Question One: What What got you excited about chemistry?

Paul Shin

The thrill of problem solving! I found that I had a natural calling toward chemistry specifically after entering college initially as a physics major- I wanted to be an astronomer! After having to face some cold, hard facts about making a future in astronomy, I turned toward a survey of all the sciences and found my calling- chemistry. The way this central science helps to answer fundamental questions of how everything works around us is key to my fascination with chemistry. Furthermore, the compatibility/overlap with other physical and life sciences helps to apply what I have learned (and continue to learn) toward problem solving. For me specifically, using chemical instrumentation (my "expensive toys") helps to puts pieces of a molecular structure together to solve the composition and shape of known or new compounds. Chemistry is simply fun to learn and to teach!

Michael A. Morgan

I took chemistry in high school because the teacher was one of the best teachers on campus. Everyone told me to take the class even if I was not interested in the subject. I too the course as a senior and really enjoyed it because of the teacher.

During my freshman year in college I was planning on being a history major. My first term I took an introductory chemistry class to make my science requirement for graduation thinking that having just taken chemistry it would be an easy way out. From the first ten minutes of the first class the professor changed my entire career outlook. His enthusiasm and his care for his students made it obvious to me that I wanted to do what he did. Take note that this tells you to never underestimate the influence that you as a teacher have or the influence that a teacher can have on you. Seek out the best and most varied classes you can.

Question Two: What was your biggest error in any lab you did, if any?

Paul Shin

I almost sliced off the tip of my left thumb once while in graduate school! Proper safety precautions and procedures should always be followed. I guess this is one of the reasons why I am now my department safety officer and involved with the LAPD HazMat Unit as a Specialist Reserve Officer.

Michael A. Morgan

I believe in and practice "Safe Science". I always wear protection (goggles, long pants, closed toe shoes) and have not had to deal with any bad accidents.

Question Three: If you could change one thing in science education today, what would that be?

Paul Shin

The support for science needs to be universal- from all types of people to every aspect of support. The public, grassroots effort led by those like The Science Cheerleader (Darlene Cavalier), the media (with the likes of Chris Mooney and Sheril Kirshenbaum) and scientists (e.g. Randy Olson) cover the range of our society and culture who share equal roles in this important endeavor of scientific literacy. In terms of support, it was only earlier this week that the federal government set forth a major funding mechanism for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education. This is the last and most important piece of the science education effort that clearly demonstrates the recognition, planning and funding of initiatives that make a real effort to deal with the national scientific (il)literacy problem! Kudos to the government for this, but this needs to be a sustained program that is permanent- not just a tossed bone (if you know what I mean)! So, to finally answer this question, it would be to install a permanent funding mechanism to support STEM education!

Michael A. Morgan

The amount of attention and funding that the government puts into education. There needs to be a revolution in education similar to the one that happened post Sputnik that ended up creating the Chem Study Program, PSSC Physics, and BSCS Biology curriculums.

Until the public and government views science and science education as cool and sexy there will not be any progress. We need to attract the very best teachers that we can, pay them enough to retain them, and watch them have an influence on kids like they did on me.

Question Four: What is the most important role that chemists can play in meeting some of the global challenges of today?

Paul Shin

There is a major shift toward "green chemistry" where research and development (R&D) in the academic, industrial and government labs are becoming more cognizant of ways to employ safer and "greener" chemical reactions and processes. A "top down" approach is demonstrated by the American Chemical Society for example in their Green Chemistry Institute. Participation in such important programs is imperative to our obligation as chemists to maintain and promote the health and
welfare of our planet!

Michael A. Morgan

Energy is the answer. We need reliable, cheap, clean energy sources. They exist it is just a matter of developing them and then breaking away from our current dependence on fossil fuels. This will help lead the way into cleaning up the mess we have created with our natural resources.