K-12
2021 CCEW Illustrated Poem Contest - Reducing Our Footprint with Chemistry
The Tampa Bay Local 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. The contest deadline is April 25, 2021 at 11:59 PM EST. Please submit entires here. Additional information regarding the poem contest can be found here.
USF Engineering Expo
The USF Engineering expo was a two day event, Feb 15-16, where upwards of 10,000 K-12 students, teachers, and parents were welcomed to USF and treated to more than 100 clubs and businesses sharing science! The collaboration of USF Chemistry Society and the chemistry engineering group AIChE is one of the largest booths at the Expo. This year, we had demos of ping pong ball explosions, propane bubbles, liquid nitrogen, clock reaction, Tollens test, and nitinol wire. We had interactive carbon dioxide bubbles and ferrofluid as well as take home putty.
Halloween Spree at Glazer's Children's Museum - October 2018
The UT Student Members of the ACS held an outreach event at the Glazer’s Children’s Museum as part of the Halloween Spree with Tampa Riverwalk. UT undergraduates and USF graduate students teamed up to demonstrate spooky chemistry experiments to celebrate National Chemistry Week and Halloween.
2018 You be the Chemist Challenge
For the fourth consecutive year, we're partnering up with the Chemical Education Foundation and Laura Lundberg of Heron Lake Middle School to host the state of Florida “You Be the Chemist Challenge” for 5 - 8 grade chemistry enthusiasts. The competition operates in a quiz bowl format with several rounds of multiple-choice questions that are displayed to both the participants and the audience on a screen, then the students use electronic devises to indicate their answers. University of Tampa undergraduate student volunteers who are members of the Stude Chapter of the ACS acted as judges and moderators for the competition.
Students and Teachers- if you'd like to participate, please reach out to Laura Lundberg, Stuart Nagourney, AND to Susan Del Valle
Students and Teachers- if you'd like to participate, please reach out to Laura Lundberg, Stuart Nagourney, AND to Susan Del Valle
United States Nation Chemistry Olympiad
Our Section will be hosting the second round of the US National Chemistry Olympiad at the University of Tampa on April 24. The first round of exams were administered at local high schools and our Section had over 200 high school students participate, On April 27, the top students will have to take two written exams and a lab practical to fight for a spot on the national team.
This year’s highest performing students are representing East Lake and Palm Harbor High in Pinellas, Pine View School for the Gifted in Sarasota, as well as King, Plant, Robinson, and Wharton in Hillsborough.
Twenty of the top scoring students on the national exam will be invited to a two-week study camp at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. Based on their performance, a combination of subjective and objective evaluations, four students will be selected to represent the United States at the IChO in Nakhon Pathon, Thailand, July 6-15, 2017. Best of luck to our students!
This year’s highest performing students are representing East Lake and Palm Harbor High in Pinellas, Pine View School for the Gifted in Sarasota, as well as King, Plant, Robinson, and Wharton in Hillsborough.
Twenty of the top scoring students on the national exam will be invited to a two-week study camp at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. Based on their performance, a combination of subjective and objective evaluations, four students will be selected to represent the United States at the IChO in Nakhon Pathon, Thailand, July 6-15, 2017. Best of luck to our students!
Chemists Celebrate Earth Day, K-12 Illustrated Poetry Contest
The Tampa Bay Local Section of the American Chemical Society invited K-12 students to celebrate Chemists Celebrate Earth Day (CCED) with us!
As part of every CCED celebration, ACS sponsors a contest for Kindergarten – 12th grade. Like the past five years, the 2015 contest was an illustrated poem contest. We were pleased to announce that our 2014 illustrated poetry contest promoted several winners to the national contest, and our Tampa Bay K-2 winner took second place at nationals bringing home a cash prize!!
This year’s CCED theme was “Chemistry Rocks”.
