Organization Spotlight:

Community outreach is just a small part of what the ACS provides for students.

Photo Courtesy of Adam Cook

Concord has a lot of science majors and although there are different disciplines, there are organizations that are here to help with students’ academic journeys. Madison Crank, President, and Adam Cook, Vice-President, give some helpful information as to how the American Chemical Society operates.

    Madison Crank says, “The American Chemical Society is a science club that goes out into the community to do science demos at places like local day cares, libraries, and elementary schools to teach kids about a science and to inspire them to love and appreciate science.” She also states, “We also sell study guides for organic and general chemistry and set up posters for Undergraduate Research Day.”

    Adam Cook agrees. “It is a good program because it allows the students at Concord to do various things for the community of Athens. For example, outreach projects have been done for children at various locations, i.e. elementary schools, math field days. It also does earth day clean ups so we better the community,” states Cook. “We also have game nights, ice cream socials, and tasting parties with magic berries,” Madison adds. 

    A huge bonus to this organization is that anyone can join. You can be of any class ranking or have any major and still be eligible to join. Benefits that members can receive from joining this organization are excellent, especially if you intend on furthering your education after college. “Since we are an active club, being a member or an officer will look great on any resume if someone is applying to graduate school or medical school,” Crank says.

    The benefits exceed just being able to put this down on a resume. “You cultivate leadership skills and organizational skills by coordinating outreach events and develop interpersonal skills by performing demos in front of large audiences. You can make a huge impact on a child’s life by inspiring them to become interested in the sciences. Being a part of our club is an awesome experience because of the impressions you can make on ‘young, budding scientists,’” Crank adds. 

    Dues for this organization are fairly inexpensive and go towards things that will benefit you as a student and Concord as a University. “$10 per year to cover demo expenses,” Crank states. These demonstrations include things surrounding our local community. In past years, Crank says, “We have set up demos on Math Field Day, gone to Mercer Elementary School and the library, and served at Brush Creek Falls.” 

    “In a couple weeks, we’ll be going to a place on Mercer Street to do some hands-on demos with middle school kids; in October we’re going to the national meeting called SERMACS; and in November we’re touring the Forensic Science Center at Marshall University. We stay busy,” Crank adds.  

    Cook shares how ACS has been beneficial for him: “Influencing the children to better their education and follow their dreams of becoming scientists or entering whatever science related profession they dream of has not only benefited me as a student and ACS leader, but it has benefited me as a person. I personally enjoy helping with kids and interacting with them anyway possible.” 

    The demonstrations that ACS does are not only good for the children, but also for the members. “These demos help me get deeper into my studies so I can get an explanation to the young children that they can understand while aiding me in memorization of certain concepts in my variety of chemistry classes,” Cook says.  

    In the process of influencing children and receiving benefits as a member, Cook also explains how taking on a leadership role has given him general leadership skills that he can apply to other areas of his life. “Now as an ACS leader, when it boils down to it, all college students are just big kids. If I can relate to the kids in whatever way, as a leader it will allow me to branch out and find ways to get to the club members to help them in anyway. Hopefully as a leader, they see me as someone they can come to if ever necessary,” states Cook. With the abundance of science majors on campus, it seems necessary to find an organization that will help benefit you now and later. The American Chemical Society can do just that.