Boyer Colloquium seeks to ‘solve the puzzle of rare earth metals’
FREEPORT — Join Highland Community College for the 30th Annual Boyer Colloquium, “Solving the Puzzle of Rare Earth Metals,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 16 in room H-201 of the Student/Conference Center, 2998 W. Pearl City Rd., Freeport, Ill. This free presentation will also be offered via Zoom™.
Historian and storyteller Roger Turner of Philadelphia’s Science History Institute, will explore the unseen world of rare earth metals while delving into their fascinating effects on global trade, politics and national security—from the Manhattan Project to China today.
“I’m excited to have Roger introduce us to these lesser-known members of the periodic table that actually impact rural Midwest life every day, from wind turbines to electric cars to the phones we use,” said Brendan Dutmer, Dean of Natural Science and Mathematics. “As a sought-after resource, rare earth metals are at the center of a larger discussion, so it’s a particularly relevant topic locally and globally.”
Students in Highland’s chemistry program and related sciences will have the opportunity to attend a closed presentation from Turner earlier in the day on campus.
“Critical metals are back in the news in a big way, but we can’t make wise decisions unless we understand where these materials come from and how they’re processed. At the Science History Institute, we’ve been integrating art and science with history to help Americans better understand these metals. I’m looking forward to thinking through the ethical and environmental debates with the audience,” said Turner.
The Boyer Colloquium, an annual event sponsored by the late Dr. M.E. Boyer, was created in 1994 to help students and communities understand the importance of the inter-relationships between ethics, economics and ecology. The Boyer Colloquium Committee believes that if communities comprehend issues, the history of previous decisions and the ramifications of prior actions, they will be better positioned to make informed decisions.
The evening colloquium is free and open to both Highland’s campus and the community. For more information about the Boyer Colloquium, visit highland.edu/boyer for the Zoom™ link or call 815-599-3493.
