The History of Mole Day

October 23rd is Mole Day, an unofficial holiday celebrated by chemists from 6:02 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. The goal of Mole Day has always been to encourage interest in chemistry, especially among students. Though it originated in North America, elementary, middle and high school students worldwide now celebrate the day with various activities and projects related to the science.

Misconceptions

The name Mole Day could imply that the holiday pays tribute to the burrowing, pesky mammal that causes havoc on lawns and in gardens. In actuality, the mole being celebrated on October 23rd is an SI (International System of Units) base unit and is defined as a unit of amount of substance.

Significance

The idea for Mole Day originated in an article published by "The Science Teacher" magazine during the 1980's, according to the National Mole Day Foundation. The article inspired Maurice Oehler, now a retired high school chemistry teacher in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, to establish the National Mole Day Foundation. Born on May 15, 1991, the foundation encourages all chemistry teaches to implement class and school-wide functions that will foster an interest in the importance chemistry holds in the world of science and in daily living.

Date and Time

Mole Day commemorates Avogadro's Number, which is 6.02 x 10 ^ 23, a basic measuring unit in chemistry. Amadeo Avogadro was an Italian scientist (1826-1910) and his law, Avogadro's Law, is "at a fixed rate temperature and pressure, equal volumes of gases contain the same number of molecules."

Elements for Mole Day were gathered from Avogadro's Number, including the 6.02 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. hours for celebration and the October 23rd date. The date falls during National Chemistry Week, which is sponsored annually by the American Chemical Society to increase awareness about the uses and necessities of chemistry in everyday life.

Growth

In 1992, the National Mole Day Foundation became a not-for-profit organization in the state of Wisconsin. It is self-supporting through membership fees and merchandise sales such as T-shirts. Nine members from five different states now make up the Board of Directors and membership has climbed to 3000 members. Most members are high school chemistry teachers, though educators at the college, middle and elementary school levels have also joined. Other members include industrial chemists, retired chemists and people just interested in the science.

Themes and Activities

One reason interest in Mole Day has grown is because its foundation creates a theme every year to help inspire participation. Past themes included "Go for the Mole" and "The Mole the Merrier". Mole Day activities have included "Molympics" featuring a 6.02 minute relay race and a Mole Scavenger Hunt that has participants searching for household items by their chemistry terms, such as an item containing NaHCO3. The Mole Day theme for 2009 is "The Molar Express."

Award

Another reason for continued interest in Mole Day is its "National Mole of the Year" award, presented to the National Mole Foundation member who has contributed the most to promoting the goals of Mole Day and encouraging chemistry education. Though called an annual award, the award is actually presented every two years during the ChemEd conference, held at one of several universities during odd numbered years. Nominees are most often teachers and the prizes are a $500 cash award, a plaque, a free Mole Day breakfast and a free one year membership in the National Mole Day Foundation.

References

• The National Mole Day Foundation