San Jac earns ChemLuminary kudos

The San Jacinto College STEM Council has done it again.

Thanks to continued STEM outreach to local K-12 students, San Jac earned recognition this fall from the American Chemical Society-Greater Houston Section.

At its annual awards banquet in October, the Houston chapter presented the College with the ACS Outstanding Kids and Chemistry Award, part of the national ChemLuminary Awards for excellence in promoting chemistry.

Through the STEM Council's leadership, the College introduces more than 7,000 pre-college students to STEM education and career opportunities each year. Events include STEM expos for elementary students, Mind Trekkers for middle schoolers, the Aerospace Academy Space Day, and science fairs combined with campus tours.

Although ACS-GHS received the national recognition, the chapter honored San Jac for its expansive STEM outreach that puts Houston on the radar.

ACS-GHS ranked third in outreach nationwide in 2016 and first in 2017 and 2018, thanks to the College's initiatives.

ACS-GHS and San Jac have a long partnership. For two decades, the local chapter has helped fund the College's STEM outreach programs, said Dr. Ann Cartwright, STEM Council co-chair.

"At the STEM expo on Central Campus in October, the Greater Houston section had a booth to conduct experiments with our guests," Cartwright said. "They saw San Jacinto College in action and were very impressed with our student volunteers. We have a great partnership, with many of our chemistry faculty serving as members of the local chapter and several having served as officers."

Learn moore about San Jac's STEM programs.