Members Perspectives

The Hungarian Record attempt for the great Periodic Table Performance

At the end of the 150th international memorial year of the periodic table, on 13 December 2019, the Hungarian Record attempt for the great Periodic Table Performance was organized jointly by the Eszterházy Károly University in Eger and the Chemistry-teachers Division of the Hungarian Chemical Society (HCS). The purpose of the Record attempt was the innovative and creative presentation of the periodic table in the form of a flashmob by teams of 118 members each (as many as the number of elements in the periodic table). The nationwide action took place at the same time (at 11 a.m.) at more than 60 schools and educational establishments, including three universities with the participation of almost 8000 students. The launch signal for the performances was given on Kossuth Radio by Zoltán Murányi, co-organizer of the Record attempt and a lecturer of Eszterházy Károly University. The teams chose different ways to visualize the periodic table. At some locations, the performance was based on the idea of the chronological discovery of the chemical elements represented by older and younger students wearing colorful T-shirts. Elsewhere, the elements drawn on colored paper or umbrellas were simultaneously lifted towards the sky and the performance was recorded from above with a drone. The events had to be authentically documented by uploading up to 10 photos or up to 1.5 minutes of video proving the exact number of participants, to the dedicated temporary website of HCS. Based on the images, a professional jury selected the top 3 performances, and it was also possible to vote online for an audience prize. The Record attempt was successful, and it is as secure as covalent bonding that it was a great fun for all participants. Yet importantly, the national initiative has contributed to the promotion of chemistry among students.

Éva Frank
HCS Correspondent

Russian AKKORK is partner agency of ECTN

D. I. Mendeleev at his writing desk, accompanied by (from right) Pavel Drašar (Chair of the ECTN Label Committee), Erika Soboleva (Director of AKKORK), Gergely Toth (Member of the ECTN Label Committee), Reiner Salzer (past-Chair of the ECTN Label Committee).

The Chemistry Eurobachelor® label was introduced in 2004 as first international recognition of high-quality educational programmes in chemistry. The labels Chemistry Euromaster® and Chemistry Doctorate Eurolabel® followed subsequently. Some national accreditation agencies became partners of ECTN for awarding the Chemistry Eurolabel®. Contracts with the Russian accreditation agency AKKORK and the Polish Chemical Society have been signed last year.

AKKORK already assessed applications for Chemistry Eurolabels. The University St. Petersburg, one of the two top Russian State Universities, submitted a set of four applications for Eurolabels at Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D. levels. All four applications have been successful. ECTN provided coaching for new AKKORK Eurolabel® experts in St. Petersburg. A coaching comprises several online tasks for the trainees and is concluded by an intense seminar. This coaching took place in the Headquarters of St. Petersburg State University, across the Mendeleev Museum. D. I. Mendeleev lived here between 1866 and 1890. His personal archive counts over 16,000 items with manuscripts, letters, and diaries. All participants enjoyed the visit to the recommendable exposition with plenty of authentic exhibits. AKKORK is now expecting more Eurolabel® applications from Russia.

Reiner Salzer
past-Chair of ECTN Label Committee