The American Chemical Society's work in science education is carried out mainly by the
Education Division, which emphasizes formal education, and the Office of Public Outreach,
which emphasizes informal education and the involvement of scientists. Many of the ACS's
188 local sections also carry on a variety of independent educational activities.
A great deal of general information about the ACS is accessible through the ACS
Homepage.
Education Division. The Education Division has a 34-person full-time staff to
publish curricular materials, newsletters, magazines, career brochures, and assorted
science education policy guidelines. The staff also organizes competitions, teacher
inservice workshops, symposia, conferences, and continuing education courses. It produces
electronic, media-based educational products, including satellite TV seminars, videotapes,
and video and CD-ROM discs.
The Education Division has produced Project SEED, Operation Chemistry, FACETS, ChemCom,
and SciTeKS, as well as a wide variety of other projects focused on K-8 science,
high-school chemistry, college chemistry, continuing education, technician education, and
so on. The Education Division Website includes
information about all of these programs as well as about print publications, audio/visual
materials, and science teaching resources.
Office of Public Outreach. The Office of Public Outreach is responsible for
"Kids & Chemistry" and a variety of other programs, with particular emphasis
on programs involving scientist volunteers. The Public Outreach
Website is a source of information about many projects and programs. It has a long
list of educational materials, outreach programs for ACS member-volunteers, and resource
materials, for which members can immediately order information.
Local Sections. ACS has a strong central structure involved in many activities,
but it is also organized into 188 local sections, each of which has great autonomy and
many of which engage in a variety of activities.
Contacts.
Education Division:
Sylvia Ware, Director
Phone: 202-872-4388
e-mail: s_ware@acs.org
Office of Public Outreach
Ann Messmore, Director
Phone: 202-872-6293
e-mail: a_messmore@acs.org
