeting at 5:00 pm.  The demonstrations will begin around 5:30 pm.  If you are able to join us for what should prove to be an entertaining and informative show, please notify Vicki Bauer or Jese Bishop as soon as possible so that we have enough pizza and drink on hand for all. 

 

 

Lee Marek’s Biography

 

            Lee Marek received a B.S. degree in 1968 from the University of Illinois (in Chemical Engineering), and M.S. degrees from the Roosevelt University in Chemistry and Physics.  In 1974 he joined the staff at Naperville North High School where he established its chemistry program.  While he has taught at Naperville North H.S. for past twenty five years, he has augmented his training by taking courses at Argonne Naiona Laboratories, University of California at Berkeley, Aurora University, Eastern Michigan University, University of Texas, DePaul University, Governors Stte University, Sand Diego State, Penn State, Univ. of Wisconsin, La Crosse and Madison, Princeton University, Fermi National Accelerator Lab, Chicago State University, Harper Community College, SUNY, and Loyola University.  He is presently a Dreyfus Master Teacher at Princeton. 

 

            Lee has received numerous awards and recognitions.  They include:  Dreyfus Master Teacher 83, Governors Maser Teacher 84, Sigma Xi Outstanding Teacher Award 85, Recognized for outstanding science program by the Chicago Sun Times when Naperville North H.S. was voted one of “Ten Best Illinois High Schools” 85, Distinquished Science Educator 86, Awarded Citation for Excellence to INTECH (Young Engineers and Scientists Competition) by the Corridor Group, Presidential Award for Excellend in Science Teaching 86, Davison Award for Excellence in Teaching High School Chemistry 87 - Chemical Industires Council, regional Catalyst Award Midwest — Chem. Manuf. Association 88, ACS Great Lakes Regional Award for High School Chemistry 90,  IMPACT Awardee 90, Christa McAuliffe Fellow 92-93, Tandy Technology Scholar Award for Outstanding Teachers 91, “Those Who Excel Award of Excellence for Outstanding Contributions to illinois Education from the State Board of Education, Sigma Xi Special Award from Chicago ection for Contributions to Education in the Chicago Area 92, Voted the Outstanding Teacher of the Year by students and faculty Naperville North High School 92, Asociation of Science and Technology Centers Honor Roll of Teachers 92, performed chemistry demonstration in Congress 92, National Catalyst Award for Excellence in Chemistry Teching from the Chemical Manufactures Association 93, National James Bryant Conant Award in High School Chemistry Teaching from the American Chemical Society 94, Phoenix Award (ACS) 93, Golden Apple Award 98.

 

            Lee and his associates of Chemistry West, a Chicago area chemistry teachers alliance network, have presented over 500 chemistry demonstration programs locally and nationally.  His teaching efforts have been recognized in the following publications:   Education Week, USA Today, C & E News, Time, People, Chicago magazine, Today, Illinois Quarterly Magazine, The Kansas City Star, Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald and Associated Press.

 

 

March’s Chairman’s Corner

 

            Attendance at our monthly meetings increased again thanks to the change of venue, an earlier starting time and the presentation of a popular subject.  Our next two meetings — both to be held in March — have similar attributes. 

 

            On Monday March 15th, the section will host Lee Marek and his live WEIRD SCIENCE demonstrations.  Lee will entertain us for more than an hour, thanks to a generous contribution from the Department of Chemistry.  Lee is a highly honored high school teacher so don’t be too surprised when he reveals the scientific principles behind his chemical tricks.  More importantly, he has promised me not to catch anyone on fire, which dramatically contrasts with his attempted incineration of David Letterman during one of his many appearances on that show. 

 

            The Student Affiliates have arranged for massive quantities of pizza and soft drinks to kick off the meeting, which will be held in the main lecture hall of the Chemistry Building (Room 430). The demonstrations will begin around 5:30 pm.  Everyone is welcome to come and watch a nationally recognized master practice his art.  Teachers are invited to bring their students to this event.  Please notify Vicki Bauer (542-1919) as soon as you can so that we have enough food and drink on hand. 

 

            In order to have Professor Ronald Breslow, this year’s Priestly Award recipient and a former President of the ACS, as the featured guest at our annual banquet, this event was rescheduled for Friday evening, March 26th.  The buffet menu to be provided at the Athens Country Club is given elsewhere.  In keeping with tradition, each meal (real cost to the section is $25 per person) will be subsidized:  each undergraduate student or graduate student who attends the banquet will only be charged $10 for their meal, while others will be charged $18 per meal.  In order to join us, please notify me [at 542-1966 or majetich@chem.uga.edu], Mike Terry [at 546-3272 or miketerry46@hotmail.com], or Barbara Cherry [at 542-1987 or bcherry@sunchem.chem.uga.edu] prior to Wednesday March 24.  This request is dictated by the needs of our caterers to have an accurate head count.  Please be aware that when members fail to honor their dinner reservations, the section is forced to cover the cost of each meal. 

 

            Finally, Carol White, last year’s Chair, has been selected to receive the Chemical Manufacturers Association 1999 Responsible Care National Catalyst Award for two year colleges.  She will receive a medal, a citation, and a cash award at the First Annual Responsible Care Catalyst Award Reception and Dinner in Boston on March 26 and will be among those honored at the April 30th Awards Evening.  Until then...