It was pretty exciting to think
that our research is the real thing and that it is applicable to individuals
outside of the university community.
Anonymous student comment quoted by P. J.Pukkila and K. M.Watley CUR Quarterly, Dec. 2001, p82.
“If people could see what
we're doing with a million-and-a-half of their dollars, they'd think we are
crazy. If they knew why we are doing it, they'd know we are.” CorbinAllardice and
Edward R.Trapnell The First Reactor Dept. of Energy 1982.
“We choose to go to the moon
… and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they
are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our
energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept,
one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win …” J. F. Kennedy, September 12,
1962.
“The
emphasis on science education that Sputnik
catalyzed more than a generation ago has sputtered and wants for
revitalization.”
“In order
to have good ideas one has to have lots of ideas.” Linus Pauling (1901 - 1994)
“The true delight is
in the finding out rather than the knowing.” Isaac Asimov (1920 - 1992)
“The
scientist does not study nature because it is useful to do so; he studies it
because he delights in it, and he delights in it because it is beautiful.” Henri Poincar 19th century French mathematician & physicist
(1854-1912)
“The
frontiers of knowledge are never far away in any science, and he revealed them
to us constantly, sometimes explaining how a sector had been pushed back. I did not get such good examination
results..., but I did find there the spirit of science.”
a comment in September 2000 Chem 13 News by Sir
Christopher Ingold (renowned organic chemist) about a
past science instructor
“I have also benefited from
teaching; as I try to explain my views to students with critical and open
minds, I find myself continually challenged to go back and rethink ideas.
I know teaching and research as complementary, mutually reinforcing activities.”
M. J. Molina, 1995 Nobel
Laureate in chemistry (from J.Chem.Ed.
2002, p. 1187)
“Maintaining
that he is not gifted with a 'superior intelligence,' [Peter Siegel] attributes
his success to the passion he has for his work. [Siegel says] ' There is
nothing that competes with the feeling you get when after hours, days, weeks,
or even years of work on a problem, you get the answer--even if it's not the
one you expected!' ”
From Chem Matters Sept. 2002 p. 6. Siegel is head of a NASA group at JPL specializing in terahertz atmosphere imaging technology
“Good
mentors help students pass beyond the initial frustration of scientific
research and move into productive work. The mentors know that the time
and the mistakes are as natural as breathing to the scientist.”
quote from “The Impact of Research on Undergraduates' Understanding of
Science” by Leo Gafney CUR Quaterly June 2001 p. 172.