Latest news with #chemistry
Times
3 days ago
- Science
- Times
How to make chemistry fun for kids
Why is breakfast cereal magnetic? How does sand help you to see? Why did that German guy try to turn wee into gold and what did he find instead? Elements of the Day doesn't just blast off soon-to-be-forgotten facts about the periodic table. It tells the story of chemical elements in our everyday lives by fusing them with the daily, domestic moments that will be familiar to every child. It's a clever formula — and an effective one. From wake up to bedtime, we are introduced to many of the scientific miracles that are happening all around us. 'Elements — and all the stuff you can build from them — make every part of your day possible in unexpected and fascinating ways, though most people don't give them much thought. However, once you open your eyes, you'll start seeing lots of these elements in your daily life,' the author Samantha Lewis says as she urges young readers to experiment with their breakfast.
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
'My dog Bella is a real flirt. She'd fall for his charm': Find out if it was a match for Annie and Bhumik on this week's Blind Date
ANNIE, 27 Single for five months, no children. Dating Past? I was with someone for seven years (and engaged for three of them), but that ended two years ago. Mum would love me to meet a guy, but she prioritises me being happy. And I have a cocker spaniel, Bella, who takes up my time. Pre-Date Nerves? No. In my job, I meet new people all the time. First Impressions? Bhumik had made an effort – not all men do – and was wearing a shirt with a nice blazer. He looked smart but not too flashy, and has lovely chocolate-brown eyes and a big, friendly smile. He seemed nervous when I hugged him. But after he joked about the swivel chairs at the bar spinning out of control, he seemed to relax. Easy To Talk To? Yes. Bhumik noted I was vegan and said he was happy to join me in not eating meat. I didn't feel like he was judging me for my diet, which a lot of men do. We bounced off one another. I've got a quick sense of humour and not many guys match my energy, but he did. Embarrassing Moments? My dog Bella is a real flirt. She'd fall for his charm When I went to the loo, the tap was a bit over-excited so I splashed water all down my dress. I had to jokingly reassure Bhumik that I am toilet-trained. Did Sparks Fly? There was definitely chemistry. I'm flirtatious and Bhumik seemed relaxed, although I couldn't tell if he was flirting back or not. We were together for six hours, and I would have stayed longer if I hadn't had to get back to my dog. See him again? I'd like to see Bhumik again. I'm a slow-burner but I feel there is potential. I was the one to ask for his number and we've texted one another since. What do you think he thought of you? I hope he liked me. He did tell me I looked lovely and that he loved my dress. Apparently, the team at the photoshoot had told him I was gorgeous. I couldn't resist asking him if it was true, and he said: 'Massively!' We had a hug goodbye at the station. Would your friends and family like him? YES. My dog Bella is a big flirt and I know she'd fall head over heels for Bhumik's charm. BLIND DATE VITAL STATISTICS ANNIE, 27 Single for five months, no children. Current Role Long-haul cabin crew. Would Like To Meet A kind, funny, adventurous guy who's not selfish, rude or lazy. BHUMIK, 37 Single for a year, no children. Current Role Financial planning and advice manager. Would Like To Meet A glass-half-full woman who is respectful and deals with others graciously BHUMIK, 37 Single for a year, no children. Dating Past? I've only had three relationships and none of them involved us living together because, for my family, that would be the equivalent of getting engaged. My last relationship ended in April 2024 and was the closest to getting to the next romantic level. Pre-Date Nerves? Yes! When Annie arrived she enveloped me in a hug. I think she noticed I was nervous so I made a joke about the swivelling bar chairs, which made her laugh – so I knew we'd have a good time. First Impressions? Annie is delightful company. She wore a sunny yellow dress and it really suited her. She looked better than I did. Easy To Talk To? Yes. Annie is bright and caring. She was touched that I was happy to eat vegan, and we also covered religion. We're agnostics and were both brought up in our parents' religions. Annie's background is Russian, Polish, Ukrainian and Irish, while mine is Indian. Despite all that, we had a lot of touchpoints. Embarrassing Moments? When Annie came back to the table from the loos, she made a quip about the enthusiastic taps and I joked: 'I can't take you anywhere.' We both laughed a lot. Did