Local teachers discover “Chemistry with Charisma”

Annual workshop sponsored by Southern State Community College

In a scene reminiscent of an old “MacGyver” episode, local high school chemistry teachers put everyday objects to the test during an annual workshop sponsored by Southern State Community College.

Now in its fourth year, the daylong chemistry workshop welcomed 21 high school teachers to the college’s Fayette Campus in Washington Court House. The teachers earned continuing education credit for their participation.

Dr. David Garippa, professor of biology at Southern State, opened the workshop by presenting each participant with toolboxes stocked with ordinary materials –such as food storage containers.

Using only items provided in the toolboxes, Dr. Garippa showed the teachers how to create their own laboratory equipment for two experiments in chromatography (the separation of mixtures) using a method called electrophoresis (a process commonly used to separate DNA).

The afternoon session was led by Dr. Susan Hershberger, director for the Center for Chemistry Education of Miami University Middletown.

Dr. Hershberger’s presentation complemented the morning session with more experiments in chromatography. Using shaving cream, food coloring and toothpicks, she demonstrated how dyes separate or, in this case, hold together. Each participant was then presented with the two-volume set of “Chemistry with Charisma,” co-authored by Dr. Hershberger.

The local high school chemistry teachers participating in the annual workshops are working in concert with Southern State’s post-secondary enrollment option (PSEO) program which allows high school students the opportunity to earn college credit. Through the PSEO program, students who complete the requisite chemistry course at their respective high schools can earn college-level credit.

Also, as part of the program, those students are invited to participate in a one-day advanced laboratory experiment on one of Southern State’s four campus locations.

Those participating in the recent workshop included Aaron Berridge of Peebles High School, Kristine Coriell of Scioto County Career Technical Center, Cathy Daugherty of Paint Valley High School, Beth Downs of West Union High School, Dylan Fain of Eastern High School, Gil Farr of Clinton-Massie High School, Leann Frazer-Watkins of Hillsboro High School, Alan Gabriel of Westfall High School, Matt Geggie of Wilmington High School, Andrea Harpen of Blanchester High School, Jim Hopkins of Hillsboro High School, Kathy Jacobs of Southern Hills Career and Technical Center, Al Jones of Miami Trace High School, Glenna Rowe of Washington High School, Joe Spurlock of North Adams High School, Jackie Walker of East Clinton High School, Sarah Weisner of Fairfield High School, Jennifer Whited of Whiteoak High School, and Dave Whittington of Georgetown High School.

To learn more about this chemistry program, contact Dr. Donald Storer, SSCC professor of chemistry, at 1-800-628-7722, ext. 2645, or by email dstorer@sscc.edu. For more information about Southern State Community College, please call 1-800-628-7722, email info@sscc.edu or visit www.sscc.edu.