Happy New Year. I’ve started another year as the Chair for the Silicon Valley local section. I thought I’d bring back the monthly chair’s message to add to the wonderful newsletter that Grace Baysinger assembles.
2026 is a big year for the American Chemical Society. On April 6, 1876, thirty-five chemists met at the College of Pharmacy of the City of New York to found the American Chemical Society. That makes 2026 ACS’ 150th Anniversary. There are multiple events plans for a year long celebration using a theme of “chemistry is everything.” There will be celebrations at the National meeting in Atlanta in March and in Chicago in August. And of course, there will be special events scheduled for the week of April 6. You can track the events and get involved at ACS150thAnniversary@acs.org or follow on social media #ACS150.
More locally, we are still discussing what we can do for this celebration. I’d welcome hearing any ideas you might have. We will definitely do something special at our summer picnic.
One of the programs that we participate in each spring is the US Chemistry Olympiad. This is a contest to identify the top high school chemistry students to represent the United States at the International Chemistry Olympiad. It is a challenging and grueling test program for the students. We select 14 students to participate in the National competition from approximately 350 students from the Silicon Valley section who take the qualifying exam. If you are interested in helping with the Chemistry Olympiad, please let me know (https://www.siliconvalleyacs.org/about/contact/).
I look forward to communicating with you throughout the year. It should be a good year for ACS and the Silicon Valley section.
Respectfully submitted
Natalie McClure
