CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER! Nora Walsh, a chemistry teacher at FJ Reitz High School in Evansville, Indiana, has won the AACT High School Chemistry Teacher of the Year! Learn more about her »
LAST CHANCE - SUMMER CONTENT WRITING TEAM: TINY MATTERS LESSONS We are hosting a content writing team for teachers of chemistry this summer! The contest is open to current AACT members. Participants will submit their ideas for exciting and unique lesson plans related to select episodes of the ACS podcast Tiny Matters. Teachers interested in this opportunity may submit lesson plan ideas for one or more podcast episode(s) for consideration. Selected participants will earn $600 per completed lesson plan. Submit your lesson plan idea through the application form below by June 16. Learn more and submit your lesson »
FREE CLASSROOM POSTERS: CHEMICAL TECHNICAL PROFESSIONALS We are pleased to share 15 engaging posters for the high school chemistry classroom showcasing various career pathways in the chemical sciences available to students. For a limited time, teachers can place a mail order for select complimentary printed posters! View and order now »
PUZZLES AND GAMES COLLECTION This collection of resources highlights activities that are designed as chemistry themed puzzles and games. This includes a wide variety of challenging and fun activities related to many chemistry topics. View the resources »
Our Symposia Series will be announcned soon! Mark your calendar for the week of July 14. Missed a webinar from this past school year? Members can view past webinars in the archive »
Are you attending ChemEd in July? The schedule of sessions we're hosting will be released soon. We hope to see you there! Learn more about ChemEd »
REGISTER FOR THE CHEMCLUB PROGRAM! Do you sponsor an extracurricular chemistry-focused club at your middle or high school? If so, register your club to be a chartered ChemClub! As a chartered club, you'll have access to exclusive content for after-school activities, qualify for grant funding, participate in contests, and connect with other clubs. ChemClubs that successfully register by July 10 will receive a package of ChemClub goodies to your school mailing address on file! Register now »
APPLY FOR THE SCIENCE COACHES PROGRAM Applications are open for the 2025–2026 Science Coaches program! Teachers and coaches from all states and territories in the US are encouraged to apply! Teachers, apply now for the opportunity to collaborate throughout the school year with a chemistry professional who can help you bring chemistry to life for your students. If selected, you will receive a $550 gift certificate for Flinn Scientific to enhance your science classroom. K–12 teachers of science and chemistry are eligible to participate. Visit the ScienceCoaches page to learn more about program benefits and requirements. Apply now »
Are you a chemistry professional who would like to volunteer as a coach? Apply here »
ACS NAMES 2025 CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD STUDY CAMP STUDENTS 20 student finalists have been selected to participate in the 2025 Chemistry Olympiad Study Camp as part of the American Chemical Society’s (USNCO) program. The camp will be held June 2–13 at the University of Maryland, College Park. Camp attendees will compete for a place on Team USA, whose members will represent the US at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad. Participants in the study camp will be instructed and guided by the faculty of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry of the University of Maryland, College Park, as well as the following mentors: Songwen Xie, college mentor Borislava Bekker, and high school mentors Komal Jain and Steve Lantos. The finalists' names, school, and local section are posted on the USNCO website and featured in an article on C&EN.
