The multiple perspectives offered by Molecules That Matter for each of its ten featured molecules?from the worlds of science, popular culture, and art?help us to realize the multifaceted ways in which the molecules matter. In addition to atoms and chemical bonds, each of these molecules contain stories, and as visitors take in the exhibit, many realize that they, too, have personal stories of how these molecules have mattered in their lives, from a woman reminiscing about the advent of nylon stockings to the world of women's fashion to a potato farmer from Maine contemplating the roles?both good and bad?that DDT played on his farm in the 1960s and 1970s. Like the molecules, these stories matter.

In coordination with the Molecules That Matter exhibit, we are pleased to announce the online debut of Molecule Memories, a Web log (blog) presenting audio-file podcasts of stories from members of the Skidmore community and beyond about the various way these ten molecules matter in our lives. You can visit Molecule Memories here.

But more importantly, you can become a part of this virtual dimension of the exhibit. After you have listened to one of the podcasts, click on the Comments link to add your own response, commentary, or memories. Or you can use the Comments link to write a "molecule memory" story of your own. If you would like to record a story, please contact us [links below], and we will arrange a recording session.

The Molecule Memories blog adds a live, human dimension to the Molecules That Matter exhibit. If you are planning to bring your class to the exhibit this fall or spring, you may want to consider having your students listen to some of these podcasts to consider how these stories intersect with their experience and understanding of the show. We invite your students to contribute their own stories, too.

If you have any questions about Molecule Memories, please contact us. Molecule Memories was produced and funded by the support of the 2007 Summer Collaborative Research Program.

We look forward to a growing collection of stories and commentaries as the academic year unfolds.

Michael Marx
Associate Professor of English
mmarx@skidmore.edu

Susi Kerr
Education Director, The Tang Teaching Museum
skerr@skidmore.edu

Riley Albair
Class of 2009
ralbair@skidmore.edu