Musings of an Old Chemist

A Chemist's Perspective on the Habits and Skills STEM Students Need For Success

Category: VI. Weekly Quotations

Weekly Quotation: November, 7, 2025: Life is More Than This Moment

For your consideration:

Don’t let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was.

– Richard L. Evans

In 1988, I made a difficult decision to leave a job I loved as a Technical Support Engineer for Hewlett-Packard Co.’s Advanced Chemical Systems R&D group in Avondale, PA. My wife and her family wanted us to return to Louisville, KY, and I complied, despite having no job lined up and feeling utterly defeated. My work at H.P. was not only my passion but also a significant part of my self-worth.

Eventually, I found employment in Louisville as a GC/MS chemist in LabCorp’s toxicology department. Over time, I rediscovered my passion in a completely different area of chemistry. My perspective on life shifted from second-guessing my decision to leave H.P. to a renewed sense of belonging and purpose, albeit in a new environment.

My journey through multiple career changes, though often painful, has been a significant part of my growth. Now, at 67, I see these experiences as instrumental in shaping me into the person I am meant to be, right here, right now.

We all share in the experience of personal growth. Life is a journey that extends beyond any single moment. We will inevitably face decisions or setbacks that affect us emotionally, socially, or professionally. Through these obstacles and mistakes, we learn to persevere. Every experience, good or bad, contributes to our future selves. We can choose to regret the past, or we can recognize that those decisions have shaped who we are today.

November 7, 2025
Weekly Quotation: October 30, 2025: The Joy of Discovery: Inspiring Young Minds Through Science

For your consideration:

I am often amazed at how much more capability and enthusiasm for science there is among elementary school youngsters than among college students.

– Carl Sagan

I, along with a group of my high school math and science program students, conducted the following demonstration for a group of elementary school students, mostly fourth and fifth graders:

To begin, we discussed how the air we breathe is a mixture of several different gases. And how every gas, whether it is an element (such as nitrogen or oxygen), or a compound (a combination of elements in a specific ratio, such as carbon dioxide), has a unique fingerprint, consisting of a set of colored lines, called its spectrum.

After dividing the class into groups of three students each, we handed out paper glasses with diffraction grating lenses, crayons, a ruler, and large pieces of drawing paper. We asked them to draw seven six-inch lines on their paper, making sure there was plenty of space between each. They were to label these lines in order: hydrogen, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, neon, carbon dioxide, and air.

Then, using a spectrum tube high-voltage power supply and the spectrum tubes for air, carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, neon, nitrogen, and oxygen, we began the demonstration.

In a darkened room, I instructed the students to put on their diffraction grating lenses. I then proceeded to insert the spectrum tubes of the following gases in order: hydrogen, helium, nitrogen, oxygen, neon, and carbon dioxide into the spectrum tube high voltage supply generating the spectral lines of each. I chose these gases and the order they were placed into the voltage supply because starting with the spectrum of hydrogen, the spectrum build in complexity from left to right. As each gas’s spectrum was displayed, we asked the students to use their crayons and drawing paper to color the spectral lines they observed. We were not concerned with the wavelength of the lines, only the color pattern from left to right.

After turning up the lights, I posed the following question to the students: “Which of these gases do you think are in the mixture that makes up the air we breathe?” While most students, ranging from elementary to high school, and even some college students and adults, can identify some of the gases present, very seldom does anyone know them all. As each group made their guess, we wrote their answers on the board for everyone to see, without any judgment as to whether the answers were right or wrong.

At the end of this part of our discussion, we darkened the room again. This time, I inserted the spectrum tube for air, asking the students again to color the spectral lines they observed.

To finish our demonstration, we asked each student group to compare the lines they colored for air with their spectral lines for the other gases. And to circle which gas’s spectral line pattern matched up with the lines they saw in the spectrum for air. Quickly they began to see that there were several combinations of individual gas’s spectral lines present in the air’s spectrum. We collected each group’s drawings and discussed their results.

Finally we posed the following questions: “What did they learn today?”, “Can you now tell us which gases you believe are present in the air we breathe? And, more importantly, “Did you have fun?”

