Bassam Shakhashiri
Encyclopedia
Bassam Shakhashiri is a professor of Chemistry
at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the author of multiple books of chemical demonstrations.
to Dr. Zekin A. Shakhashiri of the American University of Beirut
and Adma N. Shakhashiri. The family moved to the United States
in 1957. Shakhashiri attended Boston University
, and then earned a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Maryland
.
and giving public demonstrations at school
s, fair
s and on television
. His SCIENCE IS FUN! presentation
s at shopping mall
s, schools, and college
s have reached tens of thousands of students, their teachers, and parents throughout Wisconsin
. In 1996-97 Dr. Shakhashiri chaired two working group
s which reviewed the Wisconsin Science and Math Standards. Dr. Shakhashiri has given about 1000 invited lecture
s and presentations around the world.
He has published several books of chemistry demonstrations, including Manual for Laboratory Investigations in General Chemistry ; Workbook for General Chemistry; and Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry , Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4. His books, television broadcasts, and website
have provided the source material for presentations given by hundreds of teachers during National Chemistry Week
, as well as regular demonstrations by many teachers throughout the year.
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the author of multiple books of chemical demonstrations.
Early years
Shakhashiri was born in 1939 in LebanonLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
to Dr. Zekin A. Shakhashiri of the American University of Beirut
American University of Beirut
The American University of Beirut is a private, independent university in Beirut, Lebanon. It was founded as the Syrian Protestant College by American missionaries in 1866...
and Adma N. Shakhashiri. The family moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1957. Shakhashiri attended Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
, and then earned a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
.
Demonstrations
Shakhashiri has spent most of his career celebrating the fun of scienceScience
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
and giving public demonstrations at school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
s, fair
Fair
A fair or fayre is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods, to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated carnival or funfair entertainment. It is normally of the essence of a fair that it is temporary; some last only an afternoon while others may ten weeks. ...
s and on television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
. His SCIENCE IS FUN! presentation
Presentation
Presentation is the practice of showing and explaining the content of a topic to an audience or learner. Presentations come in nearly as many forms as there are life situations...
s at shopping mall
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
s, schools, and college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
s have reached tens of thousands of students, their teachers, and parents throughout Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. In 1996-97 Dr. Shakhashiri chaired two working group
Working group
A working group is an interdisciplinary collaboration of researchers working on new research activities that would be difficult to develop under traditional funding mechanisms . The lifespan of the WG can last anywhere between a few months and several years...
s which reviewed the Wisconsin Science and Math Standards. Dr. Shakhashiri has given about 1000 invited lecture
Lecture
thumb|A lecture on [[linear algebra]] at the [[Helsinki University of Technology]]A lecture is an oral presentation intended to present information or teach people about a particular subject, for example by a university or college teacher. Lectures are used to convey critical information, history,...
s and presentations around the world.
He has published several books of chemistry demonstrations, including Manual for Laboratory Investigations in General Chemistry ; Workbook for General Chemistry; and Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry , Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4. His books, television broadcasts, and website
Website
A website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...
have provided the source material for presentations given by hundreds of teachers during National Chemistry Week
National Chemistry Week
National Chemistry Week is an annual event held in the USA to raise public awareness of the importance of chemistry in everyday life. It is coordinated by the American Chemical Society ....
, as well as regular demonstrations by many teachers throughout the year.