NCW LESSON PLAN CONTEST - EARN $200! We are looking for teachers to submit an idea for an exciting and unique National Chemistry Week (NCW) themed lesson plan. The upcoming 2025 theme is "Spices: The Hidden Life of Spices." Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis. AACT will select winning lesson plan ideas that are appropriate for elementary science, middle school science, or high school chemistry. Winning lessons will be published in the AACT Classroom Resource Library and featured on social media. All winners will earn a $200 gift card and a NCW goody bag for their participation! Submit your idea by September 1. Learn more and submit your lesson »
WRITE FOR CHEMISTRY SOLUTIONS! Write for a future issue of Chemistry Solutions! Share your story with us, and the editorial team will work with you on creating an article. Submit your idea »
AACT MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: IMAN ELHUSSEINI Every month we feature a passionate member dedicated to enhancing chemistry inside and outside the classroom. This month, we spotlight Iman Elhusseini, a chemistry teacher at Emirates School Establishment in the The United Arab Emirates. Read now »
ASK US YOUR TEACHING QUESTION! What's on your mind? Submit your teaching questions and classroom woes to Dear Labby, our Chemistry Solutions advice column. If selected, one of our teaching experts will respond in a future issue. Ask now »
SUBMIT YOUR AP CHEMISTRY TEACHING RESOURCES AP chemistry teaching resources are an important member benefit of AACT. Currently we are looking for new and unique ideas related to select AP Topics and Learning Objectives to help grow the AP section of the AACT classroom resource library. This summer, we invite you to submit an original AP chemistry teaching resource idea related to the following topics:
Earn a $200 gift card upon selection and submission completion! Learn more »
EARN $200 FOR A TEACHING RESOURCE Are you using a unique lesson plan, lab, activity, or project in your classroom this year? Share an overview of it with us for the opportunity to publish it in our Classroom Resource Library and earn a $200 gift card! View the submission form for full details.
SAFER SCIENCE™ SUMMITS 2025 The K-12 STEAM Safer Science Summit is a free immersive event focused on enhancing the understanding of government and state lab safety regulations and the compliance with and implementation of safety protocols within STEAM education environments. Learn more about a summit near you.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR BCCE 2026 The 29th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education will be held on the lakeside campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison July 26-30, 2026. The conference, like all of its predecessors, provides the chemistry education community with opportunities to interact and engage. The conference will be a mixture of symposia, workshops, poster sessions, exhibits, and spaces for both formal and informal conversations.
EXPLORE CHEMISTRY CAREERS WITH THE CHEMICAL TECHNICAL PROFESSIONALS CAREER QUIZ Help your students discover exciting chemistry-related careers that don’t require a four-year degree! The Chemical Technical Professionals Career Quiz introduces students to a variety of skilled technical workforce (STW) jobs that use STEM knowledge in hands-on ways. Pair the quiz with our new Careers in the Skilled Technical Workforce classroom activity, where students explore career options through articles, videos, and career websites while reflecting on their own goals. Check out this engaging resource and inspire your students to explore new career paths!
NOT AN AACT MEMBER? JOIN TODAY! Like the newsletter but not a member? It's never too late to join! Gain access to more than 1,100 classroom resources, a library of professional learning webinars, subscriptions to ChemMatters magazine and Chemistry Solutions, and more.
Teaching Chemistry through Art In this article, the author shares how combining art and chemistry through culturally relevant lesson plans increased student engagement. She reflects on the chemistry concepts covered, the unit’s structure, and the impact on her students.
AACT MEMBERS: ELECTION INFO COMING SOON!
Reflecting Back and Looking Ahead AACT President Martin Palermo advises fellow teachers to spend their summer reclaiming their time, reflecting on their experiences, connecting with their purpose, building a support network, setting boundaries, and fostering curiosity to reignite engagement.
Dear Labby: Supporting Future Scientists A high school chemistry teacher searches for resources to support students who want to pursue careers in science, without an undergraduate degree.
Guess What: Compounds In this game, students will use their knowledge of the different types of elements and the compounds they can form to guess the computer opponent’s mystery compound before the computer can identify their compound.
AACT SEEKING SYMPOSIUM MODERATORS AND SPEAKERS We are seeking volunteers for our summer symposium! Moderators will work with AACT staff to draft potential presenters and host a 3-hour session. Speakers will be given 20 minutes to share a particular resource related to the a to-be-determined theme. If you would like to volunteer, note that the symposia will take place during the week of July 17. Email [email protected] for more information!
POST-AP & END OF YEAR RESOURCES Looking for something to engage your students after the AP Exam or an end-of-year activity? Try one of the below and check out our full list of Post-AP Exam resources.
