Spring 2004 WIBS News

May 22, 2004

The Washington-Idaho Border section of the American Chemical Society (WIBS-ACS) is pleased to announce the winner of the 1^st Annual Chemagination contest, a poster competition in which high school students are asked to write a 1000 word article concerning the theme: “Twenty-five years in the future, what breakthrough or innovation related to chemistry and/or its applications will improve the quality of a teenager's life?" The competition was held in the Palouse Discovery Science Center in Pullman (http://www.palousescience.com/) on Saturday May 22, 2004.

Jesse Kure and Travis Stone of Pullman Christian High School won the top prize of $100 each for their poster entitled Power Clothes, which describes a futuristic view of clothing. They propose the invention of a type of clothing that generates electrical power based on the movement of the wearer and advances in nanotechnology. Such clothing would be able to generate enough power to operate devices such as small computers, GPS, and lights. This sort of technology will be beneficial to those in remote access situations including campers and in military applications.

Second place winners Amy Dieker and Kelsey Gregory (Pullman Christian High School) each won $75 for their poster entitled Beat the Fridge Binge and $50 each to third place winners Nathan Troll and Louis Young for their poster on The Perfect Tire.

Several area schools were invited to participate in the competition. The organizers hope to encourage greater participation from local high schools next year. The judges included graduate students, faculty, and staff from the University of Idaho, Lewis and Clark State College, and Washington State University. The WIBS-ACS wishes to express its gratitude to the Palouse Discovery Science Center, all participants, especially Mr. Jamie Gleason, science teacher at Pullman Christian High School, Pullman Starbucks for a complimentary gift for Mr. Gleason, and Pullman Subway sandwiches for discounted catering of the contest.

Jesse Kure and Travis Stone of Pullman Christian High School this year’s winner of the Chemagination contest sponsored by the Washington-Idaho Border section of the American Chemical Society.

April 8, 2004

Congratulations to our own Nick Natale for his award from the Idaho Academy of Sciences. The press release from the IAS follows:

The Idaho Academy of Science is pleased to announce that the two top science awards for 2004 were presented to an INEEL Engineer and a University of Idaho Chemist at the recent Annual Meeting and Symposium of the Academy at Idaho State University in Pocatello.
 
The 2004 Distinguished Scientist/Engineer Award was presented to Dr. Richard Boardman of Idaho Falls.  Boardman was cited for "his exceptional leadership and innovative applications of science and engineering principles to develop and implement practical science-based solutions to unique environmental discharge problems of national importance and impact."
 
Boardman, originally from Kanab, Utah, has worked at the INEEL since 1990 and is a Consulting Engineer and Technical Lead for waste treatment processes, fossil energy research and offgas measurements and controls. Boardman has an intense interest in researching and developing new technologies to reduce or eliminate hazardous and radioactive offgas emissions from industrial waste treatment processes. He consults with other DOE laboratories, private companies and international agencies to resolve clean air issues. He holds a doctorate degree in Chemical Engineering and has served as an Adjunct Research Assistant, thesis advisor and student mentor.
 
The 2004 Distinguished Science Communicator Award was presented to Dr. Nicholas R. Natale, a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Idaho in Moscow.   Natale was cited for "his outstanding contributions to furthering chemical education nationwide, especially for his ability to communicate the science of chemistry through everyday experiences."
 
Natale, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, earned BS and PhD degrees at Drexel University where he excelled in organic chemistry research and concurrently demonstrated his extraordinary ability to communicate concepts of chemistry to people who may have little initial interest in the subject.     Dr. Natale was elected to membership in Phi Lambda Upsilon, the Honorary Chemical Society (1975), and Sigma Xi (1981).  He received a University of Idaho Alumni Award for Excellence in 1987.  He is a lifetime member of the Idaho Academy of Science and also has held leadership positions in the American Chemical Society.   Dr. Natale is known by his associates as a person who stimulates others to become deeply interested in chemistry and has led many students to pursue careers in that field, especially teaching.   Dr. Natale is known among scientists nationwide for his ability to communicate to students and to the public the concept of chemical moles in a creative and entertaining manner that is both easy to learn and to remember. 
 
The Idaho Academy of Science is an affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Association of Academies of Science.  For information contact: Philip A Anderson, Executive Director, Idaho Academy of Science, 909 Lucille Ave., Pocatello, ID 83201-2542   IdAcadSci@aol.com     Website http://www.isu.edu/ias/