National Chemistry Week (NCW) is a community-based annual event that unites ACS local sections, businesses, schools, and individuals in communicating the importance of chemistry to our quality of life. It takes place each fall, and the North Jersey Section annually conducts several activities as part of NCW.
Visit National Chemistry Week on Facebook 
Below is a listing of current & recent ChemExpo events held annually by NJACS in celebration of National Chemistry Week.
(Past Events)
Oct 15, 2022, Saturday – ChemExpo 2022
To celebrate National Chemistry Week 2022, the North Jersey Section will
ChemExpo 2022
At the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey
12:00 noon – 4 pm on Saturday, October 15, 2022
The North Jersey Section members of the American Chemical Society invite you to celebrate National Chemistry Week at Liberty Science Center where area chemists and college & high school teachers & students will provide hands-on activities for kids. This year’s theme is
“Fabulous Fibers: The Chemistry of Fabrics”
and prizes will be awarded to presenters from high school and college groups who compete for the best theme-related hands-on activities (keep reading for more details).
College and High School Competition!
College and University and High School students are invited to participate in the competition. Monetary prize(s) will be given to the group(s) that develop the best theme-related hands-on activity for the target audience and provide the best explanation of the science behind the activity. The 1st place school will win $250 and the 2nd place school will win $175.
The activities should be geared for 5 to 12 year olds. Check out the ACS National Chemistry Week Web Page to get some ideas for hands-on activities or reach out to SandraKKeyser@gmail.com to discuss! The Activity and Safety Guidelines and Judging Criteria are provided to help design hands-on activity for competition. Please register at
For More Information
Visit the
(Past Events)
National Chemistry Week – Oct 17-23, 2021
To celebrate National Chemistry Week 2021, the North Jersey Section will host the following two community-based events:
- NCW Illustrated Poem Contest
- ChemExpo 2021
The events are geared to unite the North Jersey Section of ACS, local schools, businesses, and individuals to communicate the role of chemistry in our life to the community.
NCW Illustrated Poem Contest for Grades K-12
Submission deadline: Friday, October 22, 2021
Contact & submissions: Bettyann Howson (bhowson@njacs.org)
Each school may submit up to three entries for each Grade Category (K-2; 3-5; 6-8; 9-12).
Showcase your talents and win money and recognition within our section and national ACS. First place winners in our North Jersey Section contest will become candidates for national prizes and national recognition. Please read the
Attach this
For samples of recent winning entries see:
For samples of recent winning entries see:
ChemExpo 2021
10:30 am – 3 pm on Saturday, October 23, 2021
at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey
The North Jersey Section members of the American Chemical Society invite you to celebrate National Chemistry Week at Liberty Science Center on Saturday, October 23, 2021, from 10:30 am to 3 pm where area chemists, college and high school teachers and students will provide hands-on activities for kids. This year’s theme is
High School Competition!
High school students in the area are invited to participate in the competition for details see
College Competition!
ACS student chapters and / or Chemistry Clubs at colleges and universities in the area are invited to participate in the competition. For details see Call for College Students . Cash prizes will be given to the groups who develop theme-related hands-on activities for the audience and provides the best explanation of the science behind the activity. The activities should be geared for 5 to 12 year olds. Check out the
Volunteers are needed!
The success of ChemExpo depends on members of NJ-ACS assisting at LSC on the day of the event and various groups presenting activities. More info in this
If you can help, please register at
Sponsors are needed!
The North Jersey Section is seeking corporate sponsorship for its 27th ChemExpo activities. To sponsor please use
Visit the
For More Information
Visit the
Younger Chemists Committee (YCC)
If you are a member of YCC, please note that YCC may be organizing some of the ChemExpo demos and may be seeking volunteers. Please contact your YCC leadership for details and sign-ups.
(Past Events)
National Chemistry Week – Oct 20-26, 2019
To celebrate National Chemistry Week 2019, the North Jersey Section will host the following two community-based events:
- NCW Illustrated Poem Contest
- ChemExpo 2019
The events are geared to unite the North Jersey Section of ACS, local schools, businesses, and individuals to communicate the role of chemistry in our life to the community.
NCW Illustrated Poem Contest for Grades K-12
Deadline: Thursday, October 3, 2019
Showcase your talents and win money and recognition within our section and national ACS. First place winners in our North Jersey Section contest will become candidates for national prizes and national recognition. Please read the
Attach this
For samples of recent winning entries see:
ChemExpo 2019
10:30 am – 3 pm on Saturday, October 19, 2019
at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey
The North Jersey Section members of the American Chemical Society invite you to celebrate National Chemistry Week at Liberty Science Center on Saturday, October 19, 2019, from 10:30 am – 3 pm where area chemists, college and high school teachers and students will provide hands-on activities for kids. This year’s theme is Marvelous Metals. Prizes will be awarded to presenters from college and high school groups who compete for the best activities pertaining to the theme, “Marvelous Metals” (Details below).
