2026 National Chemistry Week (NCW)
Illustrated Poem Contest — “Chemistry Under Construction”
Southern Arizona Local Section of the American Chemical Society
2026 National Chemistry Week
Illustrated Poem Contest: “Chemistry Under Construction”
National Chemistry Week celebrates the value of chemistry in everyday life. From concrete, steel, glass, and insulation to the materials shaping future cities, chemistry helps make the built world stronger, safer, more durable, and more sustainable. SAZACS invites K-12 students from Pima, Pinal, Graham, Cochise, and Yuma counties to explore this theme through an original illustrated poem.
NCW dates
October 18-24, 2026
Entry deadline
October 25, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Who may enter
Southern AZ (Pima, Pinal, Graham, Cochise and Yuma counties).
Local prizes
$75 first-place gift certificate in each grade category
Ready to submit?
Upload the illustrated poem and the completed entry form. A parent or guardian signature is required. Accepted artwork file formats are JPG, PNG, and PDF.
What to create
Write and illustrate a poem inspired by “Chemistry Under Construction.” The poem must be no more than 40 words and use one of the accepted styles below.
- Haiku
- Limerick
- Ode
- ABC poem
- Free verse
- End rhyme
- Blank verse
Possible topics
- Chemical reactions
- Molecules
- Copper
- Rust
- Adhesives
- Concrete
- Cement
- Insulation
- Metals
- Polymers
How entries will be judged
- Artistic merit: use of color, quality of drawing, design, and layout.
- Poem message: fun, motivational, and inspiring treatment of the yearly theme.
- Originality and creativity: a unique, clever, and creative design.
- Neatness: clear presentation without spelling or grammatical errors.
SAZACS will award a $75 gift certificate to the first-place winner in each grade category: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Local first-place winners advance to the ACS national contest. ACS lists national prizes of $300 for first place and $150 for second place in each grade category.
Contest rules
- Poems must be no more than 40 words and use one of the accepted poem styles listed above.
- Entries must clearly relate to and incorporate the 2026 theme, “Chemistry Under Construction.”
- All entries must be original work created without aid from others.
- Physical artwork may use crayons, watercolors, paint, colored pencils, or markers on unlined paper no larger than 11 by 14 inches.
- Digital illustrations may be created with a painting or drawing app. The program used must be named on the entry form.
- The poem must be easy to read. Typed text may be added to the illustration, or handwritten text may be cut out and attached.
- No clipart or unoriginal images may be used.
- Only one entry per student will be accepted.
- Students must be sponsored by a school or community group, such as a homeschool association, Boys and Girls Club, Scout troop, or 4-H.
- A completed entry form and parent or guardian permission and signature are required.
- Acceptance of a prize constitutes consent to use the winner's first name and entry for editorial, advertising, and publicity purposes.
Important: Use of AI in any form, including written or pictorial content, is strictly prohibited.
Flyer, entry form, and submission
Use these SAZACS materials for the local 2026 contest.
Learn more about construction chemistry
ACS provides a variety of resources to assist with the development of the posters. Please access the Educational Resources and General Interest Resources for the list of activities, videos, and scientific information.
2026 educational resources
Activities, lessons, articles, and videos related to construction materials.
Celebrating Chemistry: 2026 NCW
Construction-chemistry reading and activities for younger students.
General-interest resources
Construction-chemistry content for older students and adults.
Official ACS contest page
National contest rules, deadlines, and prize information.