Commentary

The students’ initial reaction to observing spectral lines through diffraction grating glasses was truly captivating. It felt as though we had opened up an entirely new world for them. There was no immediate need to delve into the scientific explanation behind the spectra’s generation; the demonstration’s primary goal was to cultivate the joy, awe, and wonder inherent in scientific discovery. My experience in the classroom and my years of tutoring often revealed that many high school and college students prioritize grades over a sense of wonder, potentially finding this demonstration “lame” or even boring, a waste of their time. However, sometimes the simplest method for explaining complex phenomena is by nurturing the innate sense of awe and wonder within us all.

October 30, 2025
Weekly Quotation: October 7, 2025: The Power of Humility and Wisdom

For your consideration:

The moment we believe that success is determined by an ingrained level of ability as opposed to resilience and hard work, we will be brittle in the face of adversity.

– Joshua Waitzkin

I believe we are all endowed by God with unique gifts and abilities. Our professional and personal success is determined by how we embrace the responsibilities that accompany these blessings. From my experience, the belief that one is the “smartest person in the room,” based on a misguided self-assessment or external validation, such as our parents for example, and therefore we don’t need to make an investment of time and effort in our own success, is pure arrogance and a path to failure.

Throughout my life, I’ve made the mistake of thinking I didn’t need to put in the effort, acknowledge my shortcomings, or address my weaknesses by seeking counsel from more knowledgeable and experienced individuals. Shamefully, I follow the same pattern too often. When I’m offered a new opportunity that challenges my present mindset, I throw myself wholeheartedly into gaining the knowledge needed to be successful. Yet, once I feel like I am recognized as an “expert” by my supervisors, coworkers, or, worse yet, my own perception of my abilities, I become arrogant, stop seeking the input of others, and start to think that my way is the only way. For every step forward along my path to personal success, I take two steps back.

Now in my sixties, I have lived enough life to understand that wisdom is a crucial component in facing adversity, in persevering through hard times, and in being resilient. Wisdom that comes through knowledge and experience. A wisdom I’ve found by rediscovering scripture, particularly the books of Psalms and Proverbs. Despite how the world and technology have evolved, the struggles we encounter as humans on our journey to becoming better people remain the same. We simply need to be humble enough to seek guidance beyond ourselves.

October 8, 2025
Weekly Quotation: October 1, 2025: Chemistry: My Journey From Struggle to Passion

For your consideration:

Chemistry is not torture but instead the amazing and beautiful science of stuff, and if you give it a chance, it will not only blow your mind but also give you a deeper understanding of your world.

– Hank Green

My initial perception of chemistry differed significantly from Hank Green’s. My unfortunate experience with Dr. Bill Sagar’s Organic I course and his synthesis lab at Centre College in the late 1970s was responsible for this perspective. I would have preferred a novocaine-free wisdom tooth extraction to repeating that freshman year course. The sheer volume of material on his exams, coupled with my inability to memorize and regurgitate facts, proved overwhelming. Furthermore, I found the compound syntheses in the lab impossible. While I excel at instrumental lab activities and compound extractions, Dr. Sagar’s lab experience was so disheartening that it nearly destroyed my desire for any further lab courses at Centre. Ultimately, that single course, in which I received a “D,” sealed my fate as a pre-med major.

A year later, Dr. John Walkup, who was the Chair of the Chemistry Division, and would become my mentor, presented a holistic view of chemistry in his courses. He emphasized the habits, traits, and skills crucial to be successful as a chemist. His approach inspired in me an appreciation and passion for chemistry in all areas, from Organic II (yes, I enrolled in and survived a second year of Organic, this time I got a “B”) to Physical Chemistry (a stunning blend of math and chemistry) and Instrumental Chemistry (which became my true love). We explored not just the how but also why reactions occurred, but also their application, their importance in different field of chemistry. We were taught to “think’ like a chemist, the importance of observation – recognizing strengths and weaknesses of a chemical process, then identifying the possible sources of error in our analyses.