WRITE FOR CHEMISTRY SOLUTIONS! Write for a future issue of Chemistry Solutions! Share your story with us, and the editorial team will work with you on creating an article. Submit your idea »
UPCOMING WEBINARS
May 22, 7 PM ET Triple the Tricks: 3 Easy Ways to Master Metric Conversions! Dive into stoichiometry and conversions with an overview of tips and techniques that simplify teaching significant figures and scientific notation, including the rules for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division! Shirley Vides will present three different methods of conversion, followed by a more in-depth look at her Metric Conversion Ladder handout. Ideas for lesson plans will be shared with attendees. Register »
Missed a webinar? Members can view past webinars in the archive »
APPLY FOR THE SCIENCE COACHES PROGRAM Applications are open for the 2025–2026 Science Coaches program! Teachers and coaches from all states and territories in the US are encouraged to apply! Teachers, apply now for the opportunity to collaborate throughout the school year with a chemistry professional who can help you bring chemistry to life for your students. If selected, you will receive a $550 gift certificate for Flinn Scientific to enhance your science classroom. K–12 teachers of science and chemistry are eligible to participate. Visit the Science Coaches page to learn more about program benefits and requirements. Apply now »
Are you a chemistry professional who would like to volunteer as a coach? Apply here »
SUMMER CONTENT WRITING TEAM: TINY MATTERS LESSONS We are hosting a content writing team for teachers of chemistry this summer! The contest is open to current AACT members. Participants will submit their ideas for exciting and unique lesson plans related to select episodes of the ACS podcast Tiny Matters. Teachers interested in this opportunity may submit lesson plan ideas for one or more podcast episode(s) for consideration. Selected participants will earn $600 per completed lesson plan. Submit your lesson plan idea through the application form below by June 16. Learn more and submit your lesson »
NCW LESSON PLAN CONTEST - EARN $200! We are looking for teachers to submit an idea for an exciting and unique National Chemistry Week (NCW) themed lesson plan. The upcoming 2025 theme is "Spices: The Hidden Life of Spices." Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis. AACT will select winning lesson plan ideas that are appropriate for elementary science, middle school science, or high school chemistry. Winning lessons will be published in the AACT Classroom Resource Library and featured on social media. All winners will earn a $200 gift card and a NCW goody bag for their participation! Submit your idea by September 1. Learn more and submit your lesson »
LAST CHANCE TO APPLY FOR AN ACS-HACH HIGH SCHOOL CHEMISTRY CLASSROOM GRANT Need funding to enhance your chemistry classroom? The ACS-Hach High School Chemistry Classroom Grant provides up to $1,800 to support innovative teaching ideas, lab equipment, instructional materials, professional development, and student field studies. Since 2008, over 700 high school chemistry teachers have received funding to bring engaging chemistry experiences to their students. Applications for the 2025-2026 school year close June 1. Learn more »
AACT MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: SCOTT HAWKINS Every month we feature a passionate member dedicated to enhancing chemistry inside and outside the classroom. This month, we spotlight Scott Hawkins, a chemistry teacher at St. Ignatius High School in Ohio. Read now »
POPULAR RESOURCES FOR TEACHING KINETICS Check out our featured resources for teachers working on an Kinetics unit plan. Use this news post as a guide to try something new!
ASK US YOUR TEACHING QUESTION! What's on your mind? Submit your teaching questions and classroom woes to Dear Labby, our Chemistry Solutions advice column. If selected, one of our teaching experts will respond in a future issue. Ask now »
SUBMIT YOUR AP CHEMISTRY TEACHING RESOURCES AP chemistry teaching resources are an important member benefit of AACT. Currently we are looking for new and unique ideas related to select AP Topics and Learning Objectives to help grow the AP section of the AACT classroom resource library. This month, we invite you to submit an original AP chemistry teaching resource idea related to the following topics:
7.11: Introduction to Solubility Equilibria
7.12: Common-Ion Effect
8.1: Introduction to Acids and Bases
8.6: Molecular Structure of Acids and Bases
9.2: Absolute Entropy and Entropy Change
9.6: Free Energy of Dissolution
Earn a $200 gift card upon selection and submission completion! Learn more »
EARN $200 FOR A TEACHING RESOURCE Are you using a unique lesson plan, lab, activity, or project in your classroom this year? Share an overview of it with us for the opportunity to publish it in our Classroom Resource Library and earn a $200 gift card! View the submission form for full details.
