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Howard Peters, Ph.D., J.D.
Cupertino, Calif.
Why are the American Chemistry Society (ACS) and chemistry almost "missing in action" this May 2025 in Columbus Ohio at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world's largest high school science fair? Yes, the same Columbus Ohio headquarters of ACS's largest profit center, CAS.
Questions?
Have I become a motley fool? Don't many of us have technical training that discerns the difference between the truth and a good joke? Can only a motley fool speak the truth to the king or queen without retribution?
Will ISEF be a diverse and international group of top STEM students? ISEF 2025 will test and judge 2000+ top high schools. Will the students vie for over $9,000,000 of various awards?
Do the ACS & CAS currntly provide support for ISEF and diverse students in chemistry and STEM from around the world?
For ISEF 2025, is ACS's present support really a paltry $25,000? What are the optics of this? My opinion -- terrible. Time is of the essence, but there is still time for ACS and CAS to act. Or will it be business as usual and the loss of a golden opportunity?
Is ACS the largest scientific society in the world --according to the public IRS 990 report for 2023 -- with ~$2 billion in total assets and an annual budget of over $700,000,000?
Then act like it and put your money where your mouth is -- at ISEF 2025.
What do the formal ACS Constitution and Bylaws say about this chemical enterprise? Are they being followed?
Do ACS members elect the Board Officers? Yes. Does the ACS Board make decisions favorable to ACS members and to STEM? Questionable. Does the ACS Board hire the ACS staff in Washington? Yes. Do they make decisions favorable to ACS members and to STEM?
Who are the ACS members? Does the ACS really have 200,000+ voting members? Or does the ACS now really only have about 100,000 dues-paying ACS members who can vote, count on signed petitions and be elected to ACS offices? Do ACS members elect ACS Council Members? Do they make decisions favorable to ACS members and to STEM? Does ACS -- a very profitable publishing and search entity -- really need members?
This motley fool is just asking questions. Don't kill the messenger.
You will know Howard Peters as Mister Chocolate at SCIMIX and elsewhere for years. A 60+ year member of ACS including 35 years on the ACS Council, Elected Fellow of the American Chemical Society, and Elected Fellow of the Royal Society (London), and invited volunteer judge at many International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) competitions for 15 years.