After 35-plus years in various fields of chemistry, I strongly recommend to student pursuing a chemistry major or a broader STEM career that I tutor, to maintain an open mind throughout their science coursework. It will not always be an easy path to follow. You will encounter challenges, and there will be days when switching to business management or accounting might seem appealing. However, persevere. Have faith in yourself. Seek out mentors, engage with your professors, learn their office hours, and visit frequently. While it may now always seem like it, I can assure you that chemistry is a beautiful field of study. It is both an art and a science, inviting you to experience the wonder and awe of the world around you.

October 1, 2025
Weekly Quotation: September 24, 2025: Embracing Resilience: Overcoming Life’s Challenges

For your consideration:

I think that life is difficult. People have challenges. Family members get sick, people get older, you don’t always get the job or the promotion that you want. You have conflicts in your life. And really, life is about your resilience and your ability to go through your life and all of the ups and downs with a positive attitude.

– Jennifer Hyman

After undergoing five spinal surgeries in the past twelve years, I’ve come to accept chronic pain as my new normal. I understand this is the hand I’ve been dealt and must manage it daily. My faith in God and my perspective on life are the only things I truly control. I lean into stoicism, focusing on what I can control: my emotions, my reactions to situations, and my demeanor. I accept what is beyond my control—the actions and behaviors of others, external events, and fate.

I strive to prevent my countenance from revealing my pain and discomfort, choosing not to complain about my situation. Instead, I try to be a concerned, interested, and active listener, showing compassion for others’ challenges. This path is not easy, but through prayer—asking for strength, wisdom, and compassion, and giving thanks for all of God’s blessings—I feel I am making progress toward becoming the best version of myself.

September 24, 2025
Weekly Quotation: September 17, 2025: The Journey to Wisdom: Life Lessons at Sixty

For your consideration:

“The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.”

– Muhammad Ali

“The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing.”

– Socrates

Now in my sixties, I often reflect upon the knowledge I have retained, my life experiences – my successes and failures, and the mistakes I have made, wondering how it all fits together. What have I really learned? What has my life up to this moment really taught me? Am I gaining in wisdom or making the same mistakes I’ve made consistently throughout my life?

Wisdom can be defined as the ability to think and act based on knowledge, life experiences, self-awareness, common sense, and insight into the world. It involves making sound decisions and exercising good judgment, an area I personally strive to improve. Now as I grow older, I attempt to focus more on managing complex situations, especially within my family dynamics, and offering thoughtful, considerate advice. This requires actively listening, a skill that is critical in all situations, and only providing my opinion when asked. I also continue to make a conscious effort to learn from every mistake.

For me, wisdom is also deeply connected to my faith. I pray for God’s wisdom, asking for help in being more self-aware, compassionate, and developing a sense of purpose that exceeds simply obtaining material things. Part of this process is the recognition that I am not there yet, there is so much more I need to learn, about myself and my life’s purpose. But I know I am a better person today than I was yesterday, and perhaps that is the beginning of wisdom.

September 17, 2025
Weekly Quotation: September 10, 2025: Humility and Gratitude

For your consideration:

Just knowing you don’t have the answers is a recipe for humility, openness, acceptance, forgiveness, and an eagerness to learn – and those are all good things.

– Dick Van Dyke

Learning to be humble, to express gratitude for what you have been given, opportunities you have been offered, and for everyone who supports you, emotionally and monetarily, is essential for our journey of personal growth. It requires self-awareness, recognizing what we do not know or understand, admitting our faults and weaknesses, as well as identifying our strengths. Waking up each day seeking to be a better person than you were the day before. And, when you make mistakes, be willing to take ownership of them, seeking forgiveness where needed, and taking the lessons you learned from them to heart, striving not to repeat the same mistakes.

September 10, 2025
Weekly Quotation, September 2, 2025: “Peeing” On That Proverbial Electric Fence

For your consideration:

“There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.”

