Monthly Challenges

Participate in each monthly challenge to learn new skills and expand your knowledge. Explore the current challenge below, share your accomplishments on social media with the monthly hashtag, and check back soon for next month's challenge.

#OctoberOutreach

October is a great time for outreach. National Nano Day (October 9), National Chemistry Week (October 17-23), Chemistry Advocacy Day (October 20) and Mole Day (October 23) all make great opportunities to share the impact chemistry has on the world… and have fun doing it!

Your challenge is simple—do some outreach this month and share it with #OctoberOutreach. Work with kids, work with adults. Share your love of chemistry through activities, videos, or articles.

Here are ideas to get started:

Types of events

Even if your school is having in-person classes, virtual events are still the safest option for everyone during a pandemic. Try:

• Create a demo video
• Host a teach-in
• Make a virtual classroom visit (Bonus: ship activity kits to the teacher in advance)
• Host an online science café
• Write an article or start a conversation
• Advocate for science with your legislators 

Sources for outreach activities

There are lots of resources for outreach activities. Here are some of our favorites:

• National Chemistry Week
  Your one-stop shop for all things NCW. Get activities, clip art, videos, and more, all on this year’s theme “Fast or Slow: Chemistry Makes It Go.”
• Chemistry at Home
  Looking for some fun activities using stuff around the house? This open-access resource has you covered!
• Explore Science
  Get tips on facilitating hands-on activities, as well as activities to try, from this collaboration between ACS and the National Informal STEM Education Network  
• ChemClubs: Halloween Chemistry
  Celebrate spooky season with these Halloween-themed activities!

Shareable information

Looking for science info you can share with the general public? All of these explain science news in a way that is both accurate and easy to understand:

• Compound Interest
  Download infographics on everything from COVID-19 vaccines to air purification to fruits and vegetables
• ACS Pressroom
  Get the latest news from all the ACS publications, written for the general public
• ACS Reactions
  Wondering how a concrete building can just collapse? How sunscreen works? Why blue jeans are blue? Check out these videos on the science of the world around us.
• National Nanotechnology Day
  Celebrate all things nano with these resources from the National Nanotechnology Initiative

Tips and training

Ready to level-up your outreach? Check out these resources to improve your communication skills and make your outreach more engaging and effective

• Outreach Training Program
  This free, on-demand workshop series can you with everything from planning an event to marketing to leading your volunteers
• Chemistry Advocacy Workshop
  Learn how to get through to policymakers about important scientific issues with this self-paced, on-demand course.
• inChemistry magazine
  Get ready for outreach with these tips and tricks from inChemistry
  • Get ready for NCW 2021
  • Surefire Ways to Engage Kids in Learning Chemistry
  • Tips for planning demos (infographic)
  • 5 Ways Your Chapter Can Be Active Virtually Right Now
  • Writing about science for nonscientists
• Advocacy Tools & Tips
  Before you reach out to local lawmakers or federal policymakers, check out these tips for more effective communication.
• Safety Guidelines for Chemical Demonstrations (PDF)
  Doing a demo? Check and double-check it against these guidelines for a fun and safe experience