Welcome
"Welcome. And congratulations. I am delighted that you could make it. Getting here wasn't easy, I know. In fact, I suspect it was a little tougher than you realize.
To begin with, for you to be here now trillions of drifting atoms had to somehow assemble in an intricate and intriguingly obliging manner to create you. It's an arrangement so specialized and particular that it has never been tried before and will only exist this once. " - from the Introduction of A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
Welcome back! For the 2023 - 2024 year, I will be teaching Environmental Science - CPS and Honors, CPS Chemistry, and AP Chemistry. You can find individual classes on the tabs at the top of my website. The class websites contain topics and references.
Here's an interesting : Glow Stick Demo.
***You can check on homework assignments and find other resources for information in Google Classroom. Also, only students can view what is in Google Classroom, so I encourage conversations about class with your student. Google Classroom will have everything we do in class everyday and I use it communicate with students, so make sure notifications are turned on for Google Classroom.
Posted calendars are guidelines for project and test dates. If in doubt, please email me (scook@mursd.org).
***Remember that if you are absent, you are still responsible for the HW if it is listed on Google Classroom!
If you are not sure about how to cite sources for papers, projects, or reports, here is a link on plagiarism.
A cool experiment using glow sticks - since it's always too bright for us to fully appreciate this, you may want to try this at home!
Again, welcome to a great new year!
My email is scook@mursd.org.
Odd tidbits:
The dirtiest job I've had was at a waste treatment plant. One of my favorite jobs, after teaching was working as an analytical chemist.
Other than teaching, I like to read. I am not much a fan of history and fiction, but if it's well written, I may just pick it up. Feel free to share (outside of class time, of course) the names of any good books you've read, even if it's been for another class. I also look forward to camping, kayaking, hiking, skiing, sledding, quilting, and spending time with my family, friends, and pets when I'm not in school.