Sparks Fly? I thought so, but on first dates I don't look for chemistry and I don't flirt. A first date, for me, is a get-to-know-you opportunity. But it was easy to get along with Annie. See her again? I hope to, yes. I messaged her after our date saying: 'By the way, I got home safely. You can stop worrying.' She immediately replied: 'I was about to send out a search party.' Our humour is very similar, which is always a good sign. What do you think she thought of you? She said she was nervous about asking for my number and you wouldn't do that if you didn't want to see someone again, would you? I'd like to think I made a good impression. The date ended with a hug – I don't kiss on a first date. I'm not sure if that's normal! Would your friends and family like her? Yes, as we're both optimists. Annie will always leave someone feeling better about themselves. ANNIE'S VERDICT: 9/10 Liked? I loved Bhumik's wit. Regrets? None that I can think of. Coffee or cab? Coffee. BHUMIK'S VERDICT: 10/10 Liked? Annie's charisma. Coffee or cab? Coffee.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
More than 115 years of chemistry among Chemical Abstracts Service, scientists and Columbus
Chemical Abstracts Service — an American Chemical Society publication that curates and analyzes published science worldwide on new chemical substances or new info about existing substances — was founded by William A. Noyes in 1907. Two years later, Chemical Abstracts' staff moved from the University of Illinois to Ohio State University, and they've been in Columbus since. More than 400 journals were abstracted by the service in 1909, giving Ohio State's chemistry department access to all the information in the abstracts. In 1965, Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) moved to a new building on a 50-acre site east of Olentangy River Road, just north of the Ohio State campus in Columbus. This was also the same year CAS installed a computer center, which stored their new Chemical Registry System and sped up research operations at the facility. In addition, CAS staff members were reading more than 10,000 reports a month by 1965 and abstracting them for scientists around the world. CAS expanded in 1973 with a new five-story building that opened next to the existing building. The first three floors were dedicated to research and development and production operations divisions, including a computer complex. Brubaker Brandt Inc. was the architectural firm that designed the expansion, and Garwick and Ross Inc. were the general contractors. CAS was by 1973 reviewing 400,000 reports of new research and developments in chemistry each year and abstracting the content. They published a 600-page weekly journal, which contained more than 7,000 abstracts of articles. In 1983, CAS signed an exchange agreement with FIZ Karlsruhe in West Germany to share databases. The database was named STN (Scientific & Technical Information Network). United States scientists gained access to FIZ Karlsruhe's computer files on physics, mathematics, engineering and nuclear technology, while European researchers gained access to CAS' data bank on chemical substances. Increasing access to scientific information, CAS launched SciFinder in 1995, the client software that enabled chemists to search CAS databases from their personal computers using a point-and-click interface. A web version of the software launched in 2008 is still operating today. More recently, CAS announced in 2022 the release of nearly 500,000 CAS registry numbers under an open license in their Common Chemistry project. The registry covers areas of community interest, including common and frequently regulated chemicals, and those relevant to high school and undergraduate chemistry classes. Aaron O'Donovan is the Special Collections manager with the Columbus Metropolitan Library. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Chemical Abstracts has curated scientific info in Columbus since 1909
Mail & Guardian
16-05-2025
- Science
- Mail & Guardian
Advancing the teaching of chemistry in Overberg education district
