ConfChem conference on a virtual colloquium to sustain and celebrate IYC 2011 initiatives in global chemical education: Young ambassadors for chemistry in IYC 2011

This communication describes how the Young Ambassadors for Chemistry (YAC) project facilitates the flow of ideas between chemistry and society, using young people as mediators. The project uses a "train the trainers" model: teachers are trained to help students communicate the benefits of chemistry. In doing so during local public awareness events, young students acting as ambassadors for chemistry create public interest in chemistry. We work with teachers, predominantly from grades 7-12, also teacher trainers and instructors in science centers, to provide meaningful content related to the students' daily life and to provide student-centered instructional methodologies. These include approaches and strategies such as group work, inquiry, hands-on activities, discussions, and reporting about results. We also invite English teachers to apply their understanding of communication so different subject teachers can learn from each other. During IYC 2011, YAC received invitations from Ethiopia, Kuwait, Jordan, Puerto Rico, and Bulgaria that resulted in enhanced exposure to the initiative. This communication summarizes one of the invited papers to the ConfChem online conference: A Virtual Colloquium to Sustain and Celebrate IYC 2011 Initiatives in Global Chemical Education, held from May 18 to June 29, 2012 and jointly hosted by the ACS DivCHED Committee on Computers in Chemical Education and the IUPAC Committee on Chemistry Education.