Overview
The mission of National Chemistry Week (NCW) is to reach the public, particularly elementary and secondary school children, with positive messages about chemistry to:
- Make a positive change in the public’s impression of chemistry;
- Promote a mechanism for effectively mobilizing ACS local sections; and
- Motivate the ACS membership through local section activities.
NCW occurs annually during the fourth week of October.
Chemists Celebrate Earth Week (CCEW) is also a part of NCW. For years, chemists have been promoting a better world through recyclable plastics, cleaner-burning fuels, phosphate-free detergents, environmental monitoring, and green chemistry initiatives. To promote the positive role that chemistry plays in the world, ACS established the CCEW public awareness campaign. During CCEW, ACS members and chemistry enthusiasts celebrate by coordinating events and communicating the importance of chemistry.
The awards for the Illustrated Poem Contest are handed out during Education night in May of each year.
Volunteer Opportunities
NESACS typically holds three events during National Chemistry Week in October. Two of these events are held at the Museum of Science, Boston, and the other is held at Boston Children’s Museum. The success of our events relies heavily on our volunteers and we are constantly looking for volunteers to demonstrate various fun chemistry experiments to visitors of all ages. If you would like to be involved with NCW, please contact Ray Lam (Raymond.sk.lam@gmail.com) for further details.
Who We Are
Dr. Jayashree Ranga, Chair, Chemists Celebrate Earth Week
Salem State University
National Chemistry Week Illustrated Poem Contest
Each year, NESACS sponsors an illustrated poem contest for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Winners of the Northeastern Local Section’s Illustrated Poem Contest advance to the National Illustrated Poem Contest for a chance to be featured on the ACS website and to win prizes. This years contest deadline is Sunday, October 29 by 11:59 PM ET. You can read more here and also find the context entry form.
Past recipients
2022
NESACS NCW Poem Contest Winner in Grades 3-5
Navya Raj, Pine Hill Elementary School
NESACS NCW Poem Contest Winner in Grades 9-12
Ashmita Prajapati
2021
NESACS NCW Poem Contest Winner in Grades K-2
Elliot Parker, 2nd Grade, Lee Academy Pilot School
Teacher: Taydavia Martinez
NESACS NCW Poem Contest Winner in Grades 6-8
Aditya Tangella, 6th Grade, Gardner Pilot Academy
Teacher: Dylan Considine
NESACS NCW Poem Contest Winner in Grades 9-12
Erica Brown, 12th Grade, Montrose School
Teacher: Monica Baker
2020
NESACS NCW Poem Contest Winner in Grades 3-5
Aahana Kapil, 4th Grade, Montrose Primary School
Teacher: Martine Stevens
NESACS NCW Poem Contest Winner in Grades 6-8
Ashmita Prajapati, 8th Grade, Vassal Lane Upper School
Teacher: Tanya Benjan
2019
NESACS NCW Poem Contest Winner in Grades 6-8
Ashmita Prajapati, 7th Grade, Vassal Lane Upper School
Teacher: Sarah Shaw
NESACS NCW Poem Contest Winner in Grades 6-8
Anthony Kim, 6th Grade, Phillips Academy Andover
Teacher: Kevin Cardozo
2018
NESACS NCW Poem Contest Winner in Grades 6-8
Ashmita Prajapati, 6th Grade, Vassal Lane Upper School
Teacher: Hebaallah Abumohamed
NESACS NCW Poem Contest Winner in Grades 9-12
Rachel Soper, 12th Grade, Kennebecasis Valley High School
Teacher: Maura Tait
2017
NESACS NCW Poem Contest Winner in Grades 3-5
Cosette Cummins, 4th Grade, N/A
Teacher: N/A
NESACS NCW Poem Contest Winner in Grades 9-12
Hannah Pais, 10th Grade, Burlington High School
Teacher: Wendy Czerwinski
2016
NESACS NCW Poem Contest Winner in Grades 6-8
Owen Hale, 7th Grade, Woodbury Middle School
Teacher: Mary Louise Barta
NESACS NCW Poem Contest Winner in Grades 9-12
Sindhu Mukundan, 10th Grade, Pioneer Charter School of Science I
Teacher: N/A
National Chemistry Week 2022 (2nd of 3 events)
National Chemistry Week 2022 (1st of 3 events)
National Chemistry Week at the Museum of Science
National Chemistry Week at the Museum of Science
National Chemistry Week at the Museum of Science
National Chemistry Week at the Museum of Science
