HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026 AND ACS 150TH ANNIVERSARY FROM THE LEHIGH VALLEY SECTION OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY!

January 2026

January Section Meeting

Thursday, January 22nd

Moravian University, HUB 410

Speaker: Ed Boscola, Director of the Water and Sewer Resources Department for the City of Bethlehem

“City of Bethlehem Water and Wastewater Treatment Systems”

Abstract: “Bethlehem delivers 14 million gallons per day of drinking water to over 120,000 persons in the city and surrounding communities and treats 11 million gallons per day of waste water for discharge to the Lehigh River.  The drinking water system includes surface water reservoirs, a filtration plant, pump stations, storage tanks, and distribution piping. The sewer system includes a wastewater treatment plant, pump stations, and gravity collection mains. Water and wastewater chemistry is monitored daily to ensure quality parameters and regulatory requirements are met. This presentation will offer a history and overview of the City’s drinking water and wastewater systems.”

Bio: Edward Boscola is the Director of the Water and Sewer Resources Department for the City of Bethlehem.  He is a graduate of Villanova University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering; he has held the position of Director for 12 years.  The Department he directs provides water and sewer services for the City and all or parts of 12 surrounding municipalities.

Moravian University, 1200 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018

ALL EVENTS WILL BE HELD IN Haupert Union Bldg. (HUB) ROOM 410

Social Hour: 5:30 pm

Dinner: 6:00 pm

Meeting: 7:00 pm

Members $25; Students/retired $15

REGISTER: c/o June Thompson, thompsonj03@moravian.edu 

POST FLYER EVERYWHERE!

MEETING CONTACT: Carl Salter, salterc@moravian.edu

February 2026

February Section Meeting
Tuesday, February 10th
Albright College
Speaker: Lauren Toote, Elizabethtown College
Simple and Inexpensive Test for Detection of Heavy Metals in Drinking Water
Abstract: Elemental detection tools are essential for assessment of hazards, such as heavy metal contamination in drinking water. Unfortunately, many detection strategies can only be implemented by skilled technicians in labs with expensive equipment. As a result, these methods are not readily available to the general population in the United States. Molecules that produce a colorimetric response in the presence of metal ions (molecular probes) are one possible solution to this problem, as they provide a quick and easy detection strategy. Unfortunately, many of these probes are insoluble in water, the very medium in which they need to detect. To address this limitation, polymer nanoparticle-based sensors have been developed that encapsulate colorimetric molecular probes for lead(II) and mercury(II). It was found that these sensors allow for organic solvent-free detection of heavy metals directly in water, producing a colorimetric response within 20 minutes. The synthesis, characterization and optimization of these sensors will be presented, along with implementation of these methods in a paper-based assay design for simple and inexpensive testing.
Social hour 5:30
Dinner 6:15
Meeting & Seminar 7:15
REGISTRATION DETAILS TBA

Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Sciences Meeting
More Information on Attending/Judging: Region 3
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Northampton Community College
3835 Green Pond Road
Bethlehem, PA 18020
Morning session starts 8 am; afternoon session at 12:30  

Free breakfast and lunch if you judge both! 
No prior experience necessary!

CONTACT: Danielle Sixsmith at daniellesixsmith@gmail.com

March 2026
 

Reading-Berks Science and Engineering Fair
More Information on Attending/Judging
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Albright College, Bollman Gymnasium Schumo Center for Fitness and Well-Being
N. 13th St. and Richmond St. Reading, PA
Judging from 7:45 am to 4:15 pm with breakfast/lunch
Register

Lehigh Valley Science & Engineering Research Fair
Information
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Lehigh University, Goodman Campus
Rauch Field House,123 Goodman Drive
Bethlehem, PA 18015
CONTACT: Philip Elias, philipjelias@gmail.com

March Section Meeting
Thursday, March 19th
Muhlenberg College
Speaker: Holly Bendorf, Lycoming College
Holly's research focuses on developing new reactions for the synthesis of medium-ring heterocycles and carbocycles. These structures are found in biologically active compounds that are potential pharmaceuticals. 
social hour: 5/5:30
dinner: 6:00
business meeting/lecture: 7:00
MORE DETAILS TBA

April 2026

April Section Meeting
Tuesday, April 14th
DeSales University
ANNUAL UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH POSTER SESSION
SAVE THE DATE !!

May 2026

Reading Science Center's 3rd Celebrate Science Day
Sunday, May 3rd
Location TBA: stay tuned for more details soon!

Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting (MARM)
May 17th - 19th
Hershey Lodge Convention Center
Hershey, Pennsylvania
MARM 2026 is co-hosted by Lehigh Valley,
Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Susquehanna Local Sections!