National Prizes
The National ACS will award $300 to first-place and $150 to second-place winners in each grade category. One entry for each grade category from our Tampa Bay Local Section will be promoted for a chance to win the national prizes. Winners will be selected in each of the following four categories:
K – 2nd grade
3rd – 5th grade
6th – 8th grade
9th – 12th grade
As part of every CCED celebration, ACS sponsors a contest for Kindergarten – 12th grade. Like the past five years, the 2015 contest was an illustrated poem contest. We were pleased to announce that our 2014 illustrated poetry contest promoted several winners to the national contest, and our Tampa Bay K-2 winner took second place at nationals bringing home a cash prize!!
This year’s CCED theme was “Chemistry Rocks”.
National Prizes
The National ACS will award $300 to first-place and $150 to second-place winners in each grade category. One entry for each grade category from our Tampa Bay Local Section will be promoted for a chance to win the national prizes. Winners will be selected in each of the following four categories:
K – 2nd grade
3rd – 5th grade
6th – 8th grade
9th – 12th grade
You be the Chemist Challenge
For the third consecutive year, we partnered up with the Chemical Education Foundation and Laurie Lundberg of Heron Lake Middle School to host the state of Florida “You Be the Chemist Challenge” on April 7 at The University of Tampa for 5 - 8 grade chemistry enthusiasts. The competition operates in a quiz bowl format with several rounds of multiple-choice questions that are displayed to both the participants and the audience on a screen, then the students use electronic devises to indicate their answers. University of Tampa undergraduate student volunteers who are members of the Stude Chapter of the ACS acted as judges and moderators for the competition.
After the first round of tests which were administered at local middle schools in the area, 40 students were invited to participate individually at MOSI, and the student with the highest scores won a chance to participate in the national challenge in June in Washington D.C. The prize included two round-trip tickets, hotel fare, and a gift card for the trip. For more information about how to get involved in next year’s competition, send us an email!
After the first round of tests which were administered at local middle schools in the area, 40 students were invited to participate individually at MOSI, and the student with the highest scores won a chance to participate in the national challenge in June in Washington D.C. The prize included two round-trip tickets, hotel fare, and a gift card for the trip. For more information about how to get involved in next year’s competition, send us an email!
LECOM's Medical Science Academy
LECOM's Medical Science Academy from June 12th to June 23rd is starting to fill up. Our focus this year is the Nervous System. You can check the following website to see how many spots are left.
STEM Fair Judges Needed
Are you an ACS member who is interested in judging at a K-12 Regional STEM Fair? All of our counties are recruiting judges at this time. There is also an opportunity to judge at the state level. Please contact Prof. Del Valle if you would like more information about the STEM Fair closest to you.
2016 High School Chemistry Olympiad
The U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad and the International Chemistry Olympiad are multi-tiered competitions that bring together the world's most talented high school students to test their knowledge and skills in chemistry. Nations around the world conduct examinations to nominate the most high-performing students for the International Chemistry Olympiad.
Prof. Susan Del Valle of the University of Tampa is the Regional Coordinator the the Tampa Bay Local Section. The local exam is first administered the students' high schools. The top performers in the 6-county ACS Section are then invited to the campus of the University of Tampa to participate in the national exam, which includes a written portion and a laboratory practical. If you are interested in participating, contact Prof. Del Valle for more information.
Prof. Susan Del Valle of the University of Tampa is the Regional Coordinator the the Tampa Bay Local Section. The local exam is first administered the students' high schools. The top performers in the 6-county ACS Section are then invited to the campus of the University of Tampa to participate in the national exam, which includes a written portion and a laboratory practical. If you are interested in participating, contact Prof. Del Valle for more information.
2015 Chemists Celebrate Earth Day
This year's theme, "Climate Change- More than Just a Weather Report", was celebrated by the ACS Student Chapter at the University of Tampa by hosting an experimentation station at the Glazer Children's Museum on April 25. The UT students also served as judges for the CCED National Illustrated Poetry Contest for our Section. This year, we had national qualifiers in every category! Way to go K-12 teachers!!
