The Dead Chemist Society demonstration programs have been an annual event at Louisiana Science Teachers Association conferences since 1990. The hour-long presentations include a series of lecture demonstrations, suggestions on when and how to conduct them, and discussion of safety issues. As prompted by the Society's name, each demonstration is associated with a historically important dead chemist, and often, a brief biographical sketch is given.
Dead Chemist Society programs have also been held at many regional and national conferences. Collaborations with some of the most well-known demonstrators in the country have resulted in presentations with Lee Marek and Bob Lewis (Weird Science), Don Showalter (The World of Chemistry Video Series), Dale Alexander (New Mexico State University), Larry Peck (Texas A and M.), Jerry Manion and Paul Krause (University of Central Arkansas), and John Fortman (Wright State University).
Dead Chemist Society presentations aren't just for science teachers. Different versions, adapted to convey different themes to various ages, have proven popular with a wide range of audiences. Venues have ranged from the French Quarter in New Orleans to the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, to the Orlando Science Center in Florida.
If you are interested in hosting a Dead Chemist Society demonstration program, email Bill Deese at: wcdeese@latech.edu .