SMACS receives ACS GCI Green Chemistry Student Chapter Award

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The UCLA Student Members of the American Chemical Society (SMACS) receives an outstanding performance rating from the ACS – a rarity among Tier 1 research universities – as well as a 2023-2024 Green Chemistry Student Chapter Award.

UCLA SMACS received the award from the American Chemical Society (ACS) Green Chemistry Institute (GCI), which is given to student groups which promote green chemistry on campus. Over the past academic year, SMACS provided many creative ways to engage members in green chemistry, including a Price Is Right themed meeting to educate students on the cost of lab materials, hosting a defense of the green chemistry principles where students had to defend each principle, and making safe cleaning products from household chemicals.

SMACS received their outstanding performance rating from the ACS for their efforts in creating a community within the Chemistry and Biochemistry department. They provide opportunities for all students to perform chemistry demonstrations to K-12 children, receive advice on professional development, interact with faculty and graduate students in the department, and present their research at the end-of-year poster session. 

The award-winning chapters will also be honored at the ACS Student Communities Awards Ceremony at ACS Spring 2025 meeting. UCLA SMACS received Green Chemistry Student Chapter Awards in  2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2021. They received their first outstanding performance rating in 2019.

SMACS is the UCLA undergraduate chapter of the American Chemical Society. SMACS aims to nurture a social network for life and physical science undergraduate students, especially chemistry and biochemistry majors. SMACS holds weekly meetings from 6-7 PM on Wednesdays in Young Hall 2033 covering professional development, green chemistry, and service demonstrations. To find out more about SMACS at UCLA, visit https://www.chem.ucla.edu/acsbruins or check them out on instagram @smacsbruins.

SMACS volunteering at Exploring Your Universe (EYU).
Bonding over marshmallow towers!
SMACS board showcasing their research.
Tie-dyed shirts from a SMACS green chemistry activity.

Many thanks to SMACS for providing the photos!