Our Section's first place winners were:
Nathan Harper (9-12)
Skylin Spencer (6-8)
Jarron Polonio (3-5)
Ella Phelps (K-2)
Our Section's first place winners were:
Nathan Harper (9-12)
Skylin Spencer (6-8)
Jarron Polonio (3-5)
Ella Phelps (K-2)
SPARK Program Accepting Applications
Moffitt’s Summer Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge (SPARK) is currently accepting applications for summer 2015
SPARK provides 10 weeks of intensive research training under the guidance of experienced Moffitt scientists. Twenty students are selected to train with researchers in various programs including: molecular oncology; immunology; drug discovery; experimental therapeutics; risk assessment; detection and intervention; health outcomes and behavior; integrated mathematical oncology; biostatistics; bioinformatics; and investigative imaging.
Selection is based on demonstrated interest in research through prior experience, a written essay, academics and letters of recommendation. There is no cost to the student and a stipend is provided.
Potential applicants should note that participation represents a 10-week, 40-hour-per week commitment. Students unable to make this commitment should not apply. A health screening and orientation process also will be required. Internships can be completed any10 weeks between May 1 andAug. 31.
Application and program information are available on the SPARK website.
Completed applications and documentation must be received no later thanFeb. 15.
Questions can be sent to [email protected] or by contacting Evelyn Rivera-Miranda at 745-6767.
SPARK provides 10 weeks of intensive research training under the guidance of experienced Moffitt scientists. Twenty students are selected to train with researchers in various programs including: molecular oncology; immunology; drug discovery; experimental therapeutics; risk assessment; detection and intervention; health outcomes and behavior; integrated mathematical oncology; biostatistics; bioinformatics; and investigative imaging.
Selection is based on demonstrated interest in research through prior experience, a written essay, academics and letters of recommendation. There is no cost to the student and a stipend is provided.
Potential applicants should note that participation represents a 10-week, 40-hour-per week commitment. Students unable to make this commitment should not apply. A health screening and orientation process also will be required. Internships can be completed any10 weeks between May 1 andAug. 31.
Application and program information are available on the SPARK website.
Completed applications and documentation must be received no later thanFeb. 15.
Questions can be sent to [email protected] or by contacting Evelyn Rivera-Miranda at 745-6767.
National Chemistry Week 2014
In 2014, we have sponsored three K-12 events for National Chemistry Week! UT students hosted an event at the Glazer Children's Museum. USF students worked with MOSI for an event called Chaotic Chemistry on October 25.
In our Section's third year of hosting the local contest for the ACS National Chemistry Week Illustrated Poetry Contest, we were pleased with the high quality of poems submitted by our students! Deciding on the winners was no easy task our judges. All of our winning poems will be posted on our K-12 Education page shortly.
We are very pleased to announce that 2nd grade student, Sam Lenz of Roosevelt Elementary School, won second place at the National level for his poem, "Candy Cane Chemistry" and he will receive a $150 prize from the ACS for his efforts. Congratulations to Sam and to his teacher Ms. Lani Rodriguez!
A special thank you to Dr. Laura Henchey at the University of Tampa for her efforts in organizing this year's contest.
In our Section's third year of hosting the local contest for the ACS National Chemistry Week Illustrated Poetry Contest, we were pleased with the high quality of poems submitted by our students! Deciding on the winners was no easy task our judges. All of our winning poems will be posted on our K-12 Education page shortly.
We are very pleased to announce that 2nd grade student, Sam Lenz of Roosevelt Elementary School, won second place at the National level for his poem, "Candy Cane Chemistry" and he will receive a $150 prize from the ACS for his efforts. Congratulations to Sam and to his teacher Ms. Lani Rodriguez!
A special thank you to Dr. Laura Henchey at the University of Tampa for her efforts in organizing this year's contest.