SAFER SCIENCE™ SUMMITS 2025 The K-12 STEAM Safer Science Summit is a free immersive event focused on enhancing the understanding of government and state lab safety regulations and the compliance with and implementation of safety protocols within STEAM education environments. Learn more about a summit near you.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR BCCE 2026 The 29th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education will be held on the lakeside campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison July 26-30, 2026. The conference, like all of its predecessors, provides the chemistry education community with opportunities to interact and engage. The conference will be a mixture of symposia, workshops, poster sessions, exhibits, and spaces for both formal and informal conversations.
EXPLORE CHEMISTRY CAREERS WITH THE CHEMICAL TECHNICAL PROFESSIONALS CAREER QUIZ Help your students discover exciting chemistry-related careers that don’t require a four-year degree! The Chemical Technical Professionals Career Quiz introduces students to a variety of skilled technical workforce (STW) jobs that use STEM knowledge in hands-on ways. Pair the quiz with our new Careers in the Skilled Technical Workforce classroom activity, where students explore career options through articles, videos, and career websites while reflecting on their own goals. Check out this engaging resource and inspire your students to explore new career paths!
NOT AN AACT MEMBER? JOIN TODAY! Like the newsletter but not a member? It's never too late to join! Gain access to more than 1,100 classroom resources, a library of professional learning webinars, subscriptions to ChemMatters magazine and Chemistry Solutions, and more.
AACT - April 2025 NEWS
IN THE APRIL ISSUE OF CHEMMATTERS MAGAZINE
The April issue of ChemMatters Magazine is all about glaciers!
Celebrate CCEW the week of April 20–26 with the theme “Glaciers: Hot Topic, Cool Chemistry!” This year’s topic of glaciers reflects the United Nations’ designation of 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. Glaciers play a crucial role in regulating the global climate, providing a source of freshwater, shaping landscapes, preserving clues about Earth’s climate history, and more!
Applications for the AACT Teacher of the Year are open! There are two awards: The AACT K–8 Science Teacher of the Year and the AACT High School Chemistry Teacher of the Year. Each winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize and a complimentary AACT membership renewal. Apply by April 25. Learn more »
AACT GOVERNING BOARD SELF-NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
Do you want to get more involved with AACT and the chemistry education community? Nominate yourself for one of the following positions:
President-Elect
Committee Representative
High School Ambassador
Middle School Ambassador
Elementary School Ambassador
Self-nominations will close April 28. Learn more »
ASK US YOUR TEACHING QUESTION!
What's on your mind? Submit your teaching questions and classroom woes to Dear Labby, our Chemistry Solutions advice column. If selected, one of our teaching experts will respond in a future issue. Ask now »
POPULAR RESOURCES FOR TEACHING ACIDS AND BASES
Check out our featured resources for teachers working on an Acids and Bases unit plan.
APPLY FOR THE SCIENCE COACHES PROGRAM!
Applications are open for the 2025–2026 Science Coaches program! Teachers and coaches from all states and territories in the US are encouraged to apply! Teachers, apply now for the opportunity to collaborate throughout the school year with a chemistry professional who can help you bring chemistry to life for your students. If selected, you will receive a $550 gift certificate for Flinn Scientific to enhance your science classroom. K–12 teachers of science and chemistry are eligible to participate. Visit the Science Coaches page to learn more about program benefits and requirements. Apply now »
Are you a chemistry professional who would like to volunteer as a coach? Apply here »
AACT MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: SHANNON SMITH
Every month we feature a passionate member dedicated to enhancing chemistry inside and outside the classroom. This month, we spotlight Shannon Smith, a chemistry teacher at The Summit Country Day School in Ohio. Read now »
UPCOMING WEBINARS
April 10, 7 PM ET Using Google Sheets and GIFs to Enhance Chemistry Instruction
This webinar will give an overview of different lessons and activities that use conditional formatting in Google Sheets to explore introductory chemistry. Register » April 17, 7 PM ET Info Session with Q&A: AACT Governance Positions and Awards
Each spring, AACT opens up applications for governing board positions and the teacher of the year award. Elliot Richman, Nominating & Awards Committee Representative, and Amiee Modic, President-Elect, will share with you some basic information and tips about the applications and answer any questions you have! Register »
May 1, 7 PM ET Moving from Description to Explanation with Molecular Level Visualization and the VisChem Approach
In this webinar you will briefly experience the VisChem Approach, learn how it is used in secondary chemistry classrooms, join the VisChem community of practice, and access a searchable hub of free resources that support the use of dynamic, molecular-level visualizations. Register »
May 22, 7 PM ET Triple the Tricks: 3 Easy Ways to Master Metric Conversions!
