National Chemistry Week

For thousands of years, humans have been interested in the science behind what makes up the planet as well as the organisms living on it. From the time when early humans would extract metals from ore, make pottery with glaze or ferment beer and wine, people have been using chemistry to improve the quality of their lives – even if at the time they weren’t really sure why it worked that way!

Over the past centuries, the branch of science known as chemistry has developed and grown into an organized, systematic way of performing experiments and learning more about the matter that makes up the world. From medicines and soaps to glass and perfume, some of the most interesting discoveries have come about through the science branch of chemistry.

National Chemistry Week is here to celebrate and show appreciation for the myriad of ways that chemistry has had a huge influence and made a giant impact on the modern world!

History of National Chemistry Week

National Chemistry Week can trace its roots back more than 35 years, to 1987 when it was first celebrated by members of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The idea for the day was a vision of the former president of the ACS, Dr. George C. Pimentel. The hope for the purpose of the day was to offer opportunities for the public to learn more about the importance of chemistry in everyday life.

In the years since its founding, National Chemistry Week has been functioning as a community based event that works to unite a variety of sectors including schools, businesses, educators and other individuals. In fact, the day has won awards for excellence from the American Society of Association Executives. Each year, through the sponsorship of the ACS organization, this day gathers thousands of volunteers as well as dozens of chemical companies to reach millions of Americans about how vital chemistry is to their lives.

National Chemistry Week is scheduled to take place during the third week of October because it coincides with National Mole Day, which commemorates the importance of Avogadro’s Number (6.02 × 10²³) and also encourages people to take an active interest in chemistry. 

Each year, the organizers of National Chemistry Week choose a theme that helps to inform the particular direction of the celebrations. Past themes over the years have included topics such as:

• Fabulous Fibers: The Chemistry of Fabrics (2022)
• Fast or Slow, Chemistry Makes it Go! (2021)
• Chemistry is Out of This World (2018)
• Forensics: Solving Mysteries Through Chemistry (2016)

Chemistry is an exciting area of science that offers tons of opportunities for discovery and development. National Chemistry Week takes time out each year to show appreciation for this scientific discipline while raising awareness about its unique influence on the world.

How to Celebrate National Chemistry Week

Get on board and show some love to this science by celebrating National Chemistry Week in a whole host of ways! Check out some of these ideas to get started, or get creative and come up with some of your own:

Join an Illustrated Poem Contest

National Chemistry Week has offered a special opportunity for school-aged children to participate in a contest by submitting an illustrated poem around the topic of chemistry. Winners have been determined through their local sections and then moved forward and submitted on a national level. Creating words and pictures that go along with the year’s theme for the week could be an exciting way to participate. Check out past winners of the contest on the NCW website.

Plan a National Chemistry Week Event

Teachers, parents, scout troop leaders, after school clubs and others who are interested in chemistry can create events that fall in line with the celebration of National Chemistry Week. The National Informal STEM Education Network (NISEN) organizers offer connections on their website that can be helpful in locating resources as well as educational content, logos, artwork, videos, infographics and so much more. The NCW organization also offers educational and helpful resources on their website.

Perform Some Chemistry Experiments

One fun way to celebrate National Chemistry Week might be to show some appreciation for the science by performing some simple chemistry experiments at home. Do some research and make them on your own or grab the kids and have some fun with simple chemistry activities like these:

• Baking Soda Invisible Ink. Make a non-toxic invisible ink with baking soda and water, and use a paintbrush or cotton swab to write on paper. Then, reveal the message by using a heat source like a light bulb or an iron.
• Borax Snowflake. Made from borax, which is a salt compound, these “snowflakes” are actually a project that grows crystals. Other required materials include string, pipe cleaners, a wide mouthed jar, and boiling water. They can even be made colorful with food coloring.
• Coffee Filter Chromatography. Use colorful candies with water, salt, toothpicks and more than can help discover a range of colors on a coffee filter.
• Baking Soda Volcano. This non-toxic, classic science fair project is performed by adding baking soda to white vinegar that is placed inside a volcano made of flour, salt, and cooking oil.