Preparing Students for the Expanding Science-Driven Future
Sometimes it takes more than a match to light a fire and keep it going. That’s the great challenge that we face as we try to inspire students to seek knowledge and careers in science and prepare them for the realities of the global marketplace.
In 2010, ACS met this challenge. We not only reached out to thousands of eager, young elementary and secondary school students in new and innovative ways, we provided a new generation of undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities to learn skills they will need to compete and succeed as they move forward with their careers.
One of our most successful efforts, The ACS Scholars Program, celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2010. This program helps underrepresented minority students achieve their dreams of degrees and careers in a broad range of chemical sciences. In all, nearly 2,400 African-American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American students have participated in the program since 1995. Of those, nearly 1,100 have earned bachelor’s degrees in a chemical science and 37 percent have entered the chemical science workforce. More than 75 of these ACS Scholars have gone on to earn doctoral degrees in chemistry, chemical engineering or a related discipline.
Record numbers of students participated in Project SEED, which offers high school students the rare opportunity to work in academic, government or industrial research laboratories for an eight- to 10-week term. In 2010, the program placed 444 economically disadvantaged high school students in more than 150 research laboratories under the supervision of more than 420 volunteer scientific mentors.
We also launched the ACS Middle School Chemistry Unit. This six-chapter chemistry unit is available for free online and features demonstrations and hands-on activities along with molecular model images and animations that help students understand atoms, ions and molecules.
The Science Coaches Program was another new initiative in 2010. This program, which resulted from a recommendation by the ACS Board-Presidential Task Force on Education, matches a teacher with a Science Coach. Together, they mutually decide how the coach can best help the teacher. The partnership is intended to form an ongoing relationship that is beneficial for the teacher, coach, and ultimately the students. 32 coaches are participating in the pilot year.
For the second year in a row, ACS is collaborating with the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), America International Group, and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) to provide a summer internship program that introduces exceptional chemistry and chemical engineering undergraduates to careers in the chemical industry. The program has expanded since the first year when 21 students participated. In 2011, 29 selected students will participate in paid summer internships and will also receive $1,000 to attend a technical meeting of their choice. They will also nominate a high school science teacher for recognition and a $1,000 award.
ACS advocated for science education on Capitol Hill. The reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act, a top ACS advocacy objective, was unexpectedly resurrected in the U.S. Senate by long-time ACS allies Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and passed by Congress and signed into law. The restructured bill covered a shorter timeframe and lower investments than those passed earlier by the House. The COMPETES law included language sought by ACS to create a green chemistry program at the National Science Foundation. The program will fund grants and curricula materials and support public-private green chemistry partnerships. ACS activated its Legislative Action Network (LAN) to encourage its 16,000 members to write their legislators in support of the legislation. ACS also issued a press release applauding Congress for passing the bill.
Our efforts to promote interest in science also went beyond the classroom.
In May ACS was one of the primary sponsors for National Lab Day. The event, which is now known as the National Lab Network, featured thousands of scientists ― including more than 450 ACS members ― participating in hands-on experiments and science-based activities with students across the nation in an effort to kindle an excitement for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Nationally, the grassroots movement offered more than 1,700 projects matching 11,000 teachers and volunteers to bring real science to students from kindergarten to 12th grade.
"National Lab Day is truly breaking new ground in connecting scientists and engineers with educators and students across the country,” said ACS President Joseph S. Francisco. “One project and community at a time, National Lab Day is helping our children learn about the wonders of science in ways that will help inspire them to pursue the technology careers that will keep our country strong and prosperous."
National Lab Day was launched in response to President Barack Obama’s call at the National Academy of Sciences in 2009 for all Americans to elevate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education as a national priority. As part of this commitment, President Obama invited Nathan S. Benjamin, a 2009 International Chemistry Olympiad silver medalist, to attend the first White House Science Fair in October.