PINHEAD SCHOLARS IN THE SCHOOLS

Josef Francisco, Professor of Chemistry at Purdue University and President-Elect of ACS participated in the Pinhead Scholars in the Schools program in May 2008. He gave talks on the chemistry of the atmosphere and impact of pollutants on climate change. Francisco’s clear-thinking lecture style allowed students to understand climate change at a deeper level.

David Coker, Boston University Chemisty Professor, presented a demonstration of "The Science of Steam" at the Telluride Mountain School to all first grade through eleventh grade students. This was the first all school assembly presesnted by Pinhead Institute at the Mountain School and it was tremendously well received. Coker's sense of humor and drama caught the attention of the teachers as well as students. 

Scott Tenenbaum, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Gen*NY*Sis
Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics, University at Albany-SUNY, visited four regional school districts and presented two lectures, “Demystifying Genetics” and “Eugenics” in the winter of 2007. Tenenbaum’s honest and frank discussions caught the attention of even the most recalcitrant teenagers.

Kieron Burke, University of California, Irvine, Professor of Heretical Physics and Chemistry, presented quantum mechanics to the regional middle/high school students freshingly using a blackboard, tennis balls, and a cardboard box, rather than powerpoint. And as is usual with this subject matter, some students went away with their heads hurting from the mind blowing ideas, while others clambered to learn more. He also spoke with students in classroom settings, and presented chaos theory games to 7th graders.

John Straub, Professor of Chemistry at Boston University and President of TSRC, presented "A Lively Tour of the Periodic Table" to all 1800 regional students in five school districts, in five different presentations, in the fall of 2005 and winter of 2006. His chemical experiments, replete with explosions and smoke, delighted the kids.

TELLURIDE UNEARTHED LECTURES
David Coker, Boston University Professor of Theoretical Chemistry and TSRC Board Member, participated in this annual lecture series hosted by Pinhead Institute and the Telluride Historical Museum. His talk, "The Science of Steam," was given on November 9, 2007 in the series entitled “A Railroad in the Valley.”

John Straub, President of TSRC (2006-2008) and BU Chemistry Professor, gave a talk on “The Chemistry of Mining” for the Unearthed series in November 2005.

PINHEAD INTERNSHIPS WITH TSRC MENTORS
Andrew McCammon: During six weeks in the summer of 2008, Meghan Cain, Telluride High School, Class of 2009, mentored with Andrew McCammon in his UC San Diego lab for her the Pinhead Internship. She worked on Avian Flu inhibitors.
“We very much enjoyed having Meghan as a member of our group this past summer! She participated at the level of a good graduate student – some real contributions on the research front and a lively presence.”
J. Andrew McCammon, PhD, Joseph E. Mayer Professor of Theoretical Chemistry at University of California, San Diego

“I'm discovering a whole new ‘world’ of science and education. Honestly, the rate at which I'm gaining scientific knowledge and understanding is incredible - it doesn't compare to high school. I'm glad to be challenging my mind and entering a line of work that is very needed.”
Meghan Cain, Telluride High School, Class of 2009 

R. Stephen Berry, University of Chicago distinguished professor of chemistry, McArthur Fellow, and National Academy of Sciences Officer mentored Mesa Hollinbeck of Norwood High School at the University of Chicago, during the summer of 2006 for six weeks.

Mark Tuckerman, New York University Professor of Math and Chemistry, mentored Harley Hollenbeck, of Ouray High School in Bochum, Germany at the Ruhr-Universitaet, during the summer of 2006 for six weeks.R. Stephen Berry, University of Chicago distinguished professor of chemistry, McArthur Fellow, and National Academy of Sciences Officer mentored Mesa Hollinbeck of Norwood High School at the University of Chicago, summer 2006

TSRC SUMMER INTERNS IN TELLURIDE

Philip Straub, intern with TSRC and Pinhead Institute in Telluride, Summer 2006 and 2007. Philip is a junior at Bozeman Montana High School, and the son of John Straub, president of the Telluride Science Research Center. Among other duties, he wrote articles for Pinhead Institute's "Ask a Pinhead" series.

Mila Re, TSRC intern in 2007 between her junior and senior years in high school,  from Davis, California. She almost single-handedly ran the Pinhead Punk Science program, helped with the Town Talks, wrote Ask a Pinhead columns, and assisted Nana in all aspects of TSRC operations. Mila was brought to TSRC’s attention by Brian Fisher, an entomologist at the California Academy of Sciences and a Pinhead Scholar. Mila is now an undergraduate at Stanford University.