Section News & Happenings

Calling all teachers! A breakfast will take place November 15th, 2024, from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm to learn about organizing a Science Olympiad at your school. Grant money up to $2,500 is available for interested schools. The program is designed for grades 4-6 but can be adapted for lower grade levels. For more information such as location and RSVP, click here

WCC Merck Research Award recognizes eight individuals* who will present their research at a Women Chemists Committee (WCC)/Merck half-day symposium during the ACS Fall 2025 Meeting. Individuals should be in their third or fourth year of graduate school and focus in Organic, Medicinal, Chemical Biology, Computational, or Structural Chemistry. Related disciplines are eligible. The award is open to U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens attending a graduate program in the U.S. or Canada. The deadline to apply is November 15th, 2024. Click here to apply. 

*This includes women (both cis and trans) and persons assigned female at birth (AFAB)

Be sure to check out the 37th annual Faraday Lecture on Wednesday November 13th at 10:00 am at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall. This free lecture presented by Ray Euler from the University of Pittsburgh will explore various chemistry and physics demonstrations following the theme “Don’t Blink!”

This event is gears towards middle and high schools, seating availability is first come – first serve. Click here to register for the event! Any questions can be directed to Cally Shouse at [email protected].

Posters for this event can be found in this year’s November issue of The Crucible. 

Congratulations to our 2024 Distinguished Service Award Recipient Dr. Kimberly Woznack and our 2024 ACS Pittsburgh Award Recipient Dr. Evan Granite! To read more about the award recipients be sure to check out the November 2024 issue of The Crucible. 

We are pleased to provide the November 2024 Issue of the Crucible! If you have something you would like included in future issues, please email Alysia Mandato at [email protected].

We are pleased to provide the October 2024 Issue of The Crucible. If you have something you would like included in future issues, please email Alysia Mandato at [email protected].

Join the Environmental Group for the monthly lecture on Wednesday, October 16. Download the flyer here.

Sustainable Chemistry in the Context of Sustainable Food Systems

October 16, 2024, 12:00-1:00pm (EST)

Vania G. Zuin Zeidler, PhD, Institute of Sustainable Chemistry, Leuphana University, Germany

How to join:

Teams Meeting:
ID: 422 076 052 42
Passcode: xWHQgg

Or contact [email protected]

We are hosting an “On the Road” ACS meeting and seminar at Saint Francis University on Tuesday, October 22 at 5:30 PM. The ACS meeting will be held at 5:30 PM, followed by a lecture from Dr. Karah Knope from Georgetown University called “Hooked on f-elements”. RSVP here by Tuesday, October 15. Download the flyer.

Picture Perfect Chemistry

The Pittsburgh Local Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) is sponsoring an illustrated poem contest for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Contest Deadline: Sunday, October 27, 2024 by 11:59 PM ET
Prizes: $50 1st Place and $25 2nd Place in each of 4 grade categories: K-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th and 9th-12th grades.
Contact: Evonne Baldauff, NCW Coordinator. Mail entries to 51 W. College St., Waynesburg, PA or scan and email to [email protected].

Winners of the Pittsburgh Local Section’s Illustrated Poem Contest will advance to the National Illustrated Poem Contest for a chance to be featured on the ACS website and to win prizes!

Download the flyer for more details.

Pittsburgh Local Section NCW activities for 2024

Join us for a series of events throughout the entire week. Watch for emails and check our Facebook page and website for updates! For additional information regarding any of these events, contact NCW Coordinator, Evonne Baldauff, at [email protected].

Event 1: “Picture This” Lab experiments, Carnegie Science Center, October 21, 23, & 24​

A series of hands-on experiments in a traditional lab setting for local high school students. Volunteers are needed to serve as lab assistants and will work directly with participants. Multiple daily lab sessions run from 10:15-11:15 AM and 11:30-12:30 PM. Up to 8 volunteers are needed each day. To sign up, contact Evonne Baldauff ([email protected]). 

Event 2: SciTech Days: Art and Science Demos at the Carnegie Science Center, October 25

A traditional exposition-style event, schools from the Pittsburgh region and surrounding communities will bring students to experience hands-on demonstrations and activities on October 25th. Volunteers are needed to host demonstration tables and serve as career panelists. Volunteer through the following form: SciTech 2024‐2025 Registration

Student Grants: ACS Student Chapter Mini-ChemFest Events

Exclusive for undergraduate chapters, host your own ChemFest outreach event for local schools in your geographic area using the NCW 2024 theme. Funding of up to $200 is available. To sign up, contact Marsha Grimminger ([email protected]).