Curium

What does it mean to be a woman in science? If we're talking the periodic table, it's a rough life, seeing as only two women have elements named after them and they had to work with men in order to be published and gain recognition.

Recently I've spent some time thinking about this idea. Most women tend to go into biological sciences, which leads people to act strangely when they hear about a woman in chemistry or physics (though chemistry has become more welcoming). When people asked me about my major in college, they immediately assumed that I was going to medical school, because of the assumption that it would be unlikely for me to pursue an advanced degree in chemistry.

Now, when I tell people that I am in a teacher education program, they smile and nod, as if that was the expected answer. It is no surprise that people are not surprised, as teachers are primarily women with men concentrated mostly in secondary math and science. Women have a long history of being teachers, as it was one of the few occupations available to them for quite some time. But is there a point where you fight history and the self fulfilling prophecy to become a teacher?

If you asked Marie Curie, she might say yes. But Marie herself even started off teaching at a night school for women in her native Poland, before taking a risk and moving on to break barriers in the science community. She did groundbreaking research in a storage shed, reread: STORAGE SHED, and rarely gets recognition without the mention of her husband Pierre. Furthermore, ask people to name a woman scientist and they will say Marie Curie (though most call her Madame), but do they know about her accomplishments or that she was Polish, not French? Doubtful.

I like to think about Marie Curie and her background as a teacher when my lessons blow up in my face or when behavior management issues impede the amazing demonstrations I couldn't wait to do as a teacher. I think about how I might be selling myself short by not pursuing an advanced science degree, but I am reminded that even Marie Curie complied with societal norms for a time before taking risks.


About its Namesake: Curium is named for Marie and Pierre Curie (mainly Marie) who discovered polonium and radium. Marie Curie discovered radioactivity by concentrating radioactive elements found in uranium-bearing rocks. Because her work was done on a larger scale than today's work with radioactive elements, her whole lab was contaminated to the point where her lab notebooks had to be stored in lead-lined boxes.

Fun Fact: Curium is used in radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), which convert the heat from radioactive decay to usable energy. RTGs power space probes, as these instruments are operated for long periods of time away from people and other power sources.

Americium

It would not be fitting to let Valentine's Day slip away without discussing the chemistry of love. I'm sure we've all felt that initial giddiness that comes with falling in love (or if you're a ninth grade girl listening to Justin Bieber essentially does the same thing). That giddiness includes a racing heart, sweaty palms, and a flushed face, but have you ever wondered why that is?

Just call it Love Potion No. 9. The combination of dopamine and norepinephrine, two hormones produced by your body, combine to stimulate a feeling of bliss (dopamine) and increase your heart rate (norepinephrine). The perfect cocktail of these two hormones also produces elation, intense energy, sleeplessness, craving, loss of appetite and focused attention.

While love is clearly more complex than this seeing as it takes teddy bears, roses, candy, and flowers to win a woman over nowadays, you can read more about it by clicking here.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day!

 
Fun Fact: Americium is the last element that is legal to own without needing expensive special licenses.

Plutonium

Some stories from the teaching world...

Approximately two weeks ago, I got to the parking lot where I leave the commuter car at night (about a 10 minute walk from my apartment) only to find it missing from its parking spot. No other cars had been moved and I slapped myself across the face at least twice hoping to wake up from that nightmare. No such luck...that also happened to be the same day that I had to administer an exam to my students designed for them to fail for one of my classes . As their frustration levels grew, my patience level depleted to the point where I whimpered "Please do this exam because this morning my car was missing." If only that excuse could be used every day because man oh man did those kids work in silence after that. Turns out my "missing" car was moved for Obama's visit to U of M. Hopefully, ObamaCare can fix my subsequent heart problems from seeing an empty parking spot at 5:30 in the morning where you parked your car the night prior ;)

Another anecdote on the missing car - after finishing the exam, one of my students came up to me and asked me if I had walked to school because I didn't have my car. Oh yes dear child, I walked 80 miles just for you and still got here in time for school at 7:30. Just call me "The Flash."

Sometimes on my walk to the parking lot in the morning I wonder if people think I'm hoofing it back from some late night booty call. This thought crossed my mind as I was wearing leopard print tights and a car was following slowly behind me. What a great way to start your morning...

Is it bad when you laugh while grading papers? The following responses have been some of the best so far:
 1. When asked about determining the age of an animal from carbon dating, this student writes "Carbon dating causes things to have a reflective coating."

2. This student discussed the effectiveness of carbon dating versus uranium dating on rock by saying that "Rocks can't eat plants." (Didn't really address the question but quite the valid statement)

3. My personal favorite: there are no longer 100 centimeters in 1 meter. However there are 100 "clamimeters" in 1 meter.


I've gotten a few Valentine's Day proposals from some of the kids in my class. Upon telling one of them that I had no plans he told me I should treat myself to something nice. His idea of "nice" was taking myself out to AppleBee's... because nothing says romance like going out to eat at a restaurant chain by yourself.


Fun Fact: Plutonium is often touted as the most toxic substance known to man, yet is is 1,000 times less toxic than Botox. Tell that to Joan Rivers...