High School Competition!
High school students in the area are invited to participate in the competition for details see
College Competition!
ACS student chapters and / or Chemistry Clubs at colleges and universities in the area are invited to participate in the competition. For details see Call for College Students . Cash prizes will be given to the groups who develop theme-related hands-on activities for the audience and provides the best explanation of the science behind the activity. The activities should be geared for 5 to 12 year olds. Check out the
Volunteers are needed!
The success of ChemExpo depends on members of NJ-ACS assisting at LSC on the day of the event and various groups presenting activities.
Please register at
Sponsors are needed!
The North Jersey Section is seeking corporate sponsorship for its 2019 ChemExpo activities. To sponsor please use
Visit the
For More Information
Visit the
Younger Chemists Committee (YCC)
If you are a member of YCC, please note that YCC is organizing some of the ChemExpo demos and are seeking volunteers. Please see the
(Past Events)
Oct 20, 2018 – ChemExpo / National Chemistry Week
National Chemistry Week is October 21-27, 2018. It is a community-based annual event that unites ACS local sections, businesses, schools, and individuals in communicating the importance of chemistry to our quality of life. It takes place each fall, and the North Jersey Section annually conducts several activities as part of NCW, including its annual ChemExpo event at Liberty Science Center.
This year’s theme, “Chemistry is Out of This World”, focuses on space chemistry.
NCW Illustrated Poem Contest-2018 for Grades K-12
Deadline: Thursday, October 1, 2018
Showcase your talents and win money and recognition within our section and national ACS. First place winners in our North Jersey Section contest will become candidates for national prizes and national recognition. Please read the
Attach this
ChemExpo 2018 – Saturday, October 20, 2018 (10 am – 2 pm)
The North Jersey Section’s ChemExpo event for NCW 2018 includes hands-on chemistry activities for kids focused on the theme “Chemistry is Out of This World“, conducted by area chemists, college and high school chemistry teachers and students. It will take place at at Liberty Science Center (LSC) on Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Please circulate and post this
Volunteers are needed!
The success of ChemExpo depends on members of NJ-ACS assisting at LSC on the day of the event and various groups presenting activities.
Please register at
Sponsors are needed!
The North Jersey Section is seeking corporate sponsorship for its 2018 ChemExpo activities. If you think your employer might be able to help, please use this form
Visit the ACS National Chemistry Week page on !
High School Competition!
High school students in the area are invited to participate in the competition
College Competition!
ACS student chapters at colleges and universities in the area are invited
For More Information
Visit the National Chemistry Week webpage at the ACS website, or contact Co-Chairs Mita Chaki (mitachaki@gmail.com) and Monica Sekharan (monicasekharan@gmail.com).
Younger Chemists Committee (YCC)
If you are a member of YCC, please note that YCC is organizing some of the ChemExpo demos and are seeking volunteers. Please see the
(Past Events)
Oct 21, 2017 – ChemExpo / National Chemistry Week
National Chemistry Week is October 22-28, 2017. It is a community-based annual event that unites ACS local sections, businesses, schools, and individuals in communicating the importance of chemistry to our quality of life. It takes place each fall, and the North Jersey Section annually conducts several activities as part of NCW.
This year’s theme, “Chemistry Rocks!”, focuses on the chemistry of rocks and minerals.
NCW Illustrated Poem Contest-2017 for Grades K-12
Deadline November 1, 2017
Showcase your talents and win money and recognition within our section and national ACS. First place winners in our North Jersey Section contest will become candidates for national prizes and national recognition. Please read the
ChemExpo 2017 – Saturday, October 21, 2017 (10 am – 2 pm)
The North Jersey Section’s ChemExpo event for NCW 2017 includes hands-on chemistry activities for kids focused on the theme “Chemistry of rocks and minerals“, conducted by area chemists, college and high school chemistry teachers and students. It will take place at at Liberty Science Center (LSC) on Saturday, October 21 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Please circulate and post
Volunteers are needed!
The success of ChemExpo depends on members of NJ-ACS assisting at LSC on the day of the event and various groups presenting activities. Please complete and submit the
Sponsors are needed!
The North Jersey Section is seeking corporate sponsorship for its 2017 ChemExpo activities. If you think your employer might be able to help, please use this form
Visit National Chemistry Week on Facebook !
—- The activities below are to be confirmed —-
Announcing a High School Competition!
A $100 cash prize will be given to the high school group that develops a great theme-related hands-on activity for the audience of young people and provides the best explanation of the science behind the activity. See this
Announcing a College Competition!
This year, ACS Student Chapters at Colleges and Universities in the area are invited to prepare demonstrations for school kids, and to compete for cash prizes for the best demonstrations, in the Sister Marian José Smith Undergraduate Outreach Competition. First prize is $175 and second prize is $75.
