Annual Election: Call for 2025 Executive Board Candidates & Voting

Posted on October 2, 2024October 2, 2024

The Orlando Section of the ACS is seeking individuals interested in joining our 2025 Executive Board. We have five positions up for election: Chair Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Alternate Councilor. A description of each position is included below. Please contact the nomination committee chair, Brian Mosby (bmosby@rollins.edu), with any additional questions.

To make a nomination, complete the nomination form or email nomination information (name of nominee, contact information, and nominated position) to Brian Mosby (bmosby@rollins.edu). All nominations must be submitted by November 1st, 2024. Voting will open on November 8^th, instructions for voting by electronic ballot will be sent before the voting period opens.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Chair Elect (one-year term; three-year term total). The main responsibilities are:

To vote/participate in executive board decisions
Serve as chair for meetings which the Chair cannot attend
Succeed to office of Chair for the next year

Treasurer (one-year term). The main responsibilities are:

Prepare the annual budget/expenditures report for Nationals
Maintain the Section bank account
Maintain a budget, disbursements, expenditures, and accounting for the Section activities
To vote/participate in executive board decisions

Secretary (one-year term). The main responsibilities are:

To take notes at exec meetings
To set-up and distribute ballots for elections (mostly electronic now)
Oversee website and social media communications
To vote/participate in executive board decisions

Alternate Councilor (three-year term). The main responsibilities are:

In the absence of the Councilor’s ability to attend, attend national meetings, represent the Section, and report back activities
Assist in preparing and submitting the annual report to the national office
Vote/participate in executive board decisions

2024 NCW Illustrated Poem Contest: Picture Perfect Chemistry

Posted on September 27, 2024September 28, 2024

The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) is hosting an illustrated poem contest for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Entries must be sponsored by a local school or community group for verification purposes.

Contest_Deadline:	Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 11:59 PM Eastern
Local Prizes:	One winner will be awarded ($50) for each of the flowing categories: Grades K-2 Grades 3-5 Grades 6-8 Grades 9-12 The teacher who guided the winner will receive a small funding ($100) for classroom supplies.
Local Contact:	Duy Le (submission@orlandoacs.org)
Submission:	Illustrated poem and submission form must be submitted to https://forms.gle/yXx7EEJbPzSmu2128 or emailed to submission@orlandoacs.org

Winners of the Orlando 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!

How to participate:

Write and illustrate a poem using the NCE theme, “Picture Perfect Chemistry.” Your poem must be no more than 40 words and in the following styles to be considered:

HAIKU – LIMERICK – ODE – ABC POEM – FREE VERSE – END RHYME – BLANK VERSE

Possible topics related to the theme include:

Chemical reaction
Molecules
Transparent
Ultrasound
Colloid
Film
Filters
Lens
Imaging
Pixel

Entries will be judged based upon:

Artistic Merit – use of color, quality of drawing, design & layout

Poem Message – fun, motivational, inspiring about yearly theme

Originality Creativity – unique, clever and/or creative design

Neatness – free of spelling and grammatical errors

Contest rules:

·   All poems must be no more than 40 words, and in one of the following styles to be considered: Haiku, Limerick, Ode, ABC poem, Free verse, End rhyme, and Blank verse.
·   Entries are judged based upon relevance to and incorporation of the NCW theme, word choice and imagery, colorful artwork, adherence to poem style, originality and creativity, and overall presentation.
·   All entries must be original works without aid from others. Poems may be submitted by hand on an unlined sheet of paper not larger than 11” by 14” or scanned and sent via email. Illustrations may be created using crayons, watercolors, other types of paint, colored pencils, or markers. The illustration may also be electronically created by using a digital painting and drawing app on a computer, tablet, or mobile device.
·   The text of the poem should be easy to read and may be typed before the hand-drawn or digital illustration is added, or the poem may be written on lined paper, which is cut out and pasted onto the unlined paper with the illustration.
·   No clipart or unoriginal images can be used.
·   Only one entry per student will be accepted; all entries must include an entry form. If the illustration is created using a digital painting or drawing app, the name of the program must be included on the entry form.
·   Acceptance of prizes constitutes consent to use winners’ first name, and entry for editorial, advertising, and publicity purposes.
·   Do not place participant names on the front of your poem.

Download submission form and this flyer.

Examples (2023 National winners)

Call for Annual Awards Nominations

Posted on September 26, 2024September 26, 2024

Since 1991, the Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society has recognized individuals who live, work, or study in the seven-county region of the Orlando Section and excel in chemistry. Continuing this tradition, this year, the Orlando Section will give the following awards:

Eileen Tulley Award for Outstanding High School Student
Outstanding High School Teacher
Outstanding Undergraduate at a Primarily Teaching Institution
Outstanding Undergraduate at a Primarily Research Institution
Outstanding Graduate at a Primarily Research Institution
Outstanding Educator at a Primarily Teaching Institution
Outstanding Educator at a Primarily Research Institution
Outstanding Chemist
Outstanding Chemistry Professional
Outstanding Entrepreneur/Employer Award
Outstanding Volunteer

Descriptions and criteria for each award can be found in our website at https://orlandoacs.org/annual-awards

If you know someone or companies who should be recognized publicly, please nominate them for an ACS Orlando Section award. Each Award consists of a plaque and a monetary award. Awardees will be honored at the local Section’s annual banquet held on December 7^th, 2024. Student nominees need not be currently enrolled in chemistry but can be nominated for achievements for the spring 2024 term..

Nomination package includes:
(1) A letter of nomination stating why this person/company* deserves the award.
(2) A letter of support from someone else who knows the nominee.**

Each letter should include the name of the award, and the writer’s email address, and daytime phone number. Electronic submissions are required by completing the digital form (link below) and uploading PDF letters in the appropriate places on the form. Questions can be directed to Dr. Nasri Nesnas, Chair of the Orlando Section Awards Committee at nesnas@fit.edu. To be considered, nominations must be received by 5pm Wednesday November 13, 2024.

Complete this form and upload ONLY PDF formatted letters here: https://valenciacc.ut1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2b4n5Kri7jWWjki

Nominators of awardees are expected to participate in the Orlando Section’s annual banquet to introduce the awardees.

* Point of contact for nominated company must be included in the letter.
** Nominees for awards need not be members of the Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society.

National Chemistry Week’s event: Picture Perfect Chemistry

Posted on September 10, 2024September 10, 2024

Join the ACS Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society and Orlando Science Center for a community event for National Chemistry Week and celebrate the importance of chemistry in everyday life! Learn about this year’s theme, Picture Perfect Chemistry, with exciting hands-on activities.

When: Saturday, October 12^nd, 2024 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Where: Orlando Science Center

If you are interested in helping out with the event, please fill out this form by September 20, 2024. Any question, please contact Dr. Denisia Popolan-Vaida (Denisia.Popolan-Vaida@ucf.edu). https://ucf.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8ujiyI7Mz1VC2uq

Student Travel Awards: ACS Fall 2024 National Meeting and Expo

Posted on June 11, 2024June 11, 2024

To encourage participations of students in local, regional, and national conferences organized by of the American Chemical Society and its affiliates and to create opportunities for students to enhance their scientific experiences and networking, the Orlando Local Section of the American Chemical Society offers travel awards. Time is running out to apply for a Student Travel Award to participate in the ACS Fall 2024 National Meeting and Expo in Denver, CO in August. It is anticipated that the selected awardees will receive up to $500.

To apply, student applicant should prepare an application package (a single PDF file) that includes the following:

Brief introduction of applicant
Proof of acceptance of abstract
Abstract of presentation
Brief explanation of why travel award from the Orlando Local Section of the American Chemical Society is necessary (especially those whose research projects are federal/industrially/privately funded)
Contact information of advisor (The award committee will request a statement from advisor indicating of the travel award for registration, lodging, and/or travel expenses).

Application package should be sent via email to the Awards Committee (Dr. Darlene Slattery, dslattery1@cfl.rr.com) by 07/10/2024. The committee will select awardees based on an applicant’s financial needs with preference given to those who possess a currently active ACS-student membership and those who have not received a previous award this year. Novelty and impact of the research project is a bonus criterion.

SERMACS 2024: Communication Symposium

Posted on April 18, 2024April 18, 2024

The ACS Committee on Public Relations and Communications (CPRC) will sponsor a symposium at SERMACS 2024 in Atlanta October 23-26, 2024, titled “Innovative methods of communicating the value of chemistry to the public.” Please forward this email to your constituency and/or place on your local section or division web site.

We are particularly interested in hearing from students (undergraduate or graduate) who are involved in outreach or other communication avenues; the best student presentations will receive cash awards.

The abstract submission begins April 29, 2024; in the past the hard deadline was in the summer, about 6 weeks later. Students are not easy to contact during the summer, so if you know of any student groups that communicate the value of chemistry to the public, please ask them to write an abstract and submit through the ACS MAPS portal.

The SERMACS home is https://sermacs2024.org and most of the seven tabs contain information.

Student Travel Awards for FAME Participation

Posted on April 13, 2024April 15, 2024

Time is running out to apply for a Student Travel AWARD to participate in FAME 2024 (Florida Annual Meeting and Exposition). The Orlando Local Section of the American Chemical Society offers travel awards to students who are in need of financial supplement for their participations in local, regional, and national conferences organized by of the American Chemical Society and its affiliates

Selected students will receive awards of up to $150. To apply, student applicant needs to prepare an application package (a single PDF file) that includes the following:

Brief introduction of applicant
Proof of acceptance to conference and acceptance of abstract
Brief explanation of why travel award from the Orlando Local Section of the American Chemical Society is necessary (especially those whose research projects are federal/industrially/privately funded)
Contact information of advisor (The award committee will request a statement from advisor indicating appropriate use of the travel award to registration, lodging, and/or travel expenses).

Application package should be sent via email to Awards Committee (Dr. Darlene Slattery, dslattery1@cfl.rr.com) by 05/15/2024 for FAME applications.

2024 US National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO)

Posted on December 6, 2023February 13, 2024

Dear Chemistry Colleague,

As 2023 Chair of the Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS), I am pleased to announce that the Orlando section will be participating in the 2024 US National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO). The primary goals of this program are to stimulate interest and achievement in chemistry among high school students throughout the United States and to provide recognition of outstanding young chemistry students, teachers, and schools.

Students competing in the USNCO are eligible to be selected as members of the United States team for the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO). For the past 35 years, the United States has sent a team of four students to compete with nations around the world at IChO. The students participate in both theoretical and laboratory examinations over several days. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded to the best performers and the IChO provides students the opportunity to interact with their peers from other countries.

My immediate task is to encourage you and your students to participate in this program. New this year, is our partnership with Dr. Luca Argenti, from the physics department at UCF. In high school, Luca was part of the Italian team at the IChO, where he earned a silver and a gold medal. He will be offering sessions for students, both online and in person, to help prepare students for the exam.

It is the responsibility of the Orlando section to nominate students from the local area to take the USNCO national examination. In order to identify these students, the Orlando section is conducting a preliminary screening of students through the high school chemistry faculty in our area. The national exam involves three phases, administered to more than 1000 students. The first exam is done in the high school chemistry class organized by the high school instructor for nominated students. This can take place anytime during the month of March. Exams will be mailed to the high school instructor in late February. Exam answer sheets are emailed or mailed back to the Olympiad coordinator by March 30, 2024

Ten (10) students (maximum of 2 students from each high school) will be chosen, based on the second round scores, to take part in an all-day chemistry practical at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy on Saturday, April 20, 2024 in Room 404. This is an all-day theoretical and practical exam, running from 8:30 AM-3:00 PM. Students will be notified in early April if they are selected for this second round of testing. Students can view study resources and view past exams at www.acs.org/olympiad.

I encourage your school to participate in this academic Olympiad. All students who participate will be recognized and presented with a certificate and pin. The top 150 students will receive recognition for outstanding performance at the national level. Also, any student making it to the third round of testing in Washington, DC in May, can be sponsored by the Orlando Section for travel. The local Orlando section hopes this recognition will stimulate interest in chemistry and promote a positive attitude toward chemistry.

Mary Roslonowski has been appointed the USNCO coordinator for this area. We encourage you to nominate students from your school to this competition by completing and returning the enclosed registration form on or before Jan 19, 2024 to Mary Roslonowski at mroslonowski@htes.org. If you would like your students to participate in the chemistry enrichment sessions with Dr. Argenti, please email Mary as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact her at 321-243-6198. Thank you for helping to promote chemical education in the US.

Sincerely,

Nicole Lapeyrouse

2023 Chair, Orlando Section ACS

Important information

USNCO Rules

Annual Awards Banquet Invitation

Posted on November 13, 2023November 13, 2023

The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society will recognize 2023 awards winners in a traditional annual awards banquet on December 2^nd, 2023. You are invited to attend the banquet:

Saturday, December 2^nd, 2023
11:30AM to 2:00PM
At the 310 Lakeside
301 East Pine Street, Orlando, FL 32801

MENU
Appetizers
Stuffed Mushroom – sausage, spinach, parmesan
Fried Green Tomato – pimento spread, bacon jam, chives
Tomato and Mozzarella Skewer – fresh basil, olive oil, balsamic glaze
Entrée choice of
Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken
Pasta Primavera
seasonal vegetables, grana padano cheese
Chicken Piccata
white wine, butter, capers, lemon sauce
Salmon
tomato bruschetta, balsamic glaze
Dessert
Tiramisu
Beverages
Iced tea, soft beverages, and Illy coffee
Cash bar is available

The cost will be $25/person (after subsidy, tax and gratuity included). The Section will pay the bill with a single check. Please be prepared to pay at the door by check or cash—unfortunately we cannot accept credit cards.

Reservation can be made online at https://forms.gle/ppkK4WM5aHDQDFu88, or by email to Nicole.lapeyrouse@ucf.edu. Reservations must be made by November 26, 2023. Please include names so that we can provide nametags.

We look forward to seeing you all there!