• Kalamazoo College to Host Ohio Inorganic Weekend
• 40th Annual Chem Day Deepens Science Appreciation
• A New Structure for Chemistry at Bell’s
• Help Shape 2027 Joint Great Lakes and Central Regional Meeting
• KACS Calendar

Kalamazoo College to Host Ohio Inorganic Weekend

40th Annual Chem Day Deepens Science Appreciation

By Carol Guerrero

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum and the Kalamazoo Local Section of the American Chemical Society (KACS) presented “Chemistry Under Construction” on Saturday, October 17, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. The 40th annual celebration of chemistry brought chemistry enthusiasts together to explore the wonders of chemistry and gain a deeper appreciation for the science that shapes our world.

The event featured a variety of hands-on activities that connected science, engineering, and real-world applications. Many activities aligned with the theme and included magic sand, post-and-lintel construction, LEGO® building, electroplating nickels, removing patina from pennies, investigating Martian soil, and testing rocks and minerals. Additional activities explored tablet making and testing, pH testing with cabbage juice indicator, and how catalysts transform harmful waste into new chemicals using plastic models and LEGO® bricks. Live demonstrations highlighted the fascinating properties of dry ice and liquid nitrogen, and the planetarium show explored the chemistry of outer space. Young guests were invited to decorate a non-functional, mini hard hat keepsake. Visitors also learned about MiSTEM partnerships and grants for educators, KVCC’s Early Middle College program, and community resources available through KACS, connecting visitors with valuable educational opportunities and community support.

A poster created by Annette Hoppenworth and Lydia Hines was on display, highlighting how the 40-year “cooperative-construction” experience between the KACS and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum has shaped the community and connected generations through shared experiences. The poster also offered a glimpse into the lasting value of collaboration between cultural institutions and the communities they serve.

We extend our sincere thanks to the volunteers and community partners who helped make this day a success. Representatives and volunteers affiliated with the Air Zoo, Dipharma, Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center, Kalamazoo College, KACS, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Kalsec, Michigan Geological Survey, MiSTEM Region 1, Perrigo, Pfizer, and Western Michigan University shared their time, knowledge, and resources with museum visitors. Through hands-on experiments, engaging demonstrations, immersive planetarium shows, and opportunities to learn about educational programs and community resources, they helped visitors explore new interests and discover a variety of opportunities in their community.

Take a look at some of Chemistry Day’s exciting moments through photos on the museum’s Flickr page.

Save the date of October 16, 2027, for next year’s celebration of chemistry, “Molecular Melodies.” Together, we will continue to ignite the spark of scientific curiosity and exploration in our community!

A New Structure for Chemistry at Bell’s

By Jacob Hood, Symposium Event Coordinator and Chair-elect

On Thursday, October 29, 2026, the Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society (KACS) welcomed more than 100 attendees and 30 poster presenters to Bell’s Eccentric Café for its 14th annual Recycle-a-Poster event. The lively gathering featured a Sci-Mix poster session under the theme “Sustainable Science – Recycle a Poster,” with the iconic Kalamazoo venue filled with discussion and spirited debate.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Mark D. Levin, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Chicago and a leading researcher in synthetic organic chemistry. His talk, “Replacing Atoms in (Hetero)Arenes,” explored his group’s work on single-atom skeletal editing—replacing an atom within a molecular framework. These methods may offer valuable new options for medicinal chemistry by expanding how chemists can modify molecular scaffolds.

Professor Levin shared details of his group’s early work on nitrogen insertion, including the specific criteria needed to achieve it and its limitations. As the talk moved into more recent research, Professor Levin’s group has continued to push the flexibility of their chemistry by removing limitations and expanding the repertoire of synthesizable heterocycles using their methods. Guests even got a peek at some of the group’s most recent unpublished findings and the directions they are working toward. Mark’s keynote talk was a textbook example of how to deliver a complex field of research to a general audience and spark interest in what organic chemists can accomplish.

The evening also made room for the kind of scientific exchange poster sessions do so well: presenters shared their work directly, and attendees could ask questions and continue the conversation. Guests could take in the posters, connect with colleagues, and network with scientists from the region. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks helped make the gathering welcoming and informal.

The event’s “Recycle a Poster” theme highlighted sustainability alongside scientific communication. Reusing poster materials is a practical way to make research events more resource-conscious, while the poster session gives research new life through questions, feedback, and connections.

KACS is grateful to Professor Levin for joining us as keynote speaker, to the poster presenters and volunteers for contributing to the evening, and to everyone who attended. We extend special thanks to Zoetis for sponsoring the event and supporting the local chemistry community. We also thank Bell’s Eccentric Café for hosting the gathering.

The annual Sci-Mix poster session reflects what makes a local ACS community valuable: bringing people together across organizations and areas of chemistry to share ideas, learn from one another, and build connections. KACS looks forward to continuing that tradition through future programs.

Help Shape 2027 Joint Great Lakes and Central Regional Meeting

Dear American Chemical Society member,

The planning for the American Chemical Society 2027 Joint Great Lakes and Central Regional Meeting in Terre Haute, Indiana, is well underway, and we’re excited to begin shaping a truly standout event.

Our goal is to build programming that is both technically engaging and intellectually inspiring, while also offering ample opportunities for connection, collaboration, and celebration of the scientific spirit through non‑technical events. To do that well, we want to hear directly from the communities we serve.

To help us gather broad, enthusiastic participation from all corners of our two regions, we’ve created the survey linked below.

The survey focuses on two major areas:

1. Gauging interest in potential programming topics, and

2. Identifying individuals or groups interested in contributing to the planning process.

My colleague on this project, Krysta Riel Maas, is coordinating with Division leadership to shape the technical program. In parallel, my aim is to bring together the strengths, resources, and unique perspectives of scientists throughout our regions. Together, we hope to craft a Regional Meeting that is attractive, valuable, and energizing for chemists at every career stage.

Please forward this survey to anyone in your community who may be interested in helping us create worthwhile programming.

Sincerely,

Erica Price
Chair-Elect, St. Joseph Valley LS
Non-Technical Program Chair
Local Organizing Committee, GLCRM 2027