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K-12 Illustrated Poem Contest

2026 National Chemistry Week

“Chemistry Under Construction”

Southern Arizona students in kindergarten through 12th grade from Pima, Pinal, Graham, Cochise, and Yuma counties are invited to combine chemistry, poetry, and original artwork for the 2026 SAZACS Illustrated Poem Contest.

Celebrate October 18-24, 2026

Submit by October 25, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Local prizes $75 first-place gift certificate in each grade category

Grade categories K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12

Full details and rules Submit an entry

A completed entry form with a parent or guardian signature must be submitted with the artwork.

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Victor J. Hruby Symposium

Join us in recognizing the scientific legacy of Professor Victor J. Hruby, a pioneer in peptide chemistry and drug design. Learn more about the symposium, program details, and participation options at the official symposium website.

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Now Open

2026 High School Chemistry Teaching Award

Nominations for the 2026 High School Teacher Award are now open.

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Now Open

2026 College Educator Award for Excellence in Teaching

Nominations for the 2026 College Educator Award are now open.

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2025 ACS Outreach Volunteer of the Year

Trina Shartsis

Trina Shartsis has been a dedicated contributor to our section’s Strategic Planning initiatives and continues to play an essential role in advancing our community’s goals. She has supported the section’s Women’s Chemistry Group, contributed to the SARSEF Science Fair, organized a Fun with Chemistry outreach event, and led donation efforts for EMERGE.

Learn more about this year’s exceptional #ACSVOTY recipients and their inspiring outreach work → Meet the honorees »

Join the 2026 U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO) Challenge!

Attention high school students with a passion for chemistry—here’s your chance to shine in the 2026 U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO)!

Hosted by the Southern Arizona Local Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS), this prestigious competition gives students an opportunity to test their chemistry knowledge, collaborate with peers, and compete nationally.

Local Competition Details

• Registration Opens: October 6, 2025
• Registration Deadline: January 31, 2026
• Local Exam Dates: February 27 – March 16, 2026

Questions? Contact Dr. Suchithranga M. D. C. Perera at [email protected] .

For official rules, practice materials, and national updates, visit the ACS USNCO page »

For full local details and registration info, visit our USNCO Information Page »

Congratulations to Our 2025 SAZACS Award Recipients!

College Educator Award 2025

Ms. Wendy Bebeck
Pima Community College

High School Chemistry Teacher Award 2025

Ms. Tiffany Newton
Andrada Polytechnic High School, Vail, AZ

Congratulations, Dr. Grazyna Zreda!

We are delighted to announce that Dr. Grazyna Zreda has been honored with the 2024 Rocky Mountain Regional E. Ann Nalley Volunteer Service to the American Chemical Society Award. This prestigious accolade recognizes her exceptional dedication and impactful volunteer contributions to the American Chemical Society and its mission.

Please join us in celebrating Dr. Zreda’s remarkable achievement and her commitment to fostering growth and excellence within the scientific community!

Exciting Opportunity for Female Chemists: Apply for the ACS WCC and Eli Lilly Travel Award!

We are thrilled to announce that the ACS Women Chemists Committee (WCC) and Eli Lilly and Company are sponsoring a program to provide funding for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral female chemists. This funding will enable them to travel to the  ACS Spring Meeting to present their research findings.

In addition to financial support, the WCC will host a poster session and offer several networking opportunities for the award recipients. These include the Women in the Chemical Enterprise Breakfast, the WCC Luncheon, and a special event sponsored by the ACS Office of the CEO. Through this program, WCC and Eli Lilly and Company aim to increase the participation of women in the chemical sciences.

For more information about the award, please visit here. All applications for the Travel Award for the ACS Fall 2024 Meeting must be submitted by Saturday, June 1, no later than 11:30 p.m. ET. Apply today!

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