Section News & Happenings

Pittsburgh Section Mourns the Loss of a Long-Time Volunteer

It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of Jay Auses.  Jay served as President of Pittcon in 1992, Chair of the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh in 1987-1988, co-Chair of the Central Regional Meeting in 2014, and Chair of the Pittsburgh Local Section in 2013.  Those who knew Jay remember him as being incredibly kind and giving of his time and talents.  You can read his obituary here:   Obituary | John “Jay” Paul Auses of Allegheny Twp., Pennsylvania | RUSIEWICZ FUNERAL HOMES INC. (rusiewiczfh.com)

Click here to download flyer.

The Pittsburgh Award was established in 1932 by the Pittsburgh Section of ACS to recognize outstanding leadership in chemical affairs in the local and larger professional community. This Award symbolizes the honor and appreciation accorded to those who have rendered distinguished service to the field of chemistry. The Award consists of a plaque presented annually at a section dinner. Members of the Pittsburgh Section, or in exceptional cases, nonmembers, who have done work worthy of recognition toward increasing chemical knowledge, promoting the chemical industry, benefiting humanity, or advancing the Pittsburgh Section, are eligible for consideration. Nominate today.  

The Distinguished Service Award was established in 2007 by the Pittsburgh Section of the ACS to expand and replace the predecessor Chairman’s Award of the section. Both recognize outstanding volunteer service to the Section. The Award, consisting of a plaque, is presented annually at a Section dinner, which is open to the public. Members of the Pittsburgh Section, past or present, who have provided outstanding service in advancing the Pittsburgh Section, are eligible for consideration.  Nominate today.    

Click to see flier.

This year the ACS Pittsburgh Local Section is again partnering with the Carnegie Science Center (CSC) to host our annual NCW/ChemFest event.  We will be doing a mix of virtual and in-person programming.  In the past, regional ACS Student Chapters have played in integral role in the success of the program.  We would love for your student chapter to engage with us again this year!

There are three possible ways to get involved:

1. Commit to providing in-person content on Thursday, October 21^st AND Friday, October 22^nd at the CSC. (Participating groups MUST attend both days – this is different than in past years)
2. Prepare virtual content to stream to educators/classrooms participating remotely
3. Assemble and mail demonstration kits to teachers who will be participating remotely

We recognize that it is challenging for students to committ to being at the CSC both Thursday and Friday due to conflicts with classes and labs.  If that is the case for your chapter, we are pleased to present options 2 & 3 as very viable and worthwhile alternatives to the traditional in-person activity. 

• We are in need of virtual content.  Many teachers are unable to bring their students to the CSC due to COVID-related restrictions.  Virtual content can include demonstrations, tours, active lessons, and encouraging messaging about STEM eduction. 
• We are also in need of assistance in assembling and mailing teacher kits.  The kits will allow teachers to showcase live activities in their own classrooms if they are ubale to attend the in-person event.  We would very much like to work with local ACS student chapters to help with packaging and mailing.  We will provide the materials to each chapter who will then assemble and mail the kits.  Chapters will be provided with a mailing list and reimbursed for the shipping costs.  We could possibly need up to (or exceeding) 200 kits, which is why we need your chapter’s help!  Each chapter that participates will be entered in a drawing to win prizes for their participation.  Student chapters are encouraged to individualize kits with materials from their institution/chapter and encouraging messages to classrooms. 

To sign up for in-person demonstrations or virtual content, please complete the registration form:  ChemFest 2021 Registration Form (google.com)

To commit to preparing teacher kits (or to get more information about the project), simply email me back directly ([email protected]). 

National Chemistry Week 2020 Goes Virtual and Celebrates 100K Participant Milestone!

ChemFest is a two-day National Chemistry Week celebration hosted by Carnegie Science Center
and American Chemical Society. This year, ChemFest activities are set to return on-site to the
Carnegie Science Center and will also be broadcast directly into classrooms!

ChemFest is scheduled to take place from 9AM-3PM on Thursday, October 21st and Friday, October 22nd
and will feature in-person and virtual exhibitor activities, career panels,
demonstrations, and presentations that highlights this year’s theme: “Fast or Slow, Chemistry Makes
It Go! (Reaction Rates)”.

We are currently looking for STEM professionals actively working in chemistry or a chemical-
related industry, and that are in varying stages of their careers and represent a wide array of
backgrounds, to participate as exhibitors, career panel participants, and provide prerecorded
virtual content during ChemFest.

If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities and would like register to
participate in ChemFest, please complete the following registration form in full by Friday, October
1st: https://forms.gle/AZRXrVrZkoowLFpy9

Click to see flier.

Fall National Meeting Councilor Report Now Available

Thank you to Councilor Rich Danchik for compiling a the Councilor Report from the Fall 2021 Hybrid Virtual/In-Person Meeting.  Read the report here.

September 2021 Issue of The Crucible

We are pleased to provide the September 2021 issue of The Crucible.  If you have something you would like included in future issues, please email Alysia Mondato at [email protected].

Second 2021 Mildred Perry “On the Road” Memorial Lecture – Another Great One!

Thank you to Pittsburgh Section Councilor Ed Zovinka and St. Francis University for virtually hosting over 10 groups at the “On the Road” Lecture on September 15. Dr. Lan Deng from PPG shared her experience and perspective as an industrial chemist and told us about all the great things PPG does. She answered questions from current and future chemists alike following her talk!
Check out a write-up here!

If your institution is interested in hosting an “On the Road” Lecture, please contact Ed Zovinka at [email protected].

August 2021 Issue of The Crucible

We are pleased to provide the August 2021 issue of The Crucible.  If you have something you would like included in future issues, please email Alysia Mondato at [email protected].

Pittsburgh Local Section CCEW Poetry Contest Winner Takes National Award

The Pittsburgh Local Section K-2 winner took second place in the national competition! Congratulations, Shri A. from Bradford Woods
Elementary School! You make Pittsburgh proud!

Dr. Anna C. Balazs from the University of Pittsburgh was named a 2021 ACS Fellow.  Election to NAS, which is more than 150 years old, recognizes scientists and engineers for their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research and is considered one of the highest scientific honors bestowed in the US.  Congratulations, Anna!

ACS Pittsburgh Section Member and 2021 YCC Chair Kristin Nuzzio was recently featured in C and E News!  Read Looking to lead? ACS offers opportunities for younger chemists. Congratulations, Kristin!