NCW 2025 -- The Hidden Life of Spices

National Chemistry Week (NCW) is a public outreach program of the American Chemical Society (ACS) that celebrates the role of chemistry in everyday life. The 2025 theme, The Hidden Life of Spices, explores how molecules give rise to flavor, aroma, and color—and how chemistry connects the kitchen, the lab, and the wider world.

The Southern Arizona Local Section (SAZACS) invites students in grades K–12 to enter the Illustrated Poem Contest. Create a short poem and illustration that showcase the chemistry of spices!

Contest Details

  • Deadline: October 24, 2025 (11:59 PM)
  • Eligibility: Students in grades K–12 within the Southern Arizona ACS Local Section
  • Prizes: $50 gift certificate for 1st place in each grade band (K–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12)
  • Submission: Upload your illustrated poem using the official Google Form (below)
  • Contact: Dr. Grażyna Zreda — [email protected]

Submit your illustrated poem using the official Google Form:

Click Here to Submit Your Entry »

Download Entry Form (PDF) »

Students must complete both the online form and the PDF entry form with a guardian’s signature.

Possible Topics

Chile Pepper Cinnamon Grains of Paradise Peppercorns Vanilla
  • Turmeric
  • Molecules
  • Capsaicin
  • Cinnamon
  • Aroma
  • Fragrance
  • Gingerol
  • Eugenol
  • Spices
  • Chili

Entries Will Be Judged On

  • Artistic merit — use of color, quality of drawing, design, and layout
  • Poem message — fun, motivational, and inspired by the yearly theme
  • Originality & creativity — unique, clever, and expressive design
  • Neatness — free of spelling and grammatical errors

Contest Rules

HAIKU – LIMERICK – ODE – ABC POEM – FREE VERSE – END RHYME – BLANK VERSE

  • All poems must be no more than 40 words, and in one of the following styles: Haiku, Limerick, Ode, ABC poem, Free verse, End rhyme, and Blank verse.
  • Entries are judged based upon relevance to and incorporation of the NCW theme, word choice and imagery, colorful artwork, adherence to poem style, originality and creativity, and overall presentation.
  • All entries must be original works without aid from others. Poems may be submitted by hand on an unlined sheet of paper not larger than 11” × 14” or scanned and sent electronically. Illustrations may be created using crayons, watercolors, other types of paint, colored pencils, or markers.
  • The illustration may also be electronically created using a digital painting or drawing app on a computer, tablet, or mobile device.
  • The text of the poem should be easy to read and may be typed before the hand-drawn or digital illustration is added, or the poem may be written on lined paper, which is cut out and pasted onto the unlined paper with the illustration.
  • No clipart or unoriginal images can be used (including AI/stock/clip art).
  • Only one entry per student will be accepted; all entries must include an entry form. If the illustration is created digitally, the name of the program must be included on the entry form.
  • All illustrated poems become the property of the American Chemical Society (ACS).
  • Acceptance of prizes constitutes consent to use winners’ names, likenesses, and entries for editorial, advertising, and publicity purposes.

Educational Resources

Explore age-appropriate activities and background reading from ACS:

Download the 2025 NCW Flyer Here: (PDF) »