Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society
We are a dynamic and visionary organization committed to improving people’s lives in our community through the transforming power of chemistry. We strive to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Kalamazoo, Allegan and Van Buren counties.
February 2017 KalChemist News
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Highlights
- Comments from the Chair
- 75th Anniversary Party & Registration
- Great Lakes Region Updates
- A "Thank You" from Lake View Schools
- Project Seed Opportunities
- Upcoming High School Exams
- Teacher award nomination request
Comments from the Chair
Steve Secreast, Chair
Registration Ends Soon for our KACS 75th Anniversary Party!
Thursday 23 February 2017
6:00 - 9:30 pm
Air Zoo
6151 Portage Road
Portage MI 49002
Registration ends soon! Have you registered yet for this special dinner and social event?
We will have access to four of the Air Zoo's event experiences as well as be treated to a presentation on the SR-71. We look forward to seeing you at this family-friendly event. The cost for the buffet dinner for each attendee age 12 years and older will be $10.00 (children under 12 are free).
Please plan to join fellow KACS members and friends that evening for this special party! We look forward to seeing you there!
Great Lakes Region Updates
The KACS local section is a member of the Great Lakes Region. Please visit the region's new website to learn about our region.
At the new website you will find:
- Information regarding the 2017 Great Lakes Regional Meeting in Fargo, North Dakota June 27-30
- Abstract submission directions for the GLR meeting (deadline of April 24)
- Details on four awards to be given at that GLR meeting
- Nomination requests for worthy award recipients
Thank You!
On October 20, 2016 the PTO at Lake Center Elementary in Portage hosted their first evening of Science Technology Engineering and Math learning for their students and their families, in an I <3 STEM event at that school. As we summarized in the Nov 2016 KACS newsletter, our KACS local section helped with the event via cash, materials, and volunteer donations.
Below is a thank-you note and photo collage from the Lake Center Elementary PTO. We hope this is the beginning of a long and productive partnership.
Project Seed
Project SEED opportunity: Project SEED was established by the American Chemical Society (ACS) in 1968 to provide economically disadvantaged high school students the opportunity to conduct hands-on research for 8 to 10 weeks in the summer. Selected students receive a fellowship award and will be eligible to apply for a SEED college scholarship.
This year the Kalamazoo ACS (KACS) is looking to fill two Project SEED positions. To qualify a student must have completed his or her sophomore year in good academic standing, have taken at least one course in chemistry, and be recommended by their chemistry teacher or other school official. Students are selected based on their qualifications and letters of recommendation. High school chemistry teachers should have received a letter detailing the project and nominating process.
Do you need Project SEED information?
Please contact:
- Doug Williams (dwilliams@kalsec.com)
- Mike Walsh (mwalsh@kzoo.edu)
High School Examinations
For the thirty-sixth consecutive year, the KACS is sponsoring a chemistry examination competition for all high school students in Allegan, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren counties. The competition consists of a preliminary and final examination. This year the preliminary examination will take place on March 15 at all high schools that register. High scorers will be invited to the final examination on April 22 at Western Michigan University where they will compete for twenty scholarships. If you would like more information, contact a high school chemistry teacher or email the KACS test coordinators.
Need more information? Please contact:
- James Kiddle (james.kiddle@wmich.edu)
- Mike Walsh (mwalsh@kzoo.edu)
Wanted: Outstanding High School Teachers
The Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society annually honors an Outstanding High School Chemistry Teacher at its spring award reception. This year we are asking for your cooperation in identifying qualified candidates. The applicant for Outstanding High School Chemistry Teacher should also be able to impart to students a strong understanding of basic chemical principles while inspiring students to choose a career in chemistry. The ideal applicant would use innovative teaching methods and be active in keeping current with the field of chemistry.
To nominate a candidate please contact Mike Walsh (mwalsh@kzoo.edu)
Do you have questions, comments, or a desire to contribute to the newsletter? Send an e-mail to chair@kalamazooacs.org.
By Steve Secreast
Happy 75th anniversary KACS! Taking a minute to reflect on that accomplishment really brings home the realization of just how spsssecial is this group of chemists. Since 1942 this relatively small ACS section has established a strong, successful tradition of local industrial and academic, scientists and students, working together to share our knowledge and love of chemistry within Kalamazoo and beyond. Being a member of this organization is truly something of which to be proud.
I am grateful for the opportunity to chair our local section. The ACS played a key role in the start of my 32 year career as a pharmaceutical scientist. In 1984 as a graduating student member, I att ended the ACS national meeting in St. Louis, and via the Employment Clearing House landed a position in Monsanto's new Bioprocess Development Group. Kalamazoo has also played a key role in my career. Since going to work for Upjohn here in 1988, and working through the Pharmacia - Pfizer - Zoetis changes, I've come to know Kalamazoo as an excellent community in which to live. Chairing our local section brings together an opportunity to connect and contribute to these two important pieces for me, Kalamazoo and the ACS, so thanks for that.
Working with our local section's outstanding and committed membership and Executive Committee (who have already helped me immensely learn the chairing ropes), I look forward to continuing our already established, highly regarded activities - the poster and speaker sessions, Earth Day and National Chemistry Week events, Project SEED and more. In addition, I'll be looking for additional opportunities to strengthen and grow our local section. This is where all local section members can help. Please share with me and the Executive Committee any thoughts or ideas on what we can do to help our local section continue flourishing.