The student chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS) at West Virginia State University (WVSU) is receiving a Green Chemistry Student Chapter Award, as well as a Commendable Chapter rating, for the 10th consecutive year from the ACS Green Chemistry Institute.

The group of more than 20 students is one of the most active student organizations on campus, and has been praised for its outreach and educational efforts promoting chemistry to area youths. Student participants regularly visit schools in the Kanawha Valley to teach science to students in elementary and middle schools. They also work to help host numerous STEM-related activities on the WVSU campus.

“The ACS students are successfully continuing their mission to bring science education to young people,” said Dr. Micheal Fultz, a WVSU chemistry professor and faculty advisor for the ACS student chapter. “We are taking science into schools on a regular basis to enhance science education at all grade levels.”

“While reviewing this year’s chapter reports, [West Virginia State’s chapter] activities stood out and clearly demonstrated an understanding and embracing of green chemistry principles,” ACS Green Chemistry Institute Program Manager Jennifer MacKellar said. 

The Green Chemistry Award has become a sought after, yet elusive, accolade for many ACS student chapters. As a result of receiving the recognition, WVSU’s student chapter is invited to present on their green chemistry activities at the ACS National Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, next spring. This symposium provides a platform for student chapters who have been awarded green chemistry status to share their strategies and stories. 

Originally from Matt Browning for West Virginia State University News.