A Periodic Table of the Moles
Nicholas R. Natale
301 Renfrew Hall, Department of Chemistry
University of Idaho, Moscow ID 83844-2343
When we set out to plan our activities for November 2001, we wanted to include themes that could possibly involve our Native American students and teachers in our ACS Local section, in cooperation with our Student Affiliates. The reason for this is quite simple: representation of Native Americans in science needs improvement. Minorities comprise 23% of the American population, but only 6% of the labor force in Science and Engineering, of which less than 1% are Native American. The overall effort to the long range goal should be seen as part of an on-going series of small steps, begun by the author with the sponsorship of American Chemical Society’s Project SEED in the early 1980’s, participation in the NIH Minority apprenticeship Program (to 1991), includes the current proposed program, and a commitment to carry on for the long run if progress is to be made towards this goal. Our achievement to date? Two Native American students progressed through my labs during their summer high school program to degrees. While these students serve as role models, and may help the program in the future, clearly we have to try harder.
We began our renewed outreach at the Tutixmepu Pow-wow [ <http://oxygen.chem.uidaho.edu/ifcheng/wibs/spring_2001_news_and_events.htm>, & scroll down to January 25, 2001] , where we did succeed in making some contacts with students and teachers. After some further thought we considered specifically designing a program which might have a legitimate connection from chemistry to our local Native American scientists –in-waiting.
The vehicle for the short run will be National Chemistry Week 2001, for which the theme Celebrating Chemistry and Art has been selected by National. The mission of NCW is to help the public better understand the nature and importance of chemistry. The ACS has adopted the mole as a mascot, the furry creature which burrows underground has the same name as the chemist’s concept for measuring molecules (a.k.a. Avagadro’s number). For NCW the ACS likes to sponsor thematic poster and T-shirt design contests. At this point the connection came from a tangent, a Tony Hillerman novel entitled "People of Darkness", which turns out to be the Navajo’s literal translation for mole. Further delving reveals that a Native American creation myth stars none other than Hosteen mole, who is a guardian of one of the six sacred directions (underground). And further, the Zuni carve fetishes (amulets) of these guardians. Now a literal connection could be made to the chemical nature of the minerals, and I have uncovered a very specific aspect of the project which could apply to all first year chemistry courses, courtesy of Tanya Phillips <http://members.aol.com/ZuniArt/Mole.html>. The experiment involves weighing a mole fetish, and using its mineral composition, calculating the number of molecules, or moles in the mole. This could be used in all 100 level chemistry classes.
Our planning for the program began in the summer. Two students in our HOIST program, Jennifer Synder and Feather Broncheau, helped put together a display in Renfrew Hall, a poster announcing our program, and photographs to be used for our web site. The unveiling of the Periodic table of the Moles was on July 6, with a "Job Tour" for about twenty HOIST students and HOIST coordinator Kristine Attao. Jennifer and Dr. Natale explained the purpose of the Mole of Art theme. Then on July 12, the Student Affiliate together with graduate students puton a demonstration show for the combined Upward bound and HOIST students. For the grand finale, while ice cream was being prepared, Dr. Natale explained the contest. And on July 18, Dr. Natale gave a presentation on ethno-botanicals and medicine to the Upward Bound Math and Science class and instructor Earnest Rufus 6. With these activities we introduced students and teachers in our local section about the contest. The hope is that these people will in turn be our "moles" for our outreach program.
Caption: Dr. Nick, left, Feather Broncheau, center, a HOIST in-service education major working on the "Mole of Art & Periodic Table of the Moles " project, and Dr. Dan Stelck, right, WIBS president -elect.
Caption: Jennifer Snyder, left, HOIST student who helped Dr. Nick put together and photograph the display.
However, it is the underlying nature of the Zuni mole amulets that make, perhaps, a more meaningful and significant connection. The amulets are often used for luck in hunting, thus the mountain lion amulet would be used for deer hunting. The mole is the predator of the nadir, and also of small game. The amulets can also be used for diagnosing disease, occasionally for curative properties, for example the mole might be used to ward off rodents in a garden.
Native Americans have unique health concerns. Infant mortality, and diabetes, and certain types of cancer are more prevalent, and cardiovascular disease and stroke somewhat less prevalent than the white population <http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2001pres/01fsminhlth.html>. Infectious diseases, hantavirus and the plague, also have been observed on the reservations. Bacteria, viruses, outlaw cancer cells, these are the ultimate kind of small game. In the realm of molecular warrior the medicinal chemist would properly carry a shield bearing the mole, and for better luck in hunting use a mole amulet. Thus, the Native American division of our poster contest "A Mole of Art" will be the design of a proper shield for a medicinal chemistry warrior, with appropriate legend. On discussion with the local ACS section, it was suggested that we not limit the contest to drawing and painting but expand "Art" to include sculpture and interpretive dance. A mole dance, for example.
Follow-up on the program is essential, in the words of the ACS president: "we are not here to tell you what you need: you must tell us, and we will try to help" (Chemical & Engineering News, October 23, 2000, pp 124-5). Therefore, I intend to survey the Native American Schools after the presentation and contest. We will present the main areas where chemistry could possibly interest and serve this population: Environmental issues, ethno-botany, mineralogy, and health, and establish a dialogue to find which areas stimulate the most interest, and keep an ear open for suggestions.
But most importantly, a few steps forward have been made in making contacts with this group, under-represented in science, towards the goal of establishing a long-term working relationship, and placing a few good role models in the community.
References
1. Tony Hillerman, "People of Darkness" , Harper Collins Publishers (NY, 1980)
2. Frank Hamilton Cushing, "Zuni Fetishes", Government Printing Office, (Washington, D.C. 1883).
3. Marian Ridee and James Ostler, "The Fetish Carvers of Zuni" Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, (University of New Mexico, 1990).
4. Kent McManis "A Guide to Zuni Fetishes & Carvings: Volume II. The Materials & the Carvers", Treasure Chest Books, (Tucson, AZ , 1998).
5. Mark Bahti, "Spirit in the Stone", Treasure Chest Books, (Tucson, AZ , 1999).
6. Janan Hayes and Patricia Perez, "Project Inclusion: Native American Plant Dyes", Chemical Heritage, 1997, 15, 38-40.
Copyright © 2001 Nick Natale