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, April 27, 2025 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.
*Submissions must be of high quality, align with the contest’s theme, and achieve the highest score.
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 CCEW theme, “Glaciers:Hot Topic, Cool Chemistry!” Your poem must be no more than 40 words and in the following styles to be considered:
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 CCEW 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 (No AI). · Acceptance of prizes constitutes consent to use winners’ first name and last initial, along with the name of the ACS Local Section, on the ACS web pages and, in the magazine, Chemical & Engineering News · Do not place participant names on the front of your poem.
The Orlando Section announces a series of casual gatherings for members to connect at locations with a little scientific flair. We plan to meet at a different venue each month now through the summer. Most will be free, drop-in, and family friendly.
Embark on an unforgettable luncheon with your fellow Orlando Section members aboard the rivership, the Barbara Lee, departing from Historic Sanford, FL. Choose from seven different entrees, showcasing culinary excellence with options to suit every taste. Tickets include food, entertainment, and cruise. Coffee, tea, and water are provided. Soda and alcoholic beverages as well as gratuities are not included.
As you savor your meal, live entertainment will serenade you with music, creating a festive atmosphere as you cruise along the scenic waters of the St. Johns River. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy watching the local wildlife, which includes birds, manatees and alligators at various times throughout the year. During the lunch tours, our cruise guide will point out wildlife, areas of interest and share the history of steamships that sailed the St. Johns River.
To encourage student participation in local, regional, and national conferences organized by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and its affiliates, and to create opportunities for students to enhance their scientific experiences and networking, the Orlando Local Section of the ACS offers travel awards. Students with an accepted abstract to present are encouraged to apply for a Student Travel Award for the ACS Spring 2025 National Meeting and Expo in San Diego, CA, in March. Two travel awards of $500 each are planned—one for a graduate student and one for an undergraduate student.
Arden Floyd gave a poster presentation on her research titled “Cloud Condensation Nuclei Activity of Fresh and Aged Maleic Acid Aerosol Particles” at FAME 2023.
Application Instructions: To apply, student applicant should prepare an application package (a single PDF file) that includes the following:
A brief introduction of the applicant
Proof of acceptance of the abstract
The abstract of the presentation
A brief explanation of why a travel award from the Orlando Local Section of the ACS is necessary (especially for those whose research projects are federally, industrially, or privately funded)
Contact information of the advisor (the award committee will request a statement from the advisor indicating the need for the travel award for registration, lodging, and/or travel expenses)
The application package should be sent via email to the Awards Committee (Dr. Laura Sessions, lsessions@valenciacollege.edu) by January 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM. The committee will select awardees based on financial need, with preference given to those who possess an active ACS student membership, those who have not received a previous travel award from the Orlando Section, and distribution among the colleges and universities in our Section. Novelty and impact of the research project are bonus criteria.
The Orlando Section announces a series of casual gatherings for members to connect at locations with a little scientific flair. We plan to meet at a different venue each month now through the summer. Most will be free, drop-in, and family friendly.
Pictures from the last ACS event at the Orlando Wetlands in 2018. From Jen Archer and Emily Heider.
Drop by and chat with some of your fellow Orlando Section members, take a self-guided walking tour, or drop in for the 10am or 11am tram tour. Stay as long as you wish. Look for us in the pavilion to the right of the welcome trailer.
The Orlando Wetlands offers public tram tours to highlight the creation, operation, management, and wildlife of the facility. The volunteer program runs tram cart tours for groups of less than 10 people on Saturdays, lasting 45 – 60 minutes. Since reservations are not taken, we recommend getting there 15 minutes before the hour to reserve a seat. Bring your picnic lunch too. In Christmas, FL.
Tentative next event will be March 16 on St. Johns Rivership Co. for a Lunch Cruise. More information and a full spring schedule coming soon!
We are excited to announce the results of 2025 Executive Committee of the Orlando Local Section of the American Chemical Society and By-Laws Vote. Voting opened on November 11th, 2024 and closed on November 22nd, 2024.
Chair-Elect: Dr. Toufiq Reza Secretary: Dr. Meghan McGreal Treasurer: Dr. Van Quach Alternate Councilor: Dr. Nicole Lapeyrouse By-Laws Amendments: Passed Electronic record of the results can be found on third party website.
