TASK: give a 15 minute presentation at Explore Kent Chemistry Day regarding Research Opportunities for Undergraduates.

Transcription

1 TASK: give a 15 minute presentation at Explore Kent Chemistry Day regarding Research Opportunities for Undergraduates.

2 Mr. Magritte wants to know: What is this?

3 Mr. Magritte wants to know: What is this? Réponse René Magritte ( ) Belgian surrealist artist The Treachery of Images ( )

4 For the sake of completeness: other pipes that are not pipes As they say in Belgium, "Ceci n'est pas une pipe.

5 What does René Magritte have to say and/or show us? The LISTENING ROOM 1952 BAUCIS LANDSCAPE 1977 (?)

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7 Mr. Alfred Korzybski wants to know: What is this?

8 Alfred Korzybski developed the field of General Semantics Two crucial negative premises as established firmly by all human experience: (1) Words are not the things we are speaking about <words alone science> (2) There is no such thing as an object in absolute isolation. Korzybski maintained that humans are limited in what they know by (1) The structure of their nervous systems, and (2) The structure of their languages. the map is not the territory He stated that the map is not the territory as his way help people understand that the way we describe things, isn t necessarily the reality; they are only descriptions of what we observe and how we choose to describe it. Alfred Korzybski ( ) Polish-American scholar

9 Learning Listening to lectures and collecting sporadic data is ultimately not in and of itself conducive to effective learning (and understanding). One must manipulate, interpolate and extrapolate existing data in order to create new data (and establish new concepts). Learning from mistakes can be highly useful (assuming the mistakes are recognized and that your survived them). This happens all the time in the laboratory hands on research.

10 Banana Science 101

11 Banana Lecture for Banana Science 101 Let s talk about the characteristics of the banana: Edible fruit, botanically a berry Produced by several kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus Musa Musa species are native to tropical Indomalaya and Australia The fruit is variable in size, color and firmness, elongated and curved, with soft flesh rich in starch covered with a rind which may be green, yellow, red, purple or brown when ripe Practically every banana consumed in the western world is directly descended from a plant grown in the Derbyshire estate's [Chatsworth House] hothouse 180 years ago. Bananas are naturally slightly radioactive, more so than most other fruits, because of their relatively high potassium content (including the radioactive isotope 40 K)* Picked banana lifetimes can be doubled (3-4 weeks) by packing the banana in a polyethylene bag (retaining CO 2 produced) containing potassium permanganate (to absorb ethylene)* * Some chemistry!!

12 Final Exam for Banana Science 101 Your name: Banana Science 101 Final Exam February 6, 2016 Q1: Based on the banana lecture, answer the question: How does a banana taste? Grade:

13 Mr. Magoo wants to know: What is this? What is it for?

14 what they say about undergraduate research Engaging in research or working on a creative activity as an undergraduate student is a fantastic way to work closely with prominent faculty members and researchers, learn more about an area of interest, apply classroom knowledge, and expand skills while building your professional resume. Undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activities describe collaborations between students and faculty members in the sciences, arts, humanities, and social sciences. It is inquiry into an area or investigation that allows an undergraduate student to make a unique contribution (intellectual, original, or creative) to their field. This contribution can be in the form of new knowledge, interpretation of knowledge, or artistic/creative performance.

15 what they say about undergraduate research The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry strongly encourages students pursuing an undergraduate chemistry degree to get involved in chemical research. Research projects give students additional experience with the most up-to-date research equipment and techniques. Many undergraduates become co-authors on research publications in the scientific literature, and the work performed by Kent State undergraduates is often presented at professional conferences around the world. Participation in undergraduate chemical research greatly enhances the likelihood of securing a position in a top graduate program, obtaining an industrial job, or gaining entry into medical or other professional schools.

16 How to get involved Research projects in Chemistry and Biochemistry are organized by faculty. Faculty and Staff Directory with group projects: Talk with faculty! The Undergraduate Chemical Research Directory is available in the Undergraduate Office, WMH 208. Individual Investigation (CHEM 40796): Most students who wish to pursue a chemical research project will register for this course. Part time paid research activity (usually supported out of faculty research grants). Some prior experience is usually required. Research support from the University Research Councilhttp:// Summer Research: NSF REU Program at KSU Also opportunities at REU programs at other universities

17 Current undergrad researchers in my lab Holly Putnat H-bonded organic semiconductors Mercedes Koval? Cyclic oligomers? Matthew Jirka Cyanobiphenyl LCs for sensors

18 I WANT YOU FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

19 Gedankenexperiment: