Xavier University of Louisiana’s ACS student chapter has strived to make significant contributions both on campus and in the Greater New Orleans community. Our chapter has dedicated time and resources to the development of academic enrichment programs that allow us to leave an impact through education and scholarship such as our Chemistry Education Outreach (CEO) and mentorship program. CEO was implemented as a way to bring chemistry experiments and education to local middle and high schools that lacked the laboratory facilities to conduct experiments on their own. Members of the club would travel to these schools and present a chemistry concept to the students in a short lecture and then lead them through the process of the corresponding experiment. During the 2020-2021 school year, we had to adapt many of our traditional programs so that they could continue while also adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines. For example, CEO is being modified into a virtual program in which students will be able to perform small experiments using common household items. In addition, rather than hosting in-person dinner talks, as we have previously done, we decided to host virtual research talks as part of our general body meetings. Each meeting had a guest faculty member speak about their research on campus and presented club members with the opportunity to work with them. We also hosted a virtual Summer Research Presentation that allowed our club members to meet various researchers both on and off-campus and hear about the summer research opportunities that they were offering. Our mentorship program allows for our upperclassmen club members to mentor underclassmen based on both major and common interests particularly those related to chemistry. This also strengthens comradery among our members and keeps them invested in club activities thus increasing club membership. We also engaged club members in a mask design contest with the winning design then being used as our official club masks. It is through our ability to adapt and a hands-on approach that Xavier University of Louisiana’s ACS Student Chapter continues to operate as a chemical force for good.

Students at Xavier University of Louisiana: An unbroken bond

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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