Post on 12-Feb-2016
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Polymer Ambassadors
Promoting Polymer Education1991 – 2009
18 years with 28 Ambassadors
SponsorsThe Polymer Ambassador program is
sponsored by the Intersociety Polymer Education Council (IPEC) with grants from:
American Chemical Society and these divisions:Polymer,Polymeric Materials: Science and
Engineering,Rubber; and
Society of Plastic Engineers Polymer Pioneers Association
ACS Polymer Division, We Thank You
For being interested in precollege education.For recognizing the importance of polymer education.For supporting our mission.For letting us share our success story with this presentation.
IPEC MissionTo significantly increase student
interest and participation in science and technology subjects by incorporating the teaching of polymers and polymeric materials into K-12 curricula by utilizing the combined resources and infrastructures of the participating scientific societies.
Polymer Ambassadors Mission
The Polymer Ambassadors, with resources from educational, industrial, and professional societies, promote polymer education with teachers, students, and community audiences.
When do K-12 students study polymers?
When a teacher is excited about them.When a teacher can get the materials inexpensively.When the activities fit the State Science Educational Standards. The Ambassadors site the Standards for each activity.
Our Activities PROMOTING POLYMER EDUCATION
INCLUDES:Writing laboratory experimentsPerforming demonstrationsOrganizing workshops Developing written materials Maintaining a WEB site
www.polymerambassadors.orgPublishing papers in JournalsEarning Teaching Awards
Some Examples of Laboratory Experiments
What is a Polymer? Polymers in Cosmetics Grow Creatures Polydensity TubesDesigner SneakersCorn PlasticsSlimes and Snakes Art in ScienceMath Connections
Demonstrations
Joyce, Debbie, Jon, Andy, and Lynn
WorkshopsBarbara, Sue, Sandy, and Vaughn
Recent Published Papers"Polymer Ambassadors On the WWW", J. of Chemical Education, June 2006. "Chemical Bonding Makes a Difference!", J. of Chemical Education, October 2006."Sorting Recycled Trash: An Activity for Earth Day 2007", J. of Chemical Education, Feb. 2007. "Polymers in the Field and Track", J. of Chemical Education, October 2008. "Impact of Polymers in Impact Sports", J. of Chemical Education, October 2008. "POLYMER AMBASSADORS: A Novel Program to Promote Pre-college Learning about Polymeric Materials", Journal of Macromolecular Science, Part C: Polymer Reviews, October 2008
Where does the money go?Purchasing supplies for every workshop and demonstration.Travel expenses which include: air fare or mileage, hotel room, and food.Shipping of supplies to conventions.WEB site maintenance.Books and courses on polymers.We volunteer our time and effort!
Impact on Polymer EducationThe audiences vary but we have about 30+/- teachers per session.With 20 active ambassadors, we impact over 2000 teachers. Assuming each teacher has 25 students (elementary) or 125 students (high school), we can estimate that 140,000 students are having fun and learning about polymers each year.
Impact over the yearsAmbassadors have been giving presentations for 18 years.Our journal publications reach thousands of readers.We estimate that our work has impacted over 1.5 million students!One Ambassador is helping with a polymer exhibit at the Philippine Science Centrum.
Awards and Recognition
Presidential Award for Science Teaching – 5 AmbassadorsOhaus Award – 2 AmbassadorsCMA Catalyst Award – 3 AmbassadorsThe Disney Award – 1 Ambassador
The future??Students having interesting experiences with polymers may want to pursue careers in polymers.Students receiving recognition for competitions involving polymers may also pursue careers in the field.Students reading about current developments of new polymeric products may pursue related careers.
We can’t do it without you!