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Gardening: Spring Tulips

March 25, 2012 Gardening

The winter was mild and Spring has come early to Chicago. Tulips, daffodils, forsythia shrubs and other signs of Spring are popping up everywhere. I’ve been enjoying the bursts of color. This season I’ve been making lots of gardening plans. This is a great time to read the gardening books, think about a few projects to adopt, and prepare the garden beds. This may mean taking care of the soil, making sure it had the right pH, adequate nutrients and is ready for planting.

Tulips

Early Spring Flowers

In front of the tulips you can see a few springs of lavendar. This plant survived the Winter – but that doesn’t always happen. I’m looking forward to a long gardening season this year.

Chem 201: Nice work in lab today

March 12, 2012 Chemistry / Chemistry 201

I would like to compliment the work of the Chemistry 201 students in my class today. The results obtained for the Determination of Molar Mass of a Volatile Liquid were very good – and the lab proceeded in a very positive and productive manner. Excellent work class!

Physical Science 107: More jeopardy

March 6, 2012 Current Issues in Physical Science / Physical Science

Please visit this page to find links to jeopardy games

http://justonly.com/physci/ps107/lessons/jeopardy/index.php

Physical Science 107: C2ST Talk at Northwestern, Chicago Campus

March 6, 2012 Current Issues in Physical Science / Physical Science

Chicago Council on Science and Technology is hosting a presentation:

China’s Clean Energy: Current Research, Development & Cooperation

http://c2st.org/programs-c%C2%B2st/chinas-clean-energy-current-research-development-cooperation

Anyone who attends can submit their ticket and a summary for extra credit. Student tickets cost $5.

Chem 201: Retake of Exam One

March 6, 2012 Chemistry / Chemistry 201

Two opportunities will be provided to retake exam one. They will be as follows:

Monday, March 12th, 6PM
Tuesday, March 13th, 9AM

Please contact me to confirm your participation by sending me an email.

The retake exam will cover the same topics and have a similar format but will be a completely different exam.

Physical Science 107: Most important article to read

March 2, 2012 Current Issues in Physical Science / Physical Science

I’ve identified the following article as the most important article to read – it gives the best summary of the issues around fresh water:

http://www.postcarbon.org/Reader/PCReader-Postel-Water.pdf

Physical Science 107: Challenge

February 28, 2012 Current Issues in Physical Science / Physical Science

For credit – take a bag with you and walk around one city block looking for plastic items that have been thrown on the ground. Pick them up (you may wish to wear disposible gloves) and collect them in your bag. At then end of your walk take a picture of what you’ve collected and send it to me via email (jwalker@ccc.edu). Then throw the plastic trash away:-)

Chem 201: Exam One List of Topics

February 27, 2012 Chemistry / Chemistry 201

Please focus on the following topics:
Empirical Formulas
Combustion Analysis
Hydrate Analysis
Oxidation States
Nomenclature (Especially Polyatomic Ions)
Stoichiometry (mass-mole and solution)
Percent Yield
Redox (Balancing in Acid)

I will be available all day tomorrow (except when I am in class from 11 to 12:20). My office phone number is 773-907-4698.

Physical Science 107: Cabbage pH indicator

February 26, 2012 Current Issues in Physical Science / Physical Science

Here is the scale of colors for the cabbage juice that tells you the pH. Remember that the solution you test must be colorless or the scale may not match. Use this scale as a guideline. If you wish to prepare this pH indicator read more.

Physical Science 107: Ocean Acidification

February 17, 2012 Current Issues in Physical Science / Physical Science

Please prepare for this topic by reading the following document:

http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/files/thecircle0410.pdf

Announcements: Truman has programs to help you stop smoking

February 15, 2012 Announcements

The Courage to Quit group will be meet from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. today, Feb. 15 in Lecture Hall C, room 3641, facilitated by JP Jael of Asian Human Services and Karen Caldwell-Littleton, the Truman Wellness Center manager.

The Wellness Center will continue to partner with Asian Human Services to provide ongoing support to individuals and groups. The grant funding the Courage to Quit program for Asian Human Services will expire by March, but they have offered to continue working with Truman to provide some support, including ongoing smoking cessation support groups and distribution of the current supply of materials.

If you cannot attend today’s session you may call Karen Caldwell-Littleton (773) 907 4045. The wellness center is in room 177 in our new building.

Physical Science 107: Jeopardy

February 14, 2012 Current Issues in Physical Science / Physical Science

Please visit this page to find links to jeopardy games

http://justonly.com/physci/ps107/lessons/jeopardy/index.php

Chemistry 201: Small Group Sessions on Thursday

February 14, 2012 Chemistry / Chemistry 201

Two small group problem solving sessions are scheduled for Thursday. One will be at 9:30 am. The other will be at 1:00 pm.

Small group sessions are an excellent way to go over the techniques for problem solving at your own pace.

Small group sessions meet in my office – Room 3826.

Chem 201: Website for practicing equation balancing

February 13, 2012 Chemistry / Chemistry 201

http://chemistry.csudh.edu/lechelpcs/rxnbalancingcsn7.html

Let me know if you like it.

Physical Science 107: Ozone Lesson

February 11, 2012 Current Issues in Physical Science / Physical Science

Notes, take away points and a very short powerpoint have all been added to the ozone lesson. This lesson is now complete. Please go over the contents of this lesson to be sure you have learned the main facts and concepts.

http://justonly.com/physci/ps107/lessons/ozone.php

Physical Science 107: The Ozone Hole

February 11, 2012 Current Issues in Physical Science / Physical Science

From the background information listed in the lesson the most important piece is the video that is the second link. Everyone should watch this video.

Scholarship: Hispanic Students Scholarship Opportunity

February 10, 2012 Scholarships

I was given this link for a scholarship. It is specifically for Hispanic students going into STEM. It is a one time $2,000 scholarship. The deadline is on March 15th.

http://www.alliancescholars.org/applications/

P.S. STEM means Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

Chemistry 201: First Small Group Study Session

February 8, 2012 Chemistry / Chemistry 201

The first small group study session will be held in my office (Room 3826) on Thursday February 9th at 4PM.

Physical Science 107: Funny Video About Climate Change

February 8, 2012 Chemistry / Current Issues in Physical Science / Physical Science

I think you will enjoy watching this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtnu9b701RE

and we can discuss what this is saying about the pubic understanding of climate change.

Chem 201: Pink Slime

February 4, 2012 Chemistry / Chemistry 201

I will be discussing the chemistry of this article in class on Monday. You might find it interesting…

http://www.straight.com/article-599346/vancouver/mcdonalds-stops-use-ammonium-hydroxide-pink-slime-hamburgers

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