Among many other activities for the 2024 National Chemistry Week (NCW), the Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) hosted the 2024 NCW Illustrated Poem Contest for K-12 students in Central Florida. This year, the theme of the contest is “Picture Perfect Chemistry”.
Thanks to members of counties’ school boards and the teachers who brought the contest to students’ attention, the contest received many entries from multiple schools.
Results of the local contest
K-2 Category Honorable Mention: E. M. Freedom 7 Elementary School (Brevard County)
Winner of Grade 9-12 Category, by A. E. from Lake Mary High School (Seminole County)
Grade 3-5 Category Honorable Mention: A. R. C. Highlands Elementary School (Osceola County)
Grade 6-8 Category No Winner
Grade 9-12 Category Winner: A. E. Lake Mary High School (Seminole County)
The winner of each category will receive a certificate and a monetary award of $50. The teacher who guided the winner of each category will receive a school supply funding of $100. Honorable Mention will also receive certificate and a monetary award ($25 and $50% for student and teacher, respectively).
The winner of each category also advances to the national 2024 NCW Illustrated Poem Contest. The full results of the national contest can be found at ACS website. If you have any comments or questions regarding the local contest, please contact the local section’s coordinator of the contest (Dr. Duy Le, submission@orlandoacs.org).
The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society will recognize 2024 award winners in a traditional annual awards banquet on December 7th, 2024. You are cordially invited to attend the banquet:
Saturday, December 7th, 2024 11:30AM to 2:00PM Location: blu on the avenue 326 Park Avenue South Winter Park, FL 32789
The event will commence with a social including hors d’oeuvres of tomato bruschetta, shrimp cocktail, and crab bruschetta. A cash bar will be available.
Lunch Menu Beverages: Iced Tea, Soft Beverages, and Illy Coffee Entrée choice of Pasta Primavera – seasonal vegetables, grana padano cheese Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken – grana padano cheese, house made caesar dressing, croutons Chicken Piccata – white wine, butter, capers, lemon sauce, garlic mash, seasonal vegetable Salmon – tomato bruschetta, balsamic glaze, garlic mash, seasonal vegetable Dessert choice of Tiramisu or Apple Caramel Crisp
We will recognize individuals for their outstanding achievements in chemistry and across the broader chemical enterprise following lunch. 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.
All reservations must be made by December 1st, 2024 and can be submitted:
We are excited to announce the candidates for 2025 Executive Committee of the Orlando Local Section of the American Chemical Society. Voting is expected to open on November 11th, 2024 and will close on November 22nd, 2024. You will receive an email with instructions on how to cast your votes electronically.
Dr. Toufiq Reza Candidate for Chair-Elect
Dr. Toufiq Rezais an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Florida Institute of Technology. He received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Nevada, Reno in 2013 and 2011, respectively. He has published one hundred and twelve peer-reviewed journal articles, five patents, two book chapters, and more than one hundred oral and poster presentations. Dr. Reza was named to the I&EC Research 2021 Class of Influential Researchers. He is also listed in the “World Ranking of Top 2% Scientists” in 2021-2023 database published by Stanford University. Dr. Reza leads the Biofuels Research Lab at Florida Tech with primary research interest on thermochemical conversions of biomass and biowastes. His research has been funded by NSF, DOE, USDA, EPA, Florida Sea Grant, and USAID. Dr. Reza is a member of multiple scientific societies including AIChE, ACS, and ASABE and their local sections. He is an officer of AIChE Environmental Division and co-chair of technical section – Water. He is also the Chair of PRS-707 Food & Organic Waste Management & Utilization at the ASABE and Vice-Chair of ASE-12 Forest Engineering. Dr. Reza wants to bring his experience with other scientific society and to serve at the ACS Orlando Section as Chair-Elect.