According the CAPS curriculum for Natural Sciences, content of the second term covers the Matter and Materials knowledge area generally referred to as chemistry. To address this part of the curriculum, Advancing Knowledge Non-Profit Company (AK NPC) continued with its professional development programme for Natural Sciences teachers in the Overberg region. A total of 44 intersen (grade 4-7) teachers attended the Inquiry-Based Science Education (IBSE01) course on Friday 9 May 2025 and a smaller group of senior phase (grades 8 and 9) teachers attended the course on Saturday 10 May 2025. The training took place in the science laboratory of De Rust Futura Academy in Grabouw. This science laboratory called a STEM Teaching and Learning Centre (STEM TLC) was constructed through the partnership between AK NPC, Garden Cities Archway Foundation and Western Cape Education Department. The basic philosophy of the ongoing Advancing Knowledge NPC professional development training is the inquiry-based approach which includes practical and experimental (inquiry-based) hands-on application of curriculum content of each school term. These sessions therefore serve to prepare teachers for the particular term's curriculum content. The teachers' participation was arranged in collaboration with the Overberg education district's science subject advisors Mr Jandre Gerber and Ms Clothilda van Aarde. The facilitators for the chemistry sessions were Ms Zaiboeniesa Ahmed (intersen phase) and Prof Shaheed Hartley (senior phase) assisted by AK NPC staff Saadiqah Fraden, Somila Dlakavu and Yusra Joubert (science interns) and projects coordinator Melissa Petersen. EXPLORING AND ADVANCING INTERSEN (GRADE 4-7) CHEMISTRY The science laboratory at De Rust Futura Academy was a hive of activity, noise, enthusiasm and excitement on Friday 9 May 2025 as a total 44 teachers participated in the chemistry activities prepared and presented to them by the facilitator and science interns. Teachers' basic chemistry knowledge was tested both theoretically and practically but also extended and advanced through carefully selected experiments and investigations. Challenging teachers conceptions of dependent, independent and constant variables always bring out debate as many teachers are not always sure when faced with different experimental scenarios. In the end teachers actively participated in chromatography, pH testing of everyday substances using various indicators, acids and bases reactions, testing the strength of materials, application and balancing of forces, solubility of substances and various chemical reactions. Because of the number of teachers present (44), they were also guided on group work, how to set out investigations and experiments for groups of learners and assessing learners participation in groups. The activities were specifically prepared so that teachers could translate it directly into their lessons for the second term. The following are some of the teachers' reflections: The chemistry experiments were very exciting as it made us think. I like the idea that you can use an experiment that did not quite reach what it was supposed to as a learning opportunity to find out what went wrong. The interaction with colleagues during the experiments certainly makes one think and learn new things. [Teacher] The experiments we did today was not difficult or complex. It is definitely what I will do in my science class. That is what I like about this workshop. It is practical and meaningful and in line with what we can use in our lessons. [Teacher] I am a new science teacher. I was overwhelmed at first with chemistry content and all the science teachers in the workshop but it was actually nice to be able to talk to each other and see how we teach things at our schools. The workshop definitely helped me on how to plan my practical science lessons. [Teacher] Teachers expressed their appreciation for motivating them to attend the course. They were very excited and indicated that they enjoyed themselves and learnt how to implement the inquiry-based approach to teaching. [Science Subject Advisor] CHALLENGING SENIOR PHASE (GRADES 8 and 9) CHEMISTRY TEACHERS Despite the threat of a storm on Saturday 10 May 2025, teachers attended the training at De Rust Futura Academy's science laboratory. They responded well to an example which illustrated the scientific method as they could easily transfer it into their natural science lessons. The facilitator engaged teachers in a detailed discussion about matter, phases, periodic table of elements, compounds and mixtures, etc. Teachers participated in the many chemistry activities including separation of mixtures (chromatography experiment), the relationship between mass, volume and density (liquids of differing viscosity experiment), acids and bases, the pH scale and indicators (testing the pH various household substances with different everyday indicators), acid and bases reactions (investigating neutralisation through titration), preparation, testing for and reactions of three gases, namely hydrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide (preparation of hydrogen gas and reaction with oxygen in pringles box experiment), preparation of oxygen (reaction with potassium chlorate experiment), burning of metals and non-metals in oxygen (experiment with carbon, steel wool and magnesium), testing the acidity or alkalinity of the solution (testing using