Janet Clark, assistant professor of chemistry at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, presented “Easing the Pain of Chemistry for Non-Majors by Using Learning Objects” at the 20th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, July 27-31.

The Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE) is a national meeting sponsored by the Division of Chemical Education of the American Chemical Society. The conference, which was held at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., is designed for middle school science teachers, secondary school chemistry teachers, graduate students, and college chemistry instructors and professors. The conference provides chemistry teachers with opportunities for interacting with colleagues at all levels in formal and informal settings.

Clark joined the SMWC faculty in July 2003 after working as a research chemist at ExxonMobil for seven years. She teaches courses in physics and chemistry for non-majors and integrated science for elementary education majors. She is a member of a member of the National Science Teachers Association and the American Chemical Society, and she is the Immediate Past President for Iota Sigma Pi, a national honor society for women in chemistry. She holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Millikin University and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Purdue University, and her interests include chemistry education and outreach.

The Sciences and Mathematics Department at SMWC offers majors in biology, life sciences education, medical technology, pre-professional studies (pre-dental, pre-med and pre-vet), mathematics and mathematics education. The College also offers minors in biology, chemistry, environmental sciences and mathematics. In these programs, innovative teaching methods, a collaborative learning atmosphere, pedagogically sound laboratory curricula, computer-based experiments/activities and opportunities for undergraduate research present students with an inspiring and experiential learning environment.

For more information about the science and mathematics programs at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, contact the SMWC Office of Admission by email at smwcadms@smwc.edu or by phone at 812-535-5106 or 1-800-926-SMWC.