Why Chemistry Matters to Nobel Laureates

Why Chemistry Matters to Nobel Laureates

In celebration of the International Year of Chemistry 2011, Nobel Media, the company managing the Nobel Prize media portfolio,  has produced a series of four, short educational videos (http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/chemistry_matters.html) capturing 16 Nobel Laureates’ opinions on why chemistry matters. They discuss the frontiers of the field, what the life of a chemist entails, the beauty inherent in the ‘queen of the sciences’ and the thrilling and sometimes lonely moments that accompany discoveries. Designed for all students considering a career in chemistry, the videos are available on Nobelprize.org (http://nobelprize.org/), the official web site of the Nobel Prize.

In the video, “Chemistry Matters: Beyond the Textbook”, Nobel Laureates describe chemistry as a multifaceted field that ranges beyond what you learn in school to encompass all that lies around us. As this subject touches our daily lives and transforms our material world, the Laureates provide examples of the practical applications of chemistry.  (http://nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index.php?id=1465)

In their reflections on the life of a chemist in another of the videos, Nobel Laureates describe the collaborative spirit that exists among their research colleagues and students and crosses international boundaries. As expressed by Nobel Laureate Peter Agre, living a scientist’s life of adventure is a lot like being Huck Finn. (http://nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index.php?id=1466)

In the video about those rare eureka moments in science, Nobel Laureates provide their formula for success: a bit of luck, combined with a ready acceptance of frustration and failures, and an unyielding persistence. (http://nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index.php?id=1468)

From molecules to equations, and from ideas to experiments, the beauty of chemistry strikes Nobel Laureates in many ways, as the video entitled simply “Beauty” reveals. (http://nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index.php?id=1467)

The videos are free of charge for downloads and are supported by the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Special Grant Program in the Chemical Sciences.