Resumen de Notes on an Outreach Forum for High School Chemistry Teachers - An Unexpected Success
Public realization in the United States of deficiencies in understanding basic facts and processes in science and mathematics is mounting. Teachers in these areas at all levels are key players in the challenges to come. This paper describes the activities of one small group of high school chemistry teachers as they have explored these challenges. The group of approximately sixteen has met regularly on the campus of California State University, Long Beach during the past seven years. The meetings (two or three each semester) are informal three-hour sessions over the dinner hour (box dinners are provided). A feature of each meeting is discussion of articles selected from the Journal of Chemical Education including retesting with variation of "Tested Demonstrations". Subscriptions to the Journal are provided to members. No fees are charged nor course credit given. The article outlines many of the program features, describes recruitment and changes in membership over time, examines possibilities for replication and emphasizes the great desire of secondary level chemistry teachers for exchange of ideas with peers. It explores the question "what did we do right?" in launching this successful forum.
