Section News & Happenings

Congratulations to our 2022 Officers!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the voting process!  We are pleased to announce our new officers and wish them the very best in their new role!

Chair-Elect

Dr. Ed Zovinka

Secretary-Elect

Jiahan Xie

Directors

Dr. Evonne Baldauff (term ends 2024)

Logan Miller (term ends 2024)

Councilors

Dr. Kristin Nuzzio

National Chemistry Week 2021 Illustrated Poem Contest Results

“Fast or Slow: Chemistry Makes It Go!”

This year the Pittsburgh Local Section received a number of entries for the annual NCW Illustrated Poem Contest.  We thank all of the teachers and parents who encouraged their students to enter the competition.  Entries were judged based upon artistic merit, poem message, originality and creativity, and neatness.  Winners receive a cash prize and recognition locally.  First place recipients are sent for judging at the national level.

Category Grade 9-12^th

1^st Place:  Alyssandra P., “Fascinating Fruits”

2^nd Place:  David K,. “The Fastest Action:  Water’s Reaction”

3^rd Place:  Ciarra R. “Catalyst”

Category Grade 3-5^th

1^st Place:  Mira M., “Elephant’s Toothpaste”

Mira’s poem was also selected as the second place winner at the national competition level!  Mira’s work can be found on the ACS website at http://www.acs.org/ncw, which receives over 25,000 unique visitors annually.

November 2021 Issue of The Crucible

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

The 2021 Nominating Committee of the Pittsburgh Section of the American Chemical Society submits the following slate of candidates for the Section office for 2022. All persons nominated are  members of the society and have agreed to serve if elected. Only members of the Pittsburgh Section of the American Chemical Society are eligible to vote. The polls will open November 21, 2021 Please note that all ballots must be received by November 29, 2021 when polls close.

Directors (Vote for up to 2)
Evonne Baldauff
Fu-Tyan Lin
Logan Miller

Councilors (Vote for 1)
Kristin Nuzzio
Ashley M. Smith

October 2021 Issue of The Crucible

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

23rd Annual ChemLuminary Awards

Congratulations to the ACS Pittsburgh Section – we are up to win a ChemLuminary:  Outstanding Performance Awards – Medium Large Size Category

Registration to watch the event (and hopefully see us win!) is free:  2021 ChemLuminary Awards Registration (cvent.com)

Pittsburgh Section Mourns the Loss of a Long-Time Member

From left to right: David Pratt, Theodore Cohen, Alan Russell, Jerome Rosenberg, Bodie Douglas at the 2010 Pittsburgh Award Dinner

It is with deep sadness we report the loss of long-time ACS Pittsburgh Section member and 1987 Pittsburgh Award winner Jerome Rosenberg.  You can find Jerry’s obituary here:  Obituary: Jerome L. Rosenberg | Served for 64 years at Pitt as faculty member and administrator | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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.