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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (June 17, 1998)
Page 4 The INDEPENDENT, June 17,1998 W5 - » 8 .. : BnsinessHVotes i Pacific chemistry dep’t. now uses molecular modeling software î ï • IS » « -O— U lu lili » Remember when the pocket calculator replaced the slide rule as the symbol of the sci ence student? When chemistry students at Pacific University return to class this fall they'll pack a little more technological muscle than the trusty scientific calcu lator. Every student will receive his or her own copy of high-tech modeling software to help them visualize molecules and simulate chemical reac tions on their personal comput er screens. “It’s like a calculator," said Professor Jim Currie, chair of the Chemistry Department at Pacific. “Because it is a tool that every student has access to. If they have bought a com puter within the last three years, it can run this software. It’s first-class stuff.” This state-of-the-art model ing program, the CAChe Scien tific WorkSystem, is the same software used throughout the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, Currie said. The colorful graphics soft copies, to serve the sophisti ware allows students to actual cated software. With each stu ly “see" molecular structure dent using the software on their and model properties of mole home computer, “they get past cules. “We can assign home the learning barriers to become work that asks students to deal capable and productive users. with issues using molecular They are able to develop some modeling as a thinking aid,” he comfort with it and start dealing said. with the really interesting ques The software was devel tions." oped by CAChe (pronounced Students signing up to be “cash”) Scientific, a division of chemistry majors are on the England’s Oxford Molecular rise at Pacific, and Currie part Group. CAChe Scientific was ly attributes this trend to the im originally founded in Washing proved use of technology in ton County and was later teaching. “We have added bought by the British corpora more interactivity to many of tion. Currie was a consultant in our classes, much of it in mod the development of the soft eling activities. This makes ware. chemistry a little less intimidat “Pacific University has al ing.” ways been a leader in this The faculty of the Chemistry area," Currie said. “We’ve had Department also utilizes the molecular modeling in our cur new software to aid in their riculum since 1989. We proba classroom presentations and bly do more with computer their research. modeling of chemical reactions Currie and Professor Kevin and systems than almost any Johnson, a colleague in the other college in the country.” Chemistry Department, will be Over the years, Pacific presenting papers to the North- bought a number of individual R e p . F u r s e s e ts licenses, gradually adding W o rk s h o p s s e t fo r lo cal b u s in e s s e s * ° f f ' c ® c*a te -liT o n n fn L i i r r n n n n fir Rep. k Elizabeth Furse contin ues to hold community field of fice hours throughout the First Congressional District. These office hours provide con stituents an opportunity to reg ularly meet with Furse staff members to share concerns or discuss problems. To schedule an appointment constituents may call the Port land office at 326-2901 or 1 -800-422-4003. Appointments are not required. Ann Richardson, District Representative for Rep. Furse will be available at the following time and location in Vernonia. Vernonia Public Library, 919 Bridge Street, Thursday, June 18, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Persons requiring special accommodation should contact Ann Richardson in the Portland District Office at least 48 hours prior to this meeting. west Regional Chemical Asso ciation in Richland, Washing ton, this June. Their presenta tions will focus on the use of the modeling software in teach ing chemistry. Three Pacific professors will travel to On tario, Canada, for the Biennial Conference on Chemical Edu «¿Í.\AN ¿ YES! 75. <•> W E HAVE & LOCAL CALL II ! ■ cation later in the summer for similar presentations. “We think this technology is really educationally sound," Currie said. “It’s been very helpful and stimulates students to think more deeply and ask more questions." Q= Somebody s tic k y o u w ith a bad check? Al G iv e u s a c a ll! INTERNET ACCESS! The Credit NO LONG DISTANCE CHARGES!! Bureau Pick up your FREE copy of Computer Bits at of Columbia County 1-800-953-3190 The INDEPENDENT, 725 Bridge St. 4 2 9 -4 0 4 5 507 Rose Ave., Vernonia Accounts Mgmt. Co. (503) 397-0346 “Supporting Columbia County business since 1933" D o n A Vernonia Business Work day has been scheduled for Friday morning, June 19 at the Vernonia Head Start building. There will be a number of state and federal representa tives from the Oregon Rural Development Council (ORDC) to assist local business people with questions they may have about business planning, downtown development, busi ness loans and/or financing, The ORDC is composed of representatives from several different state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Eco nomic Development Depart ment, Columbia-Pacific Eco nomic Development District, Oregon Downtown Develop ment Association, Oregon De partment of Transportation and many others. The agenda tentatively calls for the workday to convene at 9:30 a.m. with coffee and a chance to talk informally with those in attendance. At 10:00 a.m. there will be introductions and an overview of projectes in process, community coordi nate and capacity, and part nerships and sustainability. Break-out sessions will be gin at 10:30 a.m. with small groups focusing on business counseling, business plan ning, finance, property devel opment and downtown rede velopment. All Vernonia area business people are encouraged to at tend and take advantage of this opportunity to discuss their needs with experts in rur al development. There is no charge for the work session. Quality, Comfort and Convenience Each room equipped with Color TV, Private Bath and Separate Entrance. Continental Breakfast • Hot Tubs Handicapped Access • Children Welcome 800-354-9494 or 503-429-4006 900 Madison Ave., Vernonia Just 1 block off Hwy. 47 Vernonia Inn - a fully licensed Bed & Breakfast FATHER’S DAY HALF-YEARLY SHOE SALE SALE AND P ort -O-F un S idewalk S ale Wed. June 17th then Sun. June 21st ONLY! 30%— 40%— 50% WOMEN’S • KIDS’ • MEN’S MEN’S ROMEO Discontinued Styles, hundreds of pairs of Sandals, Dress & Casual shoes from Birkenstock, Nicole, Hush Puppies, Dexter, Rockport, Rott, La Plume, Soft Spots, Teva and many more. Save $10 Off Western Chief Brown or Black Save $15 OFF Red Wing Brown Leather Our Biggest Sale of the Season starts Wednesday, June I T SPECIAL WORK BOOT SALE 30% OFF Discontinued Work Boot styles from Red Wing & Wolverine T O N Y ’S S H O E S 9:30-6 Mon-Sat, Til 7 pm Thurs 1620 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens 4 •J ■. Open Sundays 12-4 pm • MasterCharge/Visa * «4 . ÿpl »k 1 .-.-JM' ;"-,
