Special Video Report
Courtesy: National Science Foundation, NBC-Learn and The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
In celebration of the International Year of Chemistry, NBC Learn, the educational arm of NBC News, has teamed up with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) to produce Chemistry Now, a weekly, online, video series that uncovers and explains the science of common, physical objects in our world and the changes they undergo every day.
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Select a video by clicking on a topic below
Chance Discoveries: Post-it Notes
This installment tells the story of 3M chemist Spencer Silver who, in the 1960s, created a weak adhesive with no apparent practical use -- until a colleague, Arthur Fry, used it to develop the first Post-It Notes. The pads were developed and first hit the market in 1980.
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Glue From Mussels: Purdue Chemist Synthesizes Wet-Set Adhesive
Purdue University materials chemist and marine biologist Jon Wilker explains his work: creating a new synthetic glue by mimiicking the molecular structure of the sticky subtance secreted by mussels and oysters.
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The Chemistry of Chocolate
"The Chemistry of Chocolate" uses chocolate-making to illustrate and explain chemical reactions related to heat, melting point, and formation of crystal structures.
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Water: H2O Molecules Made Clear
"Water: H2O Molecules Made Clear" explains the structure, polarity, cohesive and adhesive properties that makes H2O a chemical essential for life.
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Mirror Molecule: Carvone
"Mirror Molecule: Carvone" uses carvone, a chiral molecule, to explain how the "handedness" of a molecule can change its properties -- in this case giving us the differing flavors of spearmint, caraway and dill.
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Distributed by NIEonline.com with permission
About NBC Learn
NBC Learn is the educational arm of NBC News dedicated to providing resources for students, teachers, and lifelong learners. The online resources NBC Learn has created for the education community leverages nearly 80 years of historic news coverage, documentary materials, and current news broadcasts. Currently two unique offerings, iCue and NBC News Archives on Demand, give students and teachers access to thousands of video clips from the NBC News archives, including great historic moments--from the Great Depression to the Space Race to the latest political coverage. NBC Learn also offers primary source materials, lesson plans and classroom planning resources, and additional text and image resources from our content partners.
About the National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2010, its budget is about $6.9 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives over 45,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), www.nsta.org, is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes more than 58,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
Additional Resources
NBC-Learn | National Science Foundation
NBC News Video Archives on Demand
