Global climate change is an urgent environmental challenge which is affected by political, economic and social factors. Although Americans are increasingly concerned about climate change, confusion and skepticism by the general public persists. As part of the American Chemical Society Presidential Climate Science Challenge, students and faculty from four Portland colleges partnered with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) to improve public understanding of climate change. Portland Community College (PCC) students learned the fundamentals of climate change from climate science experts, gained an understanding of effective science communication through OMSI's �Portal to the Public� program, and worked in teams to develop interactive exhibits on such subjects as greenhouse gases and ocean acidification. During National Chemistry Week 2013, the students reached out to the large, diverse OMSI audience with hands-on activities, discussions and demonstrations designed to increase awareness of climate change and its effects. Through participation in this project, the students not only deepened their understanding of environmental chemistry, but also learned the important role that chemists play as �scientist-citizens� in effectively communicating critical scientific issues and teaching environmental stewardship to the public. Figure 1. <img src='https://acs-archive-assets2.s3.amazonaws.com/241nm/uploads/76703_alex_doemling_figure__21558_abstract.jpg' alt='' />

Outreach and environmental stewardship

248th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.