Chemed Conference

If you teach middle or high school chemistry, and consider yourself to be a professional, consider attending the Chemed Conference. It is held every other year in late July, alternating years with the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education of the American Chemical Society.

Chemed is done BY chemistry teachers FOR chemistry teachers, and if you are a professional, you cannot afford to miss it! At each conference, an ad hoc committee of volunteers is formed to plan the next conference. Conferences are held on university campuses, either in the United States or in Canada. Attendees stay in dormitories, so costs are comparatively low.

For a chemistry teacher, there is nothing like meeting with other chemistry teachers. The conversations and camaraderie are electric.

This conference is a LOT of FUN. Teachers of chemistry are very creative, so we really enjoy each other's company. You can bring your family members, too. Children and spouses are welcome and cared for. A number of presenters cater specifically to children in their "children's workshops." (I know. I am one of them.) So it can be planned as part of your family vacation.

The atmosphere of the conference is friendly and informal, although the presentations are tops. There are evening activities, such as concerts and ice cream socials. One year we had a gigantic ice carving of the periodic table! We really have fun together. It is warm and wonderful.

It is stimulating to share ideas and experiences with colleagues in the field.

Attendance is approximately 800 teachers. For chemistry teachers, there is no better place to network and exchange ideas.

I cannot say enough positive about this conference. I encourage ANY chemistry teacher to go at least once. Once you do, you'll probably come back. You will make genuine professional friends and meet like-minded people who love teaching chemistry.

The next conference is scheduled for July 31 - August 4th, 2005 in Vancouver, British Columbia. So you have about 4months to plan for it. And we would LOVE to have you present a workshop to share your teaching ideas with your colleagues. The planning committee is working to make this the best Chemed ever.

Since I went the first time, I never miss. It's simply too valuable to my career and too much fun.

Here is a link to the site with information for Chemed 2005. Check it out. It is absolutely worth it.