ScienceMakers Toolkit Manual - The History Makers

Chemistry
8. Dr. Massie once said, “Many people, some of them teachers, who unconsciously make science and
mathematics too diffi cult feel that science and mathematics are not for the common student. They are
wrong. The depth of use may vary, but the principles remain understandable to all of us.” Explain this
quote, using your own words. Do you agree with it? Have you ever been frustrated by science or
mathematics in school? What was the source of the frustration? How do you think that teachers can
make science and mathematics more accessible? What can you do to help this process?
(See Washington Post article)
9. Dr. Massie was named one of the 75 premier chemists of the 20th century. Other scientists that shared
this honor were Marie Curie, George Washington Carver, George Eastman, James Watson, and Francis
Crick. Study the list. How many of these chemists have you heard of? Pick fi ve and explain their
contributions to the class. (See List of Top 75 Chemists)
10. Dr. Massie graduated from high school when he was thirteen years old. How old will you be when you
graduate from high school? What do you think it would be like to graduate from high school at thirteen?
What do you think it would be like to start college at thirteen? What problems do you think Dr. Massie
faced because of his young age? What are some challenges you expect to face after you leave high
school? Have you thought about attending college? If so, where? What would you study?
(See Washington Post article)
11. Dr. Massie entered into college interested in fi nding a cure for a very specifi c ailment. What ailment
was it? Who suffered from this ailment? What motivates you to pursue science? Is there a specifi c
disease you would like to fi nd a cure to? Is there a person in your life who you could help with your
scientifi c knowledge? Who? How can you use science to help them? (See Washington Post article)
12. Dr. Massie spent most of his life as a science teacher at schools across the United States. Have you ever
thought about becoming a teacher? What subject would you teach? Why? What kinds of steps should
you take to become a teacher? Who can help you with that goal? (See Washington Post article)
13. Dr. Massie is known for his research on phenothiazine. What was it used for? Research this drug. Has
it lead to any other discoveries? What kinds of advances have been made because of Dr. Massie’s work?
(See Washington Post article)
Additional Reading:
Samuel Massie Washington Post article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55092-2005Apr14.html
List of Top 75 Chemists: http://pubs.acs.org/cen/hotarticles/cenear/980112/top.html
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