NESACS 2025 Norris Award Meeting

to

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Board Meeting (hybrid, separate link sent by email if interest)

5:30 pm – 6:15 pm Reception

6:15 pm – 7:30 pm Dinner

7:30 pm – 8:30 pm Presentation of the 2025 James Flack Norris Award and Address:

"Creating Crosslinks: How the Macromolecular Alliance for Community Resources and Outreach Connects Many Branches of Science"

Abstract:

The Macromolecular Alliance of Community, Resources and Outreach (MACRO) is a committee supported by both the polymer chemistry (POLY) and polymeric materials science and engineering (PMSE) divisions of ACS. Initially led by Philip Costanzo from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (POLY) and Dominik Konkolewicz Miami University, Ohio (PMSE), with Elizabeth S. Sterner from Lebanon Valley College as primary contributor. The current leadership is Phil Costanzo (POLY) and Elizabeth S. Sterner (PMSE), with Dominik Konkolewicz serving as a primary contributor. MACRO focuses on the growth and development of the polymer community by supporting three distinct initiatives, which are: 1) curriculum; 2) professional development; 3) outreach. On the curriculum initiative, we have created a freely accessible repository of teaching materials for instructors to be able to acquire and utilize in their classrooms. Materials range from undergraduate to graduate level lecture material as well as a range of laboratory experiments (both teacher and student guides). On the professional development initiative, we have created a myriad of content for the undergraduate, graduate, postdoc and faculty levels in the form of interactive panels, info sessions and downloadable content. On the outreach initiative, we have created a depository of outreach materials for individuals to be able to spread their passion and knowledge of science to the general population. This is an interface where individuals can request instructional content based upon audience composition and support resources. Importantly, we have developed a model where we actively solicit content ideas for all three initiatives from POLY & PMSE and the broader ACS community. This ensures that we are actively serving our community with the appropriate and desired content.

Summary of MACRO

In 2019, Philip Costanzo, Elizabeth S. Sterner, and Dominik Konkolewicz founded the Macromolecular Alliance for Community Resources and Outreach (MACRO) from PolyEd. MACRO focuses on generating quality and freely accessible resources for the ACS and Polymer Science/Engineering communities. Konkolewicz focuses on professional development resources and opportunities through MACRO. This includes developing permanent resources on the MACRO webpage, ranging from guides for writing manuscripts to resources helping early career scientists choose appropriate career paths. A further focus of professional development activities in MACRO has been live panels and webinars on topics of undergraduate research experiences, non-traditional careers, and networking within the polymer community. Costanzo focuses on creation and dissemination of outreach content. MACRO is creating a depository of outreach materials for individuals to be able to spread their passion and knowledge of science to the general population. We have developed a two-way interface where individuals can submit new polymer knowledge and access and gain new resources in polymer science. Sterner leads the curriculum subcommittee. Its purpose is to empower instructors to embed polymer content across the chemistry curriculum. Free curriculum modules are currently available on topics such as fundamental polymer concepts, polymer synthesis by alkene and acyl reactions, and essential methods of characterizing polymers. Each module has both a set of slides to use in the classroom and an accompanying instructor support document detailing crucial background information and offering advice on instructional approach. New modules are developed based on feedback from the community.

Dress is business casual.

Please select your dinner option on the Order Form.

For directions to Simmons University please visit:

Directions to Simmons

Parking for the event is available in the parking garage on campus (for an additional fee) or on the street, but may be limited and those able to take public transportation are strongly encouraged to do so.

Please advise of any parking requests in the order form. Though parking is limited and we may not be able to accommodate all requests.

Can't join in person? Register for the livestream here:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/AgZF3CcJQ-2H7bbByIvHmw

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Simmons University, 300 Fenway, Boston, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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