The popular science textbook Chemistry in the Marketplace, authored by Ben Selinger and Russell Barrow saw the 6^th Edition launched on Thursday, June 29^th at the ANU’s science teaching building lecture theatre.  Attended by around 170 guests the event drew in alumni, new and old, in addition to many teachers from the Canberra region for whom the previous editions were a trusted friend.  The event was emceed by Prof. Joan Leach from the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science and featured panellists Adam Selinger, Russell Barrow, Megan O’Mara and James Robertson.  Ben had unfortunately taken ill the previous day and was unable to attend.  The demonstrations featuring science explained in the book showed the audience how to rapidly clean their silverware, remove the garlic and fishy smells from their hands by using the silverware and how adding fats to our hair (conditioning it) makes it softer.

Thanks are extended to Elouise O’Toole and Andrew Leach for organising and assisting at the event, Adam Selinger who at the 11^th hour stepped in to fill a seat on the panel and to the RSC staff who, as always, pitched in and made the night not just a great book launch, but a fantastic alumni function.