National Chemistry Week Event
We celebrated National Chemistry Week in style at the Glazer Children's Museum. On Sunday, October 27, 2013, University of Tampa student volunteers performed experiments and distributed education materials to families who stopped by.
Please see our news story by Tampa Bay Online!
A big THANK YOU to all of our volunteers who made the event a success!
Please see our news story by Tampa Bay Online!
A big THANK YOU to all of our volunteers who made the event a success!
Back by Student Demand! NCW Poetry Contest
The students have demanded it, so we hosted it! Its the 2103 National Chemistry Week Poetry Contest!
The theme for the contest was "Energy: Now and Forever!"
The local section's winners have been promoted to the national contest.
Our winners were Mia Cervetti of Collins Elementary in the 3-5 grade category, Jasmine Cox of Rodgers Middle School in the 6-8 grade category, and Bethany Berger of Armwood High School in the 9-12 grade category.
Thank you to all who have participated!
Congratulations and best of luck at Nationals to our Tampa Bay Local Section winners!
The theme for the contest was "Energy: Now and Forever!"
The local section's winners have been promoted to the national contest.
Our winners were Mia Cervetti of Collins Elementary in the 3-5 grade category, Jasmine Cox of Rodgers Middle School in the 6-8 grade category, and Bethany Berger of Armwood High School in the 9-12 grade category.
Thank you to all who have participated!
Congratulations and best of luck at Nationals to our Tampa Bay Local Section winners!
2013 SEED Updated
Congratulations to high school junior, Cameron McKenzie, and high school senior Monica Moore, who were featured the University of Tampa's newsletter, UT Life for their summer research with Professor Dean Martin.
Students, teachers, and professors who are interested in participating in the ACS Project SEED Program should contact Tampa Bay's SEED Coordinator, Prof. Martin, for more information.
Students, teachers, and professors who are interested in participating in the ACS Project SEED Program should contact Tampa Bay's SEED Coordinator, Prof. Martin, for more information.
Keeping Science in the Art of Medicine
LECOM-Bradenton has opened registration for the 2013 Medical Science Academy. Held Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 21, the program is for motivated rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school who are interested in the medical field. First and second year college students are also welcome. The cost is $275. The focus this year will be neuroanatomy.
Additionally, LECOM-Bradenton has opened registration for the 2013 Science Educators Academy. Running from Monday June 17 to Friday June 21, it is designed for high school science teachers who want expand their knowledge base. This year the course will use neuroanatomy cases to demonstrate why basic sciences are important to their high school students. The course will feature Professor Gerry Meisels of USF's Coalition for Science Literacy, as well as Professor Eric Ballard and Professor Dean Martin from the University of Tampa.
Additionally, LECOM-Bradenton has opened registration for the 2013 Science Educators Academy. Running from Monday June 17 to Friday June 21, it is designed for high school science teachers who want expand their knowledge base. This year the course will use neuroanatomy cases to demonstrate why basic sciences are important to their high school students. The course will feature Professor Gerry Meisels of USF's Coalition for Science Literacy, as well as Professor Eric Ballard and Professor Dean Martin from the University of Tampa.
2013 High School Chemistry Olympiad
The U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad and the International Chemistry Olympiad are multi-tiered competitions that bring together the world's most talented high school students to test their knowledge and skills in chemistry. Nations around the world conduct examinations to nominate the most high-performing students for the International Chemistry Olympiad.
Dr. Glenroy "Dean" Martin of the University of Tampa is the Regional Coordinator the the Tampa Bay Local Section. Together with the University of Tampa, Dr. Martin invited high school seniors to apply for the University of Tampa Academic Excellence Scholarship.
Tampa Bay Online prepared a video with the highlights from this year's Olympiad, and there is an article in the Tampa Tribune that describes the competition.
Dr. Glenroy "Dean" Martin of the University of Tampa is the Regional Coordinator the the Tampa Bay Local Section. Together with the University of Tampa, Dr. Martin invited high school seniors to apply for the University of Tampa Academic Excellence Scholarship.