- The winning Student Chapter will also receive the title of “National Chemistry Week Undergraduate Student Chapter 2017″
- Student Chapters must register by October 1 in order to participate. To register send an email to Claire Miller at cmiller07940@yahoo.com
- Please circulate this
[ Call for Student Participation flyer ] to generate interest among students.
For More Information
Visit the National Chemistry Week website at the ACS website, or contact Co-Chairs Mita Chaki and Monica Sekharan.
Younger Chemists Committee (YCC)
If you are a member of YCC, please note that YCC is organizing some of the ChemExpo demos and are seeking volunteers. Please see the
(Past Events)
Oct 22, 2016 – NCW – National Chemistry Week
National Chemistry Week is October 16-22, 2016. It is a community-based annual event that unites ACS local sections, businesses, schools, and individuals in communicating the importance of chemistry to our quality of life. It takes place each fall, and the North Jersey Section annually conducts several activities as part of NCW.
This year’s theme, “Solving Mysteries through Chemistry”, focuses on the chemistry of forensics and more.
NCW Illustrated Poem Contest-2016 for Grades K-12
Deadline October 21, 2016
Showcase your talents and win money and recognition within our section and national ACS. First place winners in our North Jersey Section contest will become candidates for national prizes and national recognition. Please read the
ChemExpo 2016
Saturday, October 22, 2016 (10 am – 2 pm)
[ Retrospective ]
The North Jersey Section’s ChemExpo event for NCW 2016 includes hands-on chemistry activities for kids focused on the theme “Solving Mysteries through Chemistry“, conducted by area chemists, college and high school chemistry teachers and students. It will take place at at Liberty Science Center (LSC) on Saturday, October 22 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Please circulate and post
Volunteers are needed!
The success of ChemExpo depends on members of NJ-ACS assisting at LSC on the day of the event and various groups presenting activities. Please complete and submit the
Sponsors are needed!
The North Jersey Section is seeking corporate sponsorship for its 2016 ChemExpo activities. If you think your employer might be able to help, please use this form
—- The activities below are to be confirmed —-
Announcing a High School Competition!
A $100 cash prize will be given to the high school group that develops a great theme-related hands-on activity for the audience of young people and provides the best explanation of the science behind the activity. See this
Announcing a College Competition!
This year, ACS Student Chapters at Colleges and Universities in the area are invited to prepare demonstrations for school kids, and to compete for cash prizes for the best demonstrations, in the Sister Marian José Smith Undergraduate Outreach Competition. First prize is $175 and second prize is $75.
- The winning Student Chapter will also receive the title of “National Chemistry Week Undergraduate Student Chapter 2016″
- Student Chapters must register by October 1 in order to participate. To register send an email to Claire Miller at cmiller07940@yahoo.com
- Please circulate this
[ Call for Student Participation flyer ] to generate interest among students.
For More Information
Visit the National Chemistry Week website at the ACS website, or contact Co-Chairs Mita Chaki and Monica Sekharan.
Younger Chemists Committee (YCC)
If you are a member of YCC, please note that YCC is organizing some of the ChemExpo demos and are seeking volunteers. Please see the
(Past Events)
Oct 17, 2015 – NCW – National Chemistry Week
National Chemistry Week 2015 took place from October 18 to 24
The year’s theme, “Chemistry Colors Our World”, focused on the chemistry of food colors and fireworks, rainbows, natural dyes and pigments, and more.
The North Jersey Section conducted several activities as part of NCW:
(Past Events)
Oct 18, 2014 – NCW – National Chemistry Week – ChemExpo 2014
ChemExpo 2014
National Chemistry Week (NCW) 2014 was October 18-25, 2014. The theme is
ChemExpo 2014 Wrap-Up
This year’s ChemExpo event was a big success! Many thanks to all volunteers! A write-up with photos is here
(Past Events)
Oct 26, 2013 – NCW – National Chemistry Week 2013
ChemExpo 2013
National Chemistry Week (NCW) 2013 was October 20-26, 2013. The theme was
The North Jersey Section’s ChemExpo event for NCW 2013 included hands-on chemistry activities for kids presented by area chemists, college and high school chemistry teachers and students. It took place at at Liberty Science Center (LSC) on Saturday, October 26 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Please circulate and post this flyer to invite visitors.
2013 Illustrated Poetry Contest – for students in grades K-12
For More Information
Visit the National Chemistry Week website at the ACS website.
Latest News
2021 Baekeland Award
The North Jersey Section of the American Chemical Society will award the 2021 Leo Hendrik Baekeland Award on May 12, 2022, to Dr Prashant K. Jain.
The Section presents the Award biennially to commemorate the technical and industrial achievements of Leo Hendrik Baekeland and to encourage younger chemists to emulate his example.
Message From Justyna Sikorska
It is a great honor to serve as Chair for 2023. I look forward to leading this incredible and diverse group of volunteers . . . My goals for 2023 start with supporting our diverse topical groups and committees in organizing exciting seminars . . .
