Full Day [8:00 am – 4:00 pm] 0.5 sem hrs / 7.5 contact hours

REGISTRATION LIMITED* TO 40 PARTICIPANTS

Now more than ever, the Chemistry of Medicine and Drugs is a fascinating study.  You will learn about materials in medicines, the chemistry of vaping, and the drug approval process. You will participate in experiments that can be used in your classrooms and experiments in a research-style environment using advanced equipment to identify and synthesize drugs.

Presenters: Dr. Gary Balaich, Professor of Chemistry, USAFA

Dr. Ron Furstenau, Retired Professor of Chemistry, USAFA

Dr. Abby Jennings, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, USAFA 

Dr Doris Kimbrough, Professor of Chemistry, UCDenver

Agenda for “Chemistry of Medicines and Drugs”

Saturday, 22 January 2022

0800 Participants gather on the south steps of the Cadet Field House

0815                Participants escorted to Chemistry Conference Room (2N189)

0845-0915       Introductions, refreshments, admin items in Chemistry Conference Room

0915-1015       Presentation:  “Chemical Functional Groups, Drug Synthesis and Analysis”

                                                   Dr Gary Balaich

1015-1030       Break, Chemistry Conference Room (2N189)

1030-1230       Laboratory Experiments

            1030-1130 Gp A:  Identifying Drugs by Instrumental Analysis (Dr Balaich)

                                    Gp B:  Thin Layer Chromatography to ID Drugs (Dr Jennings)

                                    Gp C:  Synthesis of Aspirin and Methyl Salicylate (Dr Furstenau)

            1130-1230   Gp A:  Thin Layer Chromatography to ID Drugs (Dr Jennings)

                                    Gp B:  Synthesis of Aspirin and Methyl Salicylate (Dr Furstenau)

                                    Gp C:  Identifying Drugs by Instrumental Analysis (Dr Balaich)

“Identifying Drugs by Instrumental Analysis”:  Different techniques will then be used to analyze drugs, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS).

            “Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) to ID Drugs”:  TLC is a powerful, but simple technique which can be used to separate and identify over-the-counter drug mixtures and to identify unknowns, applicable to a wide variety of middle and high school classes.

            “Synthesis of Aspirin and Methyl Salicylate”:  This is a straightforward lab allowing participants to make their own aspirin and methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen; Ben Gay).

1230-1330       Working Lunch Break in Lecture Hall

                        Presentation:  “Chemistry of Vaping”; Dr Doris Kimbrough

Dr Kimbrough will discuss the chemistry behind vaping and the hazards associated with vaping.

1330-1430       Laboratory Experiments

                        Group A:  Synthesis of Aspirin and Methyl Salicylate (Dr Furstenau)

                        Group B:  Identifying Drugs by Instrumental Analysis (Dr Balaich)

                        Group C:  Thin Layer Chromatograph to ID Drugs (Dr Jennings)

1430-1530       Presentation:  “COVID Therapeutics”; Dr Barry Hicks

Dr Hicks will discuss mRNA vaccine technology and the immune response.  Time permitting, he will also cover monoclonal antibody treatment (Regeneron) and debunk treatments like hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin.

1530-1600       Final wrap-up of the day’s events (2N189)

1600                Depart chemistry area for Cadet Field House

* LIMITED SPACE

Due to current COVID-19 best practices the size of this particular hub meeting is limited to 40 participants. 

Because PALS mission is focused on current secondary science teachers, these teachers will receive priority when signing up for this workshop. When you register for this hub meeting, you will be asked to state your current status as a science teacher. Options include:

• Current Secondary Science Teacher (MS or HS) with science classes assigned for the coming school year
• Current Elementary Science Teacher with science class(es) assigned for the coming school year
• Secondary Science Teacher – Unemployed? Retired? Subbing? – not currently employed and/or assigned to teach science classes
• Other Teacher – Unemployed? Retired? Subbing? – not currently employed and/or assigned to teach science classes

About 1 week in advance of the workshop, you will receive an email asking you to confirm your participation.  If you do not respond in the affirmative, you will be removed from the list and your spot will be given to the next eligible teacher on the waiting list.