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

January 2026

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
Members $25; Students/Retired $15

REGISTER c/o Matt Sonntag, msonntag@albright.edu

POST FLYER EVERYWHERE!

Southern Lehigh Middle School STEAM Expo
Thursday, February 26th, 2026
Southern Lehigh MS, 3715 Preston Lane, Center Valley, PA 18034
Fourth Annual SLMS STEAM Expo open from 6 pm until 8 pm
Check out the STEAM Expo flyer and Community Outreach Poster for more information.
LVACS will have an exhibit and hands-on demonstration table!  
VOLUNTEERS AND ADMIRERS NEEDED!
CONTACT: Philip Elias, philipjelias@gmail.com

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

LVACS Women Chemists Committee Local Event
Friday, March 13, 2026
Come join the local women chemists to learn about chocolate chemistry and make your own! 

Christmas City Chocolates, LV
3:00pm to 5:00pm, March 13, 2026 (Friday)
Address: Madison Farms Shopping Center, 4773 Freemansburg Ave D103
Easton, PA 18045

Please RSVP to Yi at duyidoit@gmail.com by Mar. 1

It is a free event and you don’t need to be an ACS member to attend. Due to venue capacity, priorities will be for women chemist or students in the Lehigh Valley.

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!