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Statement: “Improving people’s lives through the transforming
power of chemistry.” How will I build on our new vision? I’ll
focus on a few key areas in which we can have a transforming
effect:
Education
I coauthor a general chemistry textbook entitled Chemistry:
The Central Science. That title reflects the message that my
coauthors and I impart throughout our text, namely that
chemistry is central to nearly all new scientific discoveries. As
chemists, we need to convey that centrality to our students so
as to stimulate their interest in the chemical sciences.
So how are we doing? Not as well as we could. As has been
starkly described in the recent NAS report, Rising Above the
Gathering Storm, we’re producing a smaller number of U.S.
science students. Further, our students often lack the critical
thinking skills to contribute to important competitiveness
initiatives. We in the ACS must be a stronger partner in
addressing these issues. We need to be more
transformational in education.
Communication
We’re pretty good at communicating among ourselves, but less
effective at taking our message to the rest of our world. Our
Society must become more effective at communicating the
positive message of chemistry to our stakeholders at all levels,
from elementary school students and teachers to the
legislators who control funding for basic and applied research.
We need to be the strongest and most vocal proponents of the
beauty and power of chemistry.
ACS Structure
Frankly, the ACS needs to transform the ways in which it
conducts business. We need to look critically at our
governance to make sure that we can transform ourselves
appropriately as chemistry itself transforms. I will work with the
Council and the Board to make positive changes in our
evolving Society.
We, the ACS membership, can work to improve our Society
and make its voice clearer, louder, and more effective.
general chemistry
textbook entitled
Chemistry: The
Central Science.
...As chemists, we
need to convey that
centrality to our
students..."
become more
effective at
communicating the
positive message of
chemistry to our
stakeholders at all
levels, from
elementary school
students and
teachers to the
legislators who
control funding..."
transform the ways
in which it conducts
business."
