The SFU Chemistry Club received the “Outstanding Student Chapter” Award from the American Chemical Society and the “Green Chemistry” Award from the Green Chemistry Institute for the 2022-23 academic year.
The “Outstanding Student Chapter” Award is presented to the top 25% of student chapters nationwide. Criteria for the award include outreach and social and professional development activities. The “Green Chemistry” Award is gifted to clubs that inspire other chapters to learn about green chemistry, a discipline focused on reducing the use of hazardous substances.
Under the guidance of Assistant Professor of Chemistry Ashley Smith-Diemler, the SFU Chemistry Club not only hosts events for students, but also actively engages the community. Alex Ochs, the club’s president, plays a key role in event planning.
“The chemistry club tries to host a variety of events to keep our club well-rounded, and we also try to incorporate the principles of green chemistry into these events,” said Ochs.
“We often partner with Rural Outreach Chemistry for Kids (ROCK) to help bring science to the students in the area, as well as host a science day with the girl scouts.”
The club also participates in trash clean-ups, hosts welcome events and invites speakers to campus for professional development and networking. This year, they introduced monthly “Element Days” with related activities and discussions about environmental issues, applying principles of green chemistry to educate the public.
To raise even more awareness about green chemistry, the club organized environmental experiments at this year’s involvement fair, hosted trivia challenges about green chemistry principles, and designed club T-shirts with a green chemistry theme.
“It’s a real honor to be awarded with the Outstanding Chapter and Green Chemistry awards,” said Ochs. “I’m so proud of my whole team for putting together so many events that helped enrich campus life and brought us closer together as a club.
“Our accomplishments would not be possible without such a strong E-board and our amazing advisor, Dr. Smith-Diemler.”
