One of Rozenn’s tomatoes appears to be less than pleased that she dropped from the plant prematurely.
I sense much anger in you
Category Archives: Think
Rehashing old ideas, or maybe exploring new ones.
Elemental diagrams
This tweet came through my feed today:
Twitter user @MeijaJuris noted that this image is a bit out of date, given that nihonium (element 113, Nh) shares its abbreviation with New Hampshire. I wanted to see how to use Mathematica to update the diagram.
Continue readingDry labs real science
Recently, I had a chance to talk about an approach I developed to help students interact more effectively with on-line instrumentation simulations. I call it [Do][Explore][Act] and it’s an evolution of the Predict-Obseve-Explain approach to doing science demonstrations. The point is to provide mediation remotely so that students have a better understanding of what they are supposed to do with a simulator and how they are being assessed. The presentation has now been posted on DryLabsRealScience youtube channel. You can find the complete playlist here.
Antiracism in STEM
A useful resource made its way into my Twitter feed recently. Yes, it comes as a surprise to me as well that I write “useful” and “Twitter” in the same sentence. As we continue to take action on diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM, we need to learn more about the common critiques and responses that pop up in conversations. From arguments involving reverse discrimination and hiring based on merit alone, to there not being enough persons of color who want to work in STEM, this guide provides resources for more fruitful discussions. The original documents can be found here and I’ve included the PDF on my website just to have a local copy. Have a look.
Black Lives Matter
The first 12 years of my professional life were spent at Chicago State University, a primarily minority serving undergraduate institution located in South Side Chicago. I remember very clearly my interview with the faculty, often being asked how I (a white guy) could contribute to the successful education of young black scientists.
Having grown up in a very monolithic community, the only honest answer I could give was to state that I was open to guidance, willing to learn and committed to doing what it takes to promote student success.
I experienced many joys when students became the first graduates of their families; I experienced great sorrow mourning the loss of students who were victims of gang violence. My students and I continued to challenge one another, learn from one another and become better because of one another.
I feel sorry for racists who do not value diversity. Their ignorance puts them at a disadvantage and makes them weak. It closes doors to them that would lead to remarkable experiences and growth.
The students of Chicago State opened my eyes and mind in ways that I still find difficult to express because they still impact me three years after leaving the college for another school. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach chemistry to the future black leaders of our field and to learn about learning in an environment very different from what I had known.
This is why Black Lives Matter to me, and why I stand by those who continue to fight against the injustice and inequality that should have been left behind in the last millennium.