APRIL 7, 2000
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THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA APRIL 7, 2000 |
Chemistry professor lauded for public service activitiesAward salutes UVic’s outspoken "science guy” for his community work by Kirsten Rodenhizer Dr. Reg Mitchell is a researcher, a teacher, an entertainer and quite possibly Victoria’s most outspoken science advocate. The UVic chemistry professor has been named Academic of the Year by the the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of B.C. (CUFA BC). The award recognizes Mitchell’s efforts to encourage public interest in science, as well as his accomplishments as a chemist and teacher. CUFA BC is comprised of faculty associations from B.C.’s four largest universities: UBC, UVic, SFU and UNBC. Mitchell will receive a trophy and a cheque for $2,000 at an awards dinner in Vancouver on April 13. According to CUFA BC president Jim Gaskell, there were about 15 worthy nominees for the award this year, but the organization picked Mitchell because of his commitment to raising public awareness about science. "He’s taken his love of science and worked very hard to involve young people,” says Gaskell. "It’s the public service component of his work that we’re acknowledging with this award.” Mitchell’s community work has taken several forms. He’s been presenting the "Dr. Zonk” show — in which he dresses up like a mad scientist and does "spectacular chemistry presentations” for local school groups — for more than 25 years. The show originated in 1974, when Mitchell put on a continuous chemical magic show for an open house. "At the end of it I said, ‘Christ, I’m zonked out,’” he recalls. |
 Mitchell as Dr. Zonk"Some people get very nervous
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He and five colleagues later decided to take the newly named Dr. Zonk show out on the road to promote UVic’s chemistry department. Mitchell is the only remaining participant, but the show goes on. "This is an opportunity to ‘display’ science, and I guess I like doing that,” he says. For the last 20 years, Mitchell has organized the UVic venue of the annual Victoria Science Fair at UVic. He says children today have less hands-on access to chemistry than when he was a child. "When I was young I had a big chemistry set and I could blow things up and make flashes,” he says. "It’s kind of a shame kids can’t do that these days.” Mitchell’s CFAX radio show helps educate people about the role of chemistry in their everyday lives, from sewage and pesticides to climate change. "When you say the word ‘chemical’ to the public, they automatically think about toxins,” he says. "There are some chemicals that are bad, but they’re certainly not all bad. I don’t like to see misinformation being spouted around.” Teaching comes naturally to the theatrical Mitchell, who received a faculty of science teaching award in 1998. "I’m basically a well-paid actor, only I don’t have to audition and I write my own scripts,” he says. "Some people get very nervous in front of a microphone. Give me a microphone and I’m happy.” He prides himself on being able to make even the driest course material interesting and entertaining for his students. "Sometimes I make outrageous statements just to see what the students will do,” he says. "If you can keep the students interested, that’s half the battle.” Mitchell has never been shy about voicing his opinions, either. He’s been a member of the university senate for 20 years, and served a six-year term on the Chemical Institute of Canada’s board of directors. "I tend to stand up and say a lot of the things people are thinking, but are afraid to say themselves,” he says. "There’s no point in complaining about what you think is wrong — you’ve got to get out there and change it.” |
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