COVID-19 forced our student chapter to move online, but it did not deter us from inviting guest speakers, nor from building relationships with our club members. Guest speakers bring in new members to our club, educate our audience, and provide possible career interests. Each year we begin with our biggest event, the McLean Lecture. The McLean lecture aims to “increase relationships with alumni, peers and professors, and other local universities, and to encourage undergraduates to pursue careers in STEM fields.” Moving online was an adjustment, but audience engagement and attendance were at all-time high. Other guest speakers included the invitation of two chem club alumni to discuss the possibilities after graduating with a chemistry degree. Not only did we want to maintain the club’s tradition of inviting guest speakers, but we also desired to maintain the experience of building and sustaining relationships that would have otherwise been made in person. That is why our student chapter developed a PenPal system called “ChemPal” in which Chem Club veterans check in with newer members weekly to aid them in any way possible. ChemPals allows students to develop relationships with new friends and mentor as they progress in their college career.

Adapting to a virtual audience

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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