Science isn’t some exalted ideal confined to labs and classrooms—it’s all around us. In today’s episode we share different ways that scientists have reached out to educate and enlighten the masses. First, we pay homage to “Seaborg on Science,” a 1960s radio show that exposed a generation to the wonders of the scientific world. Next, we look at the humble air pump, which Robert Boyle used to demonstrate his revolutionary discoveries in the 17th century. Finally, producer Lisa Gray takes us to downtown Manhattan to attend the New York Academy of Science’s regular Science in the City lecture. Chemical Agent: Glenn Seaborg.

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Show Clock

00:00 Opening Credits
00:31 Introduction
01:00 Chemical Agent: Glenn Seaborg
03:43 Tools of the Trade: The Air Pump
06:07 Feature: Science in the City
11:08 Closing Credits

Credits

This show was written and researched by Andy Magravite and Erin McLeary.

Our theme music is composed by Dave Kaufman. Additional music from the PodSafe Music Network. Additional music includes “Science Procedural,” by Podcast Troubador and “Creation Science Polka,” by the Rudy Schwartz Project. “Seaborg on Science,” produced by the Division of Public Information of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission with the assistance of Argonne National Laboratory. Interviewer: Ed Ronne, Information Staff at Argonne. Producers: Sid Schwartz, AEC, and Jon Fogel, AEC.

This week’s image is courtesy of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.

Laboratory science can be a risky business, as many of the chemicals used by researchers can be hazardous to their health. While some of these substances’ dangers are easily mitigated by following proper safety procedures, others have risks that increase with extended exposure—a lesson unfortunately learned by many chemists in previous centuries, which we explore on today’s show. Next, Distillations promotes safety first by exploring why geeky goggles seem more popular in labs than safety glasses. Finally, producer Robin Sussingham visits Auburn Thompson’s 10th grade classroom, where the teacher catches his kids’ attention through pyrotechnics best not tried at home. Chemical Agent: Lead.

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Show Clock

00:00 Opening Credits
00:31 Introduction
01:02 Chemical Agent: Lead
03:31 Tools of the Trade: Safety Goggles
06:23 Feature: High School Chemistry Demonstrations
10:45 Closing Credits

Credits

This show was written and researched by Anke Timmerman and Hilary Domush.

Our theme music is composed by Dave Kaufman. Additional music from the PodSafe Music Network. Additional music includes  ”Doctor Dogbrain,” by Al Phlipp and “The Woo Team Goggles,” by The Misprintz.

This week’s image is “Save Your Eyes—Use Your Goggles,” uploaded to flickr.com by sakraft1 on 19 July 2008.

To help president-elect Barack Obama celebrate his inauguration on Tuesday, January 20, Distillations is taking a look at the presidential side of chemistry. First we learn about stem cells and the controversy surrounding their research. Next we find out why 21-gun salutes are safe and not so smoky in Mystery Solved! And finally, CHF’s Jody Roberts shares his wish list for the new administration and congress. Chemical Agent: Stem Cells.

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Show Clock

00:00 Opening Credits
00:31 Introduction
01:01 Chemical Agent: Stem Cells
03:30 Mystery Solved! Smokeless Gunpowder
06:32 Commentary: A Planet in Peril
11:05 Closing Credits

Resources and References

Visit the National Institutes of Health to find out more about stem cells and the research ethics for studying them.
For more about smokeless gunpowder, check out this helpful Wikipedia page.
Go to The Center, CCHP’s blog, to read Jody’s series, “A Planet in Peril.”

Credits

Jennifer Dionisio, Nicole Rietmann, and Jody Roberts researched this episode.

Our theme music is composed by Dave Kaufman. Additional music from the PodSafe Music Network. Additional music is: ”Curiosity,” by Nalts; “Comical Salute,” by Siberian Newspaper; and “The Presidents,” by Jonathan Coulton.

This week’s image is from Barack Obama’s Web site.

Happy holidays to all our listeners!

Thanks to J. J. Thomson’s plum pudding model of the atom, chemistry will be forever associated with 19th-century British Christmas traditions. His model was soon discarded, but it remains a staple of high school chemistry textbooks. On today’s episode, we introduce a new segment, “Tools of the Trade,” that looks at the  models, instruments, and artifacts—whether still in use or long discarded—that help scientists do their jobs. We also visit with Emilio Mignucci, one of the owners of Philadelphia’s famous DiBruno Brothers gourmet foods shop, to find out the story behind ham, that favorite holiday food. Element of the Week: Tin.

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Show Clock

00:00 Opening Credits
00:32 Introduction
01:10 Element of the Week: Tin
02:47 Tools of the Trade: Plum Pudding
05:41 Feature: Ham
10:47 Closing Credits

Resources and References

Learn more about J. J. Thomson and other atomic theorists at the Chemical Heritage Foundation’s Chemical Achievers site.
Explore historic recipes, like this one for plum pudding, at Michigan State University’s Feeding America online cookbook project.
We found about the history of toys from this charming site from the Hampshire County Council.
The ever-useful Web Elements site has basic information on all the elements, including tin.

Credits

Special thanks go to Hilary Domush, Anke Timmermann, and Eleanor Goldberg for researching the show.

Our theme music is composed by Dave Kaufman. Additional music from the PodSafe Music Network. Additional music is “Little Drummer Dude,” by Charlie Crowe, “Carol of the Bells,” by Doug Astrop, and  ”Joy-Kinda Holiday-ish,” by Charlie Crowe.

The illustration is a stylized model of J. J. Thomson’s plum pudding model. John Woodcock© Dorling Kindersley. (Please note this image will be removed in 30 days.)