Dive into stoichiometry and conversions with an overview of tips and techniques that simplify teaching significant figures and scientific notation, including the rules for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division! Shirley Vides will present three different methods of conversion, followed by a more in-depth look at her Metric Conversion Ladder handout. Ideas for lesson plans will be shared with attendees. Register »
NCW LESSON PLAN CONTEST - EARN $200! We're excited to offer a content writing opportunity for K–12 teachers of chemistry! Participants will submit an idea for an exciting and unique National Chemistry Week (NCW) themed lesson plan. The upcoming 2025 theme is "Spices: The Hidden Life of Spices." Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis. AACT will select winning lesson plan ideas that are appropriate for elementary science, middle school science, or high school chemistry. Winning lessons will be published in the AACT Classroom Resource Library and featured on social media. All winners will earn a $200 gift card and a NCW goody bag for their participation! Submit your idea by September 1. Learn more and submit your lesson »
WRITE FOR CHEMISTRY SOLUTIONS! Write for a future issue of Chemistry Solutions! Share your story with us, and the editorial team will work with you on creating an article. Submit your idea »
SUBMIT YOUR AP CHEMISTRY TEACHING RESOURCES AP chemistry teaching resources are an important member benefit of AACT. Currently we are looking for new and unique ideas related to select AP Topics and Learning Objectives to help grow the AP section of the AACT classroom resource library. This month, we invite you to submit an original AP chemistry teaching resource idea related to the following topics:
7.11: Introduction to Solubility Equilibria
7.12: Common-Ion Effect
8.1: Introduction to Acids and Bases
8.6: Molecular Structure of Acids and Bases
9.2: Absolute Entropy and Entropy Change
9.6: Free Energy of Dissolution
Earn a $200 gift card upon selection and submission completion! Learn more »
EARN $200 FOR A TEACHING RESOURCE Are you using a unique lesson plan, lab, activity, or project in your classroom this year? Share an overview of it with us for the opportunity to publish it in our Classroom Resource Library and earn a $200 gift card! View the submission form full details.
SAFER SCIENCE™ SUMMITS 2025 The K-12 STEAM Safer Science Summit is a free immersive event focused on enhancing the understanding of government and state lab safety regulations and the compliance with and implementation of safety protocols within STEAM education environments. Learn more about a summit near you.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR BCCE 2026 The 29th BCCE will be held on the lakeside campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison July 26-30, 2026. The conference, like all of its predecessors, provides the chemistry education community with opportunities to interact and engage. The conference will be a mixture of symposia, workshops, poster sessions, exhibits, and spaces for both formal and informal conversations.
APPLY FOR AN ACS-HACH HIGH SCHOOL CHEMISTRY CLASSROOM GRANT Need funding to enhance your chemistry classroom? The ACS-Hach High School Chemistry Classroom Grant provides up to $1,800 to support innovative teaching ideas, lab equipment, instructional materials, professional development, and student field studies. Since 2008, over 700 high school chemistry teachers have received funding to bring engaging chemistry experiences to their students. Applications for the 2025-2026 school year close June 1. Learn more »
EXPLORE CHEMISTRY CAREERS WITH THE CHEMICAL TECHNICAL PROFESSIONALS CAREER QUIZ Help your students discover exciting chemistry-related careers that don’t require a four-year degree! The Chemical Technical Professionals Career Quiz introduces students to a variety of skilled technical workforce (STW) jobs that use STEM knowledge in hands-on ways. Pair the quiz with our new Careers in the Skilled Technical Workforce classroom activity, where students explore career options through articles, videos, and career websites while reflecting on their own goals. Check out this engaging resource and inspire your students to explore new career paths!
