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The International Year of Chemistry 2011 (IYC 2011) is a worldwide
celebration of the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to
the well-being of humankind. Under the unifying theme
"Chemistry--our life, our future," IYC 2011 will offer a range
of interactive, entertaining, and educational activities for all ages.
The Year of Chemistry is intended to reach across the globe, with
opportunities for public participation at the local, regional, and
national level.
The goals of IYC2011 are to increase the public appreciation of
chemistry in meeting world needs, to encourage interest in chemistry
among young people, and to generate enthusiasm for the creative future
of chemistry. The year 2011 will coincide with the 100th anniversary of
the Nobel Prize awarded to Madame Marie Curie-an opportunity to
celebrate the contributions of women to science. The year will also be
the 100th anniversary of the founding of the International Association
of Chemical Societies, providing a chance to highlight the benefits of
international scientific collaboration.
IYC 2011 events will emphasize that chemistry is a creative science
essential for sustainability and improvements to our way of life.
Activities, such as lectures, exhibits, and hands-on experiments, will
explore how chemical research is critical for solving our most vexing
global problems involving food, water, health, energy, transportation,
and more.
In addition, the Year of Chemistry will help enhance international
cooperation by serving as a focal point or information source for
activities by national chemical societies, educational institutions,
industry, governmental, and non-governmental organizations. The Royal
Society of Chemistry is organising the UK's participation in the
biggest ever global chemistry experiment taking place during 2011, the
United Nations International Year of Chemistry. School-age children from
all backgrounds and all nations can conduct a set of simple experiments
in summer 2011. These will provide a unique worldwide data set on the
quality of local water supplies, with the results to be analysed and
published later in the year. Teachers can involve their school by using
practical activities based around the theme "Water: A Chemical
Solution" highlighting water as a universal solvent and its role in
society and the environment.
The activities include four different experiments which can be
carried out by children of all ages in schools everywhere. The
experiments give students an appreciation of chemical investigation and
data collection and validation. They are adaptable to the skills and
interests of all students and use equipment that is widely available at
little or no cost. By the end of 2011, the results will be displayed on
the IYC data collection website as an interactive global data map
demonstrating the value of international cooperation in science. The
Global Experiment will give students across the opportunity to study the
aspects of water quality and water purification in their own
environment. Each aspect is supported by two component experiments from
which teachers can choose the best fit to their own educational program
details are available via http://www.rsc.org/Chemsoc/
Activities/IYC/Major Projects/GlobalExperiment.asp
Speaking at the launch in the UK of IYC, Professor David Phillips,
President of the Royal Society of Chemistry and Editor Emeritus of
Science Progress, said that "the International Year of Chemistry is
a tremendous opportunity to inspire young people to take an interest in
the chemical sciences.
"Tackling the future world challenges of sustainable energy,
food and water supplies, and maintaining public health and comfortable
lifestyle, will require expertise in chemistry. The chemical science
community is delighted to seize this unparalleled opportunity to stir
passion in the young people of today to meet the challenges of
tomorrow."