Along with teaching chemistry, Burtt also was a passionate bird watcher and wrote a weekly column for The Post-Standard for more than 50 years.

Benjamin P. Burtt Sr., who taught chemistry at Syracuse University for nearly 50 years, had such an influence on his students that they decided to honor his memory in a special way by recreating his famous Water Lecture.

The lecture, which he gave to freshmen every year shortly before finals, was a joke presentation that he did seriously, including demonstrations that go wrong and an explosion. Students say it was funny and a great stress reliever.

Burtt, who died in February at age 91, influenced many students to love chemistry so much that they went on to become chemistry teachers.

One of his former students, Jamie Cucinotta, a Fayetteville-Manlius chemistry teacher since 1997, has taken a lead role in coordinating the special event on Thursday.

She, along with East Syracuse Minoa chemistry teacher Sally Mitchell and SU chemistry professor Michael Sponsler, will re-enact the lesson at 7 p.m. at Syracuse Universitys Stolkin Auditorium.

The event, sponsored by the Syracuse Section of the American Chemical Society, is open to the public. It also will include recognition of U.S. and local National Chemistry Olympiad exam takers and others being honored for achievements in chemistry.

Cucinotta said Burtts legacy lives on through the scores of chemistry students he taught and influenced.

Cucinotta, who was Mitchells mentor and master teacher, said she believes Burtts influence inspired many chemistry teachers. At the event, which has been named as the Ben P. Burtt Lecture Series, students and teachers who have made a difference in chemistry also will be honored.

Cucinotta said Burtt was was a very good, intense teacher, she said. and he tested on what he taught.

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High school chemistry teachers re-enact Benjamin Burtt's famous Water Lecture