Tampa Bay Online prepared a video with the highlights from this year's Olympiad, and there is an article in the Tampa Tribune that describes the competition.
Chemists Celebrate Earth Day
This year's theme is "Our Earth: Handle with Care!"
This year's focus was on the concepts of air, plants/ soil, water, and recycling.
Our section participated the K-12 National Illustrated Poetry Contest. Congratulations to Aldo Ortiz and Christine Von Staden, whose poems took first prize in our local section for the 6-8 and 9-12 categories, respectively.
Interested in hosting or participating in an outreach program to promote Earth Day 2014? Our local coordinator is waiting to hear from you!
This year's focus was on the concepts of air, plants/ soil, water, and recycling.
Our section participated the K-12 National Illustrated Poetry Contest. Congratulations to Aldo Ortiz and Christine Von Staden, whose poems took first prize in our local section for the 6-8 and 9-12 categories, respectively.
Interested in hosting or participating in an outreach program to promote Earth Day 2014? Our local coordinator is waiting to hear from you!
High School Teachers' Workshop
Focusing on improving the level of participation and performance in the local section and US National Chemistry Olympiad competitions, the Tampa Bay Local is teaming up again with Hillsborough County Public Schools in presenting the first Teachers' Workshop on this subject. AP and IB high school teachers from Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Manatee and Sarasota counties were invited to participate in our one day workshop held on Saturday, February 23 at the University of Tampa.
For a summary of the workshop, click here.
For a summary of the workshop, click here.
Middle School Chemistry Experiments
BIG IDEAS ABOUT THE VERY SMALL
Check out a new resource on the ACS website for Middle School lesson plans, workshops, and activities.
Teach students about the world of atoms and molecules with these free resources!
Check out a new resource on the ACS website for Middle School lesson plans, workshops, and activities.
Teach students about the world of atoms and molecules with these free resources!
High School Chemistry Teaching Guidelines
The ACS has released the latest edition of ACS Guidelines and Recommendations for Teaching High School Chemistry. This new book features strategies and considerations for teaching high school chemistry in the the modern day to all students. To find out more and gain access to download the guidelines for free visit the website!
Project Seed
Javier Narvaez, a recent graduate from Middleton High School in Tampa, was been selected to conduct a 10 week bio-organic research project in the department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics at The University of Tampa this summer 2012. He work ed under the direction of assistant professor Glenroy “Dean” Martin who is investigating the fungal biotransformation of bioactive natural products. Javier had worked the previous summer with Dr. Martin during his Project SEED Summer I program on a similar type project.
The American Chemical Society's (ACS) Project SEED Summer II program provides a $3,000 fellowship to an economically disadvantaged student to participate in summer research at an academic, government, or industrial laboratory. An important feature of the Project SEED program is its emphasis on career development and its motivation of students to pursue higher education in the natural sciences.
Dr. Martin has served as a mentor for Project SEED students for the past four years. Dr. Martin feels the program is worth the extra effort. He sees this as an opportunity to give back to the students as he supports them along their career paths. Javier was nominated last summer by his chemistry teacher Elaine Gibbs to do research with Project SEED and he is grateful to continue on with the experience in the summer II program.
The American Chemical Society's (ACS) Project SEED Summer II program provides a $3,000 fellowship to an economically disadvantaged student to participate in summer research at an academic, government, or industrial laboratory. An important feature of the Project SEED program is its emphasis on career development and its motivation of students to pursue higher education in the natural sciences.
Dr. Martin has served as a mentor for Project SEED students for the past four years. Dr. Martin feels the program is worth the extra effort. He sees this as an opportunity to give back to the students as he supports them along their career paths. Javier was nominated last summer by his chemistry teacher Elaine Gibbs to do research with Project SEED and he is grateful to continue on with the experience in the summer II program.