litmus paper) and carbon dioxide testing. All chemistry activities were extracted from the natural sciences curriculum content and related directly with what teachers had to include in their chemistry lessons. Teachers expressed their impressions of the session in their reflections: The sessions were practically-based which is an area that I find difficulty teaching at my school. I liked that everyday substances were used which we could emulate in our classes. I really enjoyed the session. [Teacher] I was quite taken aback by the simplicity and ease with which these experiments are done. It gave me a new perspective of teaching chemistry. Inquiry-based teaching of chemistry is an approach I will definitely try out in my science class. [Teacher] I consider myself to be an experienced science teacher. It was good to be reminded of the practical approach to in-class teaching as opposed to doing the science experiments as an add-on to my normal science lessons. [Teacher] Teachers indicated that they enjoyed the training. Thank you for your assistance with the inquiry-based approach. It is important for our teachers to see how this is done first hand and to be hands-on with it as well. [Science Subject Advisor] This project was made possible by the partnership between Advancing Knowledge Non-Profit Company, Garden Cities Archway Foundation and Western Cape Education Department. Organisations and corporates that want to contribute to this initiative to empower and capacitate science teachers to build a critical mass of future STEM practitioners, are encouraged to make contact with the Director of AK NPC, Prof Shaheed Hartley (
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The TRUTH about Pamela Anderson's sexual chemistry with her 'mysterious' A-list costar
Pamela Anderson is no stranger to intimacy as part of a good old-fashioned on-screen romance - she has been in the industry for more than 30 years after all. She basically has it down to a science and knows how to keep it 'professionally romantic,' as she said herself in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. Speaking about her latest role in the reboot of The Naked Gun with Liam Neeson, Anderson, 57, said, 'Our chemistry was clear from the start.' And 72-year-old Neeson admitted to feeling the same way. In an interview with PEOPLE back in October, he said, 'With Pamela, first off, I'm madly in love with her. She's just terrific to work with.' To help foster these feelings into a great on-screen romance, Anderson and Neeson have been working closely together both on and off set. 'I invited him and his assistant over for romantic dinners with me and my assistant so our relationship stayed "professionally romantic" during filming,' Anderson said. She had only good things to say about him as she called Neeson 'mysterious,' 'inspiring,' and a 'true gentleman.' Anderson even said that it was 'electrifying' to work with him. Playing a couple on-screen, simulating intimate scenes together, and cultivating that romance off-screen seems like the making of falling in love (especially considering Neeson already said he was) - so how do actors avoid it? Ciara Bogdanovic, therapist and founder at Sagebrush Psychotherapy, works in Los Angeles and comes across many actors. She told that at the end of the day, it is just their job - no matter how much they get into character. 'These scenes are highly choreographed, often down to the placement of hands, eye contact, and breath,' Bogdanovic said of on-screen intimate scenes. 'They're filmed in unglamorous conditions including being surrounded by crew, under bright lights, and with multiple takes. 'Acting is not about personal intimacy.' She explained that because these roles are 'work' - and often something these professionals train for - it's easy for actors to compartmentalize and move on. Anderson said that working with Neeson was 'electrifying' 'Just like any job, performance ends and you go home,' she said. Bogdanovic said that actors are usually using different acting techniques to get into a scene, so they're ultimately working to get into a character's experience - not their own. Now, if you've watched any film sex scene and thought, 'Well, if that's acting, why does it look so real?' Bogdanovic said that's the magic of editing and acting. And as for the famous actors who have fallen in love on set - think Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson (though we know how that one ended) - Bogdanovic explained that it was less about their sexual chemistry on-screen and more about how often they spend time together off-screen. 'Long hours and being constantly surrounded by each other in an intense environment, it is easy to develop feelings under these conditions,' she said.
