WITS is the Chemistry Department's Teaching Circle - an informal, monthly, discussion amongst interested faculty, of current issues related to teaching Chemistry.  The WITS program was initiated as a complement to the WINSS (Whats New in Science Seminar) program, which itself was designed to bring interested Chemistry faculty together to discuss current research in the department.  WITS meets on the 2nd Monday of the Month (excepting August, December, and April), over lunch (liquid refreshments provided).  In late Fall 2002, Chemistry Department graduate students interested in possible academic careers expressed interest in creating a WITS-like discussion group focused on their Professional Development needs and concerns.  As part of that program, and if appropriate, at least one WITS per term will be organized around a topic of joint interest to faculty and future faculty, and open to both groups.

For Grins


"I've got it all -- the sand, plastic brown rocks, the fake seaweed,
fantastic bubbles.  But I want more. I want a Ph.D. in Chemistry."

 

 

"Mommy, my Chemistry 101 class has been outsourced to a man who has
'Al's Acme Lectures Co.' printed on the side of his van!"

 

 

Rules for teachers in mid-1800s: (McKeesport Heritage Center Records; reproduced in Pgh-PG, 8/9/00).

  1. Teachers each day will fill lamps, clean chimneys.

  2. Each teacher will bring a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the day's session.

  3. Make your pens carefully.  You may whittle nibs to the individual taste of the pupils.

  4. Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings a week if they go to church regularly.

  5. After 10 hours in school, the teachers may spend the remaining time reading the Bible or other good books.

  6. Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed.

  7. Every teacher should lay aside from each pay a goodly sum of his earnings for his benefit during his declining years so that he will not become a burden on society.

  8. Any teacher who smokes, uses liquor in any form, frequents pool or public halls, or gets shaved in a barber shop will give good reason to suspect his worth, intention, integrity, and honesty.

  9. The teacher who performs his labor fruitfully and without fault for five years will be given an increase of 25 cents per week in his pay, providing the Board of Education approves.

 

 

Page Created & Maintained by:  Joe Grabowski

Last Updated:  12/24/03