Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Respect in the Lehigh Valley Section

Chemistry is done by everybody. Period.
There are no boundaries in the human endeavor of learning and research.
The Lehigh Valley Section celebrates the contributions of its diverse membership.

AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY DIVERSITY, EQUALITY, INCLUSION AND RESPECT CORE VALUE STATEMENT

"We believe in the strength of diversity in all its forms, because inclusion of and respect for diverse people, experiences, and ideas lead to superior solutions to world challenges and advances chemistry as a global, multidisciplinary science."
More information on ACS Policies and Actions

After School Chemistry Partnership Program

The Penn State Berks Chapter of the American Chemical Society is partnering with the Lehigh Valley Section of the American Chemical Society (LVACS) for the LVACS Afterschool Chemistry Partnership Program!

The Lehigh Valley Section of the American Chemical Society (LVACS) funded by the American Chemical Society (ACS) Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, & Respect Grant, is partnering with community organizations to provide an interactive, virtual after-school chemistry enrichment program via Zoom!

This program provides students with an opportunity to make new friends while meeting and connecting with scientists and college STEM students from across our vibrant, diverse communities.

Not only do the students learn about chemistry careers, and summer research opportunities for high schoolers through the ACS Project SEED Program, but weekly activities also include free fun experiments, themed demonstrations, guest speakers, a movie watch party, book club, and more!

Here's what the students are saying about ASCPP: "I think that the ChemSTEM Club is really good and I enjoyed it a lot. I got to learn about new things and overall think about what I want to do with my future in STEM." "Yes, I really like the program. I have learned a lot in that program and I have been very interested in science since I began to hear about the various things you can do as a scientist and as an inventor. They treat me well and they are all very kind, the classes are good and they give me a lot of inspiration to be able to be with my dream."

Liliana Arias, student support specialist for MEP in the Lehigh Valley, comments: "Thank you for giving our middle and high school migrant students such an awesome opportunity to be a part of the LV ACS after-school partnership program. They are not only engaged in virtual and hands-on science activities and discussions but thinking about what to do now and in the future for their post-secondary goals."

WHEN: Wednesdays, February 3 – April 28 from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

WHERE: Zoom

PROGRAM INFORMATION: Program Overview and Schedule

REGISTRATION: Click to Register your Individual student or Group

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE: Press Release

READ THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT ASCPP: ASCPP News

PROGRAM CONTACTS

If you are interested in supporting, volunteering, or partnering for this program, please contact:

Greglynn Gibbs, gdw104@psu.edu, ASCPP Project Coordinator

Nigel Sanders, nigel53.sanders@gmail.com, LVACS Secretary

Jeremy Heyman, jbheyman@gmail.com, LVACS Project Seed Coordinator

* Brought to you by the Lehigh Valley ACS, Penn State Berks ACS Student Chapter, LVACS Project SEED Coordinator, and Northampton Community College Science Club.

Project SEED in the Lehigh Valley
LVACS has just been informed that our pilot virtual SEED project was approved!

Last year was a challenging one for ACS Project SEED! The program was virtual using an online ‘camp’ structure (LV had three participants). This year, the pandemic continues to make placing high school students from low-income households in local laboratories for summer research experience difficult. SEED will be a virtual experience as it was last year: Program link and brochure.

The LVACS Executive Committee strongly supports Project SEED and encourages members to contribute to this important ACS strategic program.

LVACS CONTACT: Jeremy Heyman, Northampton CC, jbheyman@gmail.com

Conversations with Chemists
A Celebration of International Women's Day

WEBINAR (1 hour) on March 8, 2021
Watch the video

Now, more than ever, careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are helping solve the world’s challenges. At the American Chemical Society, we recognize and value the countless individuals who have devoted their life’s work to use the transforming power of chemistry to improve all people’s lives. But how did these chemists get their start? And what does their daily work look like?

On International Women’s Day - March 8, 2021 four dynamic chemists presented their stories – past, present, and future. With a special focus on students in grades 4 – 8, we explored what sparked these scientists interest in chemistry, their education and career journeys, and the work they do today. This will be a great event to enjoy as a class or to encourage students to watch individually.

Panelists: Natalie LaFranzo, Cofactor Genomics, Ingrid Montes, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, Teri Odom, Northwestern University, Greglynn Walton-Gibbs, Penn State Berks
Moderator: Sue Morrissey, Director of Communications, American Chemical Society

The Resilience of Women in Chemistry

ACS Webinars March 25, 2021

Watch Video: Resilience

The pandemic affected professional lives in many ways and forced us to confront challenges and modify our activities. As the effects of the pandemic abate, we are begining to realize that understanding resilience is at the heart of moving forward.

Join Patricia Silveyra of Indiana University Bloomington, Sara Mason of University of Iowa, and Allison Aldridge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as they reflect on lessons learned and the paths to success during difficult times. During this free interactive broadcast discover how these successful women in the chemical enterprise overcame challenges, what constituted professional success for them, and the source of their resilience.

This ACS Webinar is moderated by our very own LVACS Treasurer, Lorena Tribe of Penn State Berks, and co-produced with the ACS Women Chemists Committee, ACS Department of Diversity Programs, and the ACS Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Respect Advisory Board.

What You Will Learn

What are some of the common challenges women chemists experienced in 2020
How did professionals in the chemical enterprise define success with the unprecedented conditions of the pandemic
What are some of the sources of the resilience of successful women chemists

Webinar Details

Thursday, March 25, 2021 @ 2-3:30pm ET
Slides are available to download.
***************************************************************************
ALSO: WCC announces a Fall Meeting Symposium on this topic!
The symposium "Resilience of (Women in) Chemistry" will focus on the challenges women chemists faced during 2020 and how they overcame them, including insights into the sources of their resilience.
Click here for details.
Abstracts by April 19th.