– Will Rogers

We’ve all been there. You dive into a new skill, armed with books, tutorials, and a healthy dose of optimism. Maybe it’s golf, maybe it’s fixing a leaky faucet, or in my case, trying to resurrect a stubborn lawnmower. You read the manuals, you watch the videos, and you start to feel… confident. Perhaps even a little too confident.

My own journey began in my instrumental chemistry courses in college. Dr. John Walkup had the following advice when applying for a laboratory position – “If asked if you can operate a piece of instrumentation, just say ‘Yes.’ Once hired, you can take the instrument manual home and study it.” This fostered a sense of overconfidence in my abilities in me. Not realizing at the time that while a manual can certainly help you ask semi-intelligent questions and avoid appearing utterly clueless, it often serves as a dangerous enabler. Believing I knew more than I actually did, I’d inevitably encounter what Will Rogers affectionately calls the “electric fence moment,” proving my self-proclaimed expertise was, shall we say, premature.

And here’s my confession, I honestly believe there’s a lot to be said for “peeing” on that proverbial “electric fence.” I’ve certainly had my share of “shocks.” And while the metaphor is a bit crude, for me, it perfectly summarizes the process of discovering all the ways something wouldn’t work.

Making mistakes, and analyzing them, provides tremendous insight. It cultivates a deeper understanding and a firmer retention of knowledge than simply reading a book or passively watching countless YouTube videos ever could. The learning process can be painful, of course. No one enjoys making mistakes; it can wound our pride and occasionally make us feel utterly foolish. However, I would strongly argue that hands-on experience, complete with its inevitable missteps, is far superior to any amount of book learning.

So, the next time you find yourself grappling with a new challenge, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty, to experiment, and yes, to even “pee” on that “electric fence” a few times. Those moments of “shock” might just be your most effective teachers.

September 3, 2025
Weekly Quotation: August 26, 2025: The Smartest Person In The Room Complex

For your consideration:

“Just knowing you don’t have the answers is a recipe for humility, openness, acceptance, forgiveness, and an eagerness to learn—and those are all good things.”

– Dick Van Dyke

Over the years, I mistakenly believed I had all the answers and was the “smartest” person in the room. My arrogance was compounded by my eagerness to dominate conversations and express my views, which only highlighted my lack of knowledge. However, with age came the understanding that true intelligence involves actively listening to others’ opinions and perspectives. There is much to gain if I simply take the time to listen. By humbly acknowledging my shortcomings, refraining from imposing my opinions, and remaining open to alternative approaches, I can cultivate humility and grow in wisdom.

August 27, 2025
Weekly Quotation: August 20, 2025: Awe And Wonder

He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.
– Albert Einstein

Awe is a powerful emotion defined as a feeling that what we are witnessing is beyond our current understanding. But our perception of awe and wonder evolves throughout our lifetimes. For example:

As children, our curiosity and wonder are fueled by the pure joy of discovery. A messy papier-mache volcano built on the kitchen table, or a curious question about the stars, is enough to stimulate our search for answers.

As we get older, our perspective shifts. The world begins to measure us, and we, in turn, begin to measure ourselves. Our sense of worth becomes tied to external rewards—such as grades, test scores, titles, and salaries. The process of learning and discovery becomes a means to an end, rather than a joy in itself.

We get so engrossed in our daily routine—rushing to appointments, ticking off to-do lists, and worrying over expectations—that we overlook the wonder in the world around us. Consider how often you’re in such a hurry while driving that you fail to notice your surroundings. Do you recall the turns you made, the roads you took, or anything that happened during your commute?

Now in my sixties, I consciously strive to appreciate life’s beauty and complexity, taking the time to marvel at nature. This includes the intricate details of plants and flowers in my garden, as well as observing Jupiter’s inner moons or the Pleiades constellation through my telescope on a clear night. This past Friday, at 5 a.m., while walking our dog, I noticed the stunning alignment of Venus and Jupiter on the eastern horizon. This sight filled me with such awe and reminded me of the insignificance of my daily concerns—what I needed to do that morning or what I hadn’t accomplished the day before. It reaffirmed my faith in God and highlighted my small place within these mysteries.

August 17, 2025