Dr. Pavithra Pathirathna Candidate for Secretary
Pavithra Pathirathna is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the Florida Institute of Technology. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, and earned her Ph.D. under Parastoo Hashemi in the Department of Chemistry at Wayne State University, MI. She conducted her postdoctoral research at the University of Pittsburgh with Shigeru Amemiya. Pavithra’s interdisciplinary and translational research focuses on developing and optimizing electrochemical sensors for the analysis of biologically and environmentally significant metals and neurotransmitters, with applications in point-of-care diagnostics. Her research has been funded by the Naval Research Laboratory and the National Science Foundation. Among her prestigious distinctions are the Outstanding Educator at a Research Institute award from the ACS and the Educator of the Year award from United Bridge Inc. In addition to her academic and research roles, she has led a STEM club at Palm Bay Middle School and has been serving as the secretary of the ACS Orlando section since 2021. She also serves as a reviewer for several journals.
Dr. Meghan McGreal Candidate for Secretary and Candidate for Alternate Councilor
Dr. Meghan McGreal is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Stetson University in DeLand. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and her master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. She is a computational chemist with a research focus on metalloenzyme catalysis and biomimetic modifications to the active sites of these enzymes.
Dr. McGreal is the faculty adviser to the Stetson University ACS Student Chapter and is a founding member of the Stetson Inclusive Pedagogy Faculty Cohort. Dr. McGreal is very passionate about undergraduate chemistry education, as well as providing connections and outreach opportunities for the public to experience chemistry. With the newly formed ACS student chapter, she has performed experiments with children at the NOBBCChE Stem Festival as well as at the Downtown DeLand Monsters on Main Street Halloween Event, which had close to 10,000 people in attendance.
Dr. McGreal has been a member of the ACS since she was an undergraduate student and has appreciated the opportunity to connect with other chemists at conferences and events throughout her career. She is a new addition to the Orlando Section of the ACS and is excited about the opportunity to get more involved.
Dr. Van Quach Candidate for Treasurer
Dr. Van Quach has been the treasurer of the Orlando Section since 2019. In addition, he is a professor of chemistry at Seminole State College. He has been teaching there since Aug 2010. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Florida in 1999. After taking some time off for travel, he made his way up to Tallahassee, FL to start graduate school. At Florida State University, his research focused on better understanding of the theoretical and fundamental processes that occur during chemical separation. Specifically, he investigated the temperature dependence of the phase ration in liquid chromatography systems. He received his Ph.D. in 2009 and taught for two years at FSU before returning to the central Florida area to teach at Seminole State College. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, reading, and drinking good wines.
Dr. Nicole Lapeyrouse Candidate for Alternate Councilor
Dr. Nicole Lapeyrouse is a lecturer at the University of Central Florida (UCF). She performed her undergraduate studies at Florida International University and graduate work at UCF. At UCF, her research focuses on chemistry education. Dr. Lapeyrouse’s current research has three main focuses with the overall goal of increasing student retention in STEM. This includes investigating student perception of teaching practices and their experience with unique multimedia. In addition, she explores representation in STEM instructor materials, including textbooks, PowerPoints, and other resources. Finally, her research group looks at identifying factors that impact students’ STEM identity. Some of her prestigious distinctions include Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, Affordable Instructional Materials High Impact Individual Award Recipient for use of Open Education Resources, and Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year.
Dr. Chris Avery Candidate for Alternate Councilor
Dr. Chris Avery is a Managing Director for ICF, an international environmental consulting firm. He works with agencies and governments in achieving their goals on energy and environmental products and informing government choices with science. He received his Bachelors in chemistry from Hope College in 2005, before heading to the University of Michigan for a Masters and Ph.D. in Chemistry. His thesis work focused on understanding how proteins and peptides interact with cellular membranes. After graduate school, he went to Washington DC as a AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow, working in Congress and the Department of Energy. He has been an advocate for broader awareness of alternative scientific careers for chemists, especially in the policy realm. He has served in various roles within ACS, both nationally and locally, including as the chair of the Committee on Environment and Sustainability, and as a Councilor and Alternate Councilor for the Chemical Society of Washington, the ACS local section in Washington DC. He moved to our local section 5 years ago to be closer to family, and in his spare time enjoys cooking and spending time with friends and loved ones. Since coming to Orlando, he has participated in the development of the upcoming SERMACS meeting taking place in Orlando in 2025.
Due to the effect of hurricane Milton, this event has been rescheduled
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.
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 thenomination 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 8th, 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
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