IL-IA Local Section of the American Chemical Society
Purpose
The IL-IA ACS Local Section is a professional organization of chemists in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. We are the local branch of the national ACS, which is the world's largest scientific society and one of the world's leading sources of authoritative scientific information.
Announcements
Join ACS on Thursday, December 5th at 12:00pm ET for our December Virtual Office Hour, 'Careers in Government.' This virtual, live, 90-minute session will provide an overview of the federal job landscape for chemists and information on how to navigate the federal job application process. The presentation will also explain the federal coding system for chemists and chemical engineers, and provide data about employment by geography, discipline, department, and agency to help participants match job opportunities with their experience, strengths, and values.
After attending this session, you will be able to:
Identify the types of jobs available to chemists with the federal government.
Find available job opportunities through a variety of sources.
Understand how to navigate the federal job application process.
The first half of the workshop will feature a presentation by an ACS Career Consultant, while the last half will allow participants the opportunity to ask questions and network in small breakout groups led by ACS Career Consultants.
Dorothy and Moses Passer Education Grants
Mission: The Fund grants for teachers at two- and four-year colleges or universities that do not have any advanced degree programs in the chemical sciences.
Vision: To provide support for faculty in small programs and who are somewhat isolated from others in their discipline. Eligible activities include professional development activities such as workshops related to enhancement of teaching skills that take the applicant away from his/her home institution. The professional development activities cannot be virtual. Due dates: January 1; April 1; September 1 of each year.
The limit for an individual award is $1,200.
The total amount awarded in a fiscal year is about $6,000.
Any exceptions to these limits must be approved by the Treasurer
Eligibility:
Applicants must be members of the Division of Chemical Education for at least 60 days prior to application.
Only for individuals not groups; applicant must teach chemistry or chemical technology as a full-time faculty member at an undergraduate 2- or 4-year US college that does not have a graduate program in chemical sciences.
Awards are for activities such as ACS short courses and professional development workshops. The fund does not support (among other things) registration for national, regional, or local meetings; the committee has interpreted this to mean that the fund cannot be used to support attendance at BCCE.
Great Lakes Regional Meeting
The Central Wisconsin and Northeast Wisconsin ACS Local Sections are thrilled to announce that the Great Lakes Regional Meeting (GLRM) 2025 is just around the corner! Mark your calendars for June 4 - 6, 2025 and get ready to join us in Appleton, WI for an event filled with insightful sessions, networking opportunities, and much more. This meeting will bring more than 400 chemists from industry, academia, and government sectors together
Stay tuned for more information on call for abstracts, registration, speakers, and the exciting agenda we have planned. You can find more information at the GLRM 2025 website. We can’t wait to see you at GLRM 2025
Undergraduate Research Conference Update
The Undergraduate Research Conference is being rescheduled for the Spring of 2025. A new date will be announced at the beginning of 2025.
September Event: GPC Tour
Where: Grain Processing Corporation at 1600 Oregon St, Muscatine, IA 52761. If using Google Maps, please use this link to navigate to the Visitor Entrance Gate.
When: Wednesday September 11, 6:30 pm
QCBC Discovery Bus Ribbon Cutting
The QCBC unveiled their new mobile laboratory: The Discovery Bus. The bus will allow the QCBC to take educational content to the community. The IL-IA ACS Section was one of the sponsors of the bus. Be on the lookout for the bus in the community and a chance for ACS members to visit the new lab this fall! See this video from KWQC for more information.
Demo Day at the Putnam
Where: Putnam Museum and Science Center in Davenport
When: Saturday, April 13, 2 - 4 pm
Join us at the Putnam Museum & Science Center for some fun with the kids. Local Section members will be performing chemistry demos at the Putnam! If you are interested in planning or performing demos, please contact Alan Abbott or illinoisiowaacs@gmail.com. All are welcome to join us for some chemistry for all ages.
Chemists Celebrate Earth Week (CCEW) magazines and supplies will also be available at the event.
The recording of our February event, "The Material History of Soap" presented by Dr. Julian Silverman is now available for viewing.
ACS JSilverman.mp4