June 2026 ChemChat (June 11, 2026)

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:00:00 GMT

ChemChats are monthly open roundtable discussions on Zoom facilitated by NEACT. ChemChats are aimed at high school and college chemistry teachers but are open to all STEM teachers. Come to share ideas, come to ask questions, or just come for the opportunity to talk with fellow teachers.

Today's topic is "Books and Articles for Chem Teachers and Students". Do you have a favorite book to share for summer reading? Looking for an article on a topic for your stduents? Come with questions or requests. You can post resources in this google.drive folder before, during, or after the 'Chat.

ChemChats are hosted by Sue Klemmer. I am ZOOMING from the coast of Maine, so times are always stated as east coast time. We run 4:00-5:00 pm EST.

ChenChats generally run the 2nd Thursday of each month. I will be taking abreak for July - ChemChats will resume August 13th, and I will be seeking topics at the Summer Conference.

2026 Annual 3 Day Summer Conference -- Registration is now open! Currently accepting presentation proposals (August 03, 2026)

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 12:30:00 GMT

The New England Association of Chemistry Teachers is pleased to announce that the 2026 Annual Summer Conference will be held in person at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Worcester, MA) August 3-5, 2026. This year's theme is “Reactions Ahead! Teaching Chemistry in a Changing World.”

Registration is now open! Plan to attend all three days, or join us for one or two days instead--whatever works best for your schedule. Register now for early bird pricing through June 30th!

Conference registration is for NEACT members only. Members must be logged into the website to register. Not currently a member? It's easy to join or renew your membership online

If you wish to join us for dinner on 8/3 or the banquet on 8/4, you will need to register for those separately.

Please note that conference attendees will need to plan their own accommodations if they play to stay overnight in Worcester; details about the NEACT hotel reservation block will be included in your registration confirmation email.

Apply for a 2026 Summer Conference Scholarship

Scholarships are available to attend the 2026 NEACT Summer Conference. New chemistry teachers and first time attendees will be given preference, but all those who apply will be given consideration. These scholarships will cover at least half of the registration costs of attending the conference.

We thank the Northeastern and Rhode Island Sections of the American Chemical Society for their support of NEACT.

If you are interested in applying for one of the scholarships, please complete this application (the link will force a copy) and email the form to Kathy Siok.

Introducing this year's keynote speakers:

Fostering Student Agency and Social Action in Chemistry Curriculum

Dr. Clarissa Keen -- Boston College

Dr. Clarissa Keen is an Assistant Professor of the Practice in Chemistry at Boston College. They earned their doctorate in Chemistry Education Research from the University of Massachusetts Boston, where her research examined how undergraduate students learn through productive struggle in general chemistry laboratory courses. Using Cultural Historical Activity Theory and extensive qualitative video analysis, her work identified key domains of student struggle and the learning opportunities that emerge from them.

At Boston College, Dr. Keen has focused on undergraduate chemistry curriculum development, drawing on their background in the environmental chemical industry, green chemistry, and equitable teaching practices. Most notably, Dr. Keen redesigned the department’s core Chemistry and Society sequence to integrate discussions of social and environmental justice, asking students to critically examine the roles of capitalism and colonialism in shaping chemical practices and environmental/public health outcomes. This work has led to Dr.Keen’s appointment in Boston College’s Global Public Health and the Common Good program as well as adoption of these materials at several regional institutions, including Tufts University and Northeastern University. In addition to her curricular work, Dr. Keen leads the education subgroup of the BC’s Diversity, Belonging, and Respect in Chemistry Committee, and serves on committees for NARST and NESACS.

Applying Chemistry to Deploy Commercial Fusion Energy at CFS

Alexi Khechfe, PhD -- Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Dr. Khechfe is a Molten Salt Blanket Engineer at Commonwealth Fusion Systems in Devens, MA. He joined the team in September 2023, where he works on molten salt systems for power extraction and tritium fuel production on the ARC fusion power plant. He draws from his knowledge of chemical equilibria, reaction kinetics, electrochemistry, and materials science to solve the cutting edge chemistry challenges required to deploy emissions-free fusion energy to the grid.

Prior to joining CFS, Dr. Khechfe earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from MIT in 2023. As an NSF Graduate Research Fellow, his doctoral thesis focused on developing heterogeneous catalysts to convert biomass into sustainable chemicals. Beyond his research, which has been published in journals like ACS Catalysis and RSC Green Chemistry, Dr. Khechfe served as a Teaching Assistant at MIT for third year chemical engineering students and a mentor to junior researchers in his group. He also holds a B.S. from UC Santa Barbara, where he graduated with High Honors.

Consider presenting at the summer conference! Proposals should be submitted online by May 29th, 2026.

As the world evolves through scientific innovation, technological advancement, environmental challenges, and shifting educational landscapes, chemistry educators play a vital role in preparing students to navigate and contribute to these changes. This conference seeks to highlight forward-thinking approaches, adaptable teaching strategies, and meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for the future of chemistry and the world around them.

We are excited to invite proposal submissions for the upcoming NEACT Summer Conference. We welcome proposals from educators, researchers, and practitioners working in high school, college, and informal education settings. Submissions may include workshops, presentations, panel discussions, or interactive sessions that align with the conference theme.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Innovative and Adaptive Teaching Strategies
Chemistry and Global Challenges
Integrating Current Chemistry Research into the Classroom
AP Chemistry-Focused Sessions
Integrating Emerging Science and Technology
Building Inclusive and Accessible Chemistry Classrooms
Experiential and Community-Based Learning

We encourage proposals that are interactive, practical, and inspiring. Sessions that provide attendees with concrete strategies, classroom-ready resources, or opportunities for collaboration are especially encouraged.

Submit your proposals online by May 29th, 2026.

New England Association of Chemistry Teachers upcoming events

June 2026 