My name is Dr. Michael Russell and I will be your Chemistry 221 instructor this quarter. I think this will be an exciting term (although quite different from how I had imagined it!), and I look forward to working with you! You can call me Dr. Russell, Mr. Russell, Professor, Michael, Mike.... almost anything respectful is fine (*except* for "Mikey" - don't go there, I have bad memories from the brat kid in the 1970's Life cereal commercial! lol)

Classes start Monday, September 28 at Mt. Hood Community College. This is a week later than planned, but due to the fires, smoke, COVID, etc. the administration decided to wait a week to start classes.... ok.

If you would like to start working on Chemistry 221 materials a bit earlier, then here are some ideas to get you started in the course successfully:

• First, know that I am here to help you in any way that I can, and I encourage you to contact me any time you need assistance. Email is the best way to contact me (mike.russell@mhcc.edu); you can also use Discord (https://discord.gg/XrumtbY) where my office hours will be (Monday 8 AM - 11 AM and Wednesday 11 AM - 1 PM.)

• Watch an introductory video from the instructor! Use this link (https://youtu.be/4J15h5NR6qA) to see who I am... there are quite a few videos available for you in this class, you can see a list of them here (Link to CH 221 Videos: https://mhchem.org/221/classroom/video.htm) or on YouTube (http://youtube.com/marsmars2).

• Many questions relating to Chemistry 221 this quarter will be answered in the "Chemistry 221 FAQ" (Frequently Asked Questions) document, found here: https://mhchem.org/221/classroom/pdf/CH221FAQ.pdf You can also email me directly (mike.russell@mhcc.edu) if you have a question that is not answered elsewhere.

• Look around the CH 221 website (http://mhchem.org/221) We will not be using the MyMHCC Portal or Blackboard this quarter, but you will find a variety of goodies on our website.... check it out!

• View the CH 221 Syllabus and check out the 'Getting Started' guide (http://mhchem.org/Syl221/). This will let you know what the course is like, and be sure to check out the "What's Due This Week" Guide (both in the syllabus and here: https://mhchem.org/221/classroom/221Sch.htm Everything in CH 221 will be due via email on a Friday by 9 AM, so you can see what will be due, what is coming up, etc.

• Download (and start reading!) our free textbook (https://mhchem.org/text/OpenStaxChem.pdf). This is an "Open Education Resources" (OER) textbook, and it's free to download (and read.) You can get a printed copy on Amazon, but I would not normally recommend it.

• Explore the Chemistry 221 Discord server (https://discord.gg/XrumtbY). Discord is a wonderful platform to share ideas and learning, and my office hours will be hosted there (Monday 8 AM - 11 AM and Wednesday 11 AM - 1 PM.)

• Explore the CamScanner app (https://www.camscanner.com). If needed, CamScanner can easily turn written work into an emailable PDF file. It's a free app (don't pay for the upgrades), and if needed, this app can be quite awesome!

• Start - and maybe complete! - the "Introduce Yourself" lab (https://mhchem.org/221/pdfLabs221/Memorandum.pdf). I want to "know who you are", so the first lab will give me a chance to "meet" you as you create a video on YouTube, Vimeo, etc. This assignment will be due officially on Friday, October 2 at 9 AM via email, but you can turn it in early if you'd like... this is not a problem.

• Start Problem Set #1 (https://mhchem.org/221/classroom/pdf/zPS1.pdf). Problem Set #1 covers Chapter 1 of our textbook, and it's officially due on Friday, October 2 at 9 AM via email.

• Start the Density lab (https://mhchem.org/221/pdfLabs221/Density.pdf). This lab, like many of the labs we'll see this quarter, encourages you to watch a video, then complete the worksheets found toward the end of the lab. The Density lab will be due on Friday, October 2 at 9 AM via email.

• Look over Sample Quiz #1 (https://mhchem.org/221/classroom/qe.htm#CC2). By Monday, September 28 at 9 AM, I will release the actual Quiz #1 (which you'll turn in to me via email on Friday, October 2 at 9 AM), but if you're curious about what the quiz might be like.... check out the practice quiz! Practice Quizzes also have answers available, so you can see how you're doing before you turn in the actual quiz... if you'd like to.

• Reserve a Class Presentation Element (https://mhchem.org/221/classroom/PresentationElements.htm). Everyone will be creating a paper and an online presentation this quarter on an element, and everyone must have a different element.... so reserving an element with me is the way to get started. You can read more about the process here (https://mhchem.org/221/classroom/wlCPFull.htm), and to reserve an element, you can use the form or just email me (mike.russell@mhcc.edu) directly.

OK, I *think* that is is :), but I'm sure I missed something, so.... if you have any questions, on anything!, please contact me (mike.russell@mhcc.edu). There are no dumb questions!!! My answers might be dumb, but your questions are not, so please let me know if I can help.

Have a wonderful day, and I look forward to a great term with you! Peace, Michael

Dr. Michael A. Russell
Chemistry 221 Website
Office Hours: MW 10 AM - 11 and noon - 1 PM, F 8 AM - 9 in AC 2568 on the main MHCC campus