I think the public perception about chemistry and chemicals is negative due to environmental education. Nevertheless, drugs, plastics, textiles, dyes, fertilizers, pesticides etc. are still purchased and used on large scale.

Use TV shows with multiple episodes emphasizing the hard work in this industry and how does it impact everybody's life. Also use social media to counter the negative adds.

Not sure if it's "just" a misconception of chemistry: People say "I don't want chemistry in my food", but they actually mean agrochemistry, pesticides and animal medications. When it comes to the use of chemistry in medicine, i.e. to the therapy of cancer, diabetes or to modern anaesthetics, they usually are quite happy about it, possibly without realizing that this is just another aspect of the science. Same applies to all these nice high tech fibers, plastics and semiconductor gadgets that make our lives comfortable.

Of course, esp. in the so called highly developed countries, practically nobody wants a chemical plant in their neigbourhood, which makes all that nice stuff, esp. when it's one of these big producers of basic chemicals. Not only because they usually look rather ugly in most people's opinion and sometimes emit a lot of steam in normal operation, but also because there is quite a hazard associated with them in case of a havary, as there are huge amounts of chemicals involved and usually, they are quite reactive and thus rather toxic.

So, IMHO, one needs to involve people more in what chemistry is actually about: Some time ago in high school, my chemistry classes started with abstract things like atom models, substance classes and redox reactions. Nice if you have a genuine interest in chemistry and maybe already decided to become a chemist later, but this rather is driving off "ordinary people".

Why not start with real life problems, how chemistry is solving them, and, if really deemed necessary, then go a little into all these things they'll teach you as the basics in university?

I have usually seen chemistry people to be very smart to manage this.

In my opinion chemistry is a work of art. I think the focus should be also on it's beauty, not only it's applicability. People look for money and practical applications all the day, but in the end will be mesmerized by the elegance and grace of the solution.

My view is that chemistry should be taught with enthusiasm to younger ones with classical practical approach as a means of encouragement. Hard work and break through of younger students should be rewarded. Chemistry teacher and technologist should be encouraged by colleges and universities.

Chemistry is a basis all science and supposed to be the mother all branches of applied sciences . The composition and properties of the matter involve lot of chemistry.

Those who dare to study chemistry, understand its grandeur. Otherwise, it may turn to be the matter of fears and complexity.

'Water' is a chemical in the terms of chemistry. Unfortunately, many people think that 'all chemicals are harmful'.

Yeah, a bit of education (knowledge) may end up some URBAN LEGENDS that come with too much TV publicity. ie. that soy bean made milk has enough calcium to replace cow milk, irrespective of bio-availability of milk. Some people believe that ice cream may have more gluten than veggy dietetic no-ice cream. TV publicity has grown such concern that hyaluronic "ACID", a chemical, may posse some risk if ingested accidentally. Not to mention that now people call chemist a chemical substance and vice-versa. I hope these recent findings of publicity don't get to Mr Donald's social web.

I think the public perception about chemistry and chemicals is negative due to environmental education. Nevertheless, drugs, plastics, textiles, dyes, fertilizers, pesticides etc. are still purchased and used on large scale.

The problem starts at primary school. The primary teachers, especially in Europe dont know that "everything is chemistry". I am Rotarian. Rotary has started years ago to send professional people to schools to explain fundamental things such as "What is Money, Production methods of various foods e.g. Bread, How can we dissolve grease on our hands, how can we dissolve chalk in our cooking pots etc" in a simple language with simple pictures and experiments. I taught 3rd to 5 grade kids 1 day per week over some 6 months. The Kids suddenly became curious - and started to ask question. Later-on some contacted me to advice on what profession they should pursue? Unfortunately, today professionals are preoccupied with themselves. They dont take their kids into their working environment, discuss fundamentals at home or visit schools to explain fundamentals of live. No wonder why society perceives things with a negative perspective. This creates fear and rejection. Regards Willi

Use the internet: If you come across some compound names and find them hard to remember, search for that compound on the internet and read up on its uses. You will find it much easier to remember and it will also make chemistry fun and interesting for you. https://www.toppr.com/bytes/start-enjoying-chemistry/

Frank T. Edelmann

Dear Professor Frank,

Its a beautiful question that you have raised.

I would like to share a few personal opinions, in this regard. The list of my opinions is as follows:

1. I would like to believe that this question involves Chemistry, but it is more about Marketing. This is because you are talking about making Chemistry popular, particularly to people who come from other disciplines and domains.

2. I have studied some business oriented disciplines. I did not study Chemistry as a part of my curriculum anywhere. This is because Chemistry is not a business oriented discipline. But I believe otherwise. Chemistry deals with drugs, plastic, textile, fertilizers etc. This discipline mostly deals with matters which have a "sale able" value in the market. This point has to be highlighted in order to make it popular.

3. When a scientist or a researcher is working for the development of Chemistry, what is that person actually aiming to do? She/ he aims to find out something that is of economic benefit. If it is not economically beneficial, then it would not be considered development. From this angle, I think Chemistry helps in economic development. It is more of a business nature discipline than many other business oriented disciplines like Secretarial Practice, IR, Social Responsibility etc.

4. Today we are surrounded with Chemistry or gifts from it. Preservatives in foods, medicines, detergents, perfumes ... all are gifts of Chemistry. This point can be highlighted.

5. In Costing, there is a chapter called "Materials". In that chapter we are told about various materials, their method of storing and issuing from the store. A little bit of knowledge of Chemistry, will make this chapter appear very interesting. Since, Costing is studied by students from all other disciplines, so incorporating pages of Chemistry in this chapter will have to be done very carefully. While doing so, it has to be remembered by the framers of the pedagogy that this will be studied mostly by students from non Chemistry backgrounds.

Thank you.

Best regards,

Anamitra.

Lost cause. The meaningless buzz words being taught - natural, ecofriendly, sustainable, organic - all reject chemistry for an obscure goodness that sees nature as composed of magic rather than chemicals. What little chemistry taught has been dumbed down and sees the science as more of a danger.

Chemists, biochemists, biotechnologist and many others work with Chemistry. They should proudly educate society about chemistry. They should not to use the word chemistry but to show people that everything is chemistry – Chemistry is health, is measuring health , is improving health, is knowledge about food and food quality, is protection of food, is all the bits and pieces that makes up modern live (perfumes, cosmetics, dyes, pigments, plastics, fibers, lubricants, Leather, LED light etc.) Chemistry is wealth for everybody. If we would stop that, we would create an economic disaster and huge unemployment. We would wipe out large parts of society (no hygiene, all kind of diseases). Just imagine if you could not clean your dishes after meals. Bacteria and fungi would come and eat the residues and produce toxins that make you ill.

The problem with chemistry is 1. not enough diversity, 2. not enough profitability in circular economy and 3. too many financial interests that slow down progress. We should have much more research to permanently improve the performance and environmental friendliness of chemical compounds. Every chemical reaction produces target compound and byproducts. It is important that we reduce or eliminate the byproducts or convert them into new useable and profitable products or intermediates. Huge financial interest control today the chemical and life science and technologies. They have reduced research and increased output of few chemicals. Concentration is increasing and overloading our environment. Only a few antibiotics are used in increasing quantities and no respect and so causing antibiotic resistance. More money from product sales must be invested in Research & Development. We must stop to merge and acquire companies to reduce product diversity or to scale up production of a few compounds to increase profitability, - profits that are diverted to repairing bad investments. We have to create better products to obsolete not so good products in smaller quantities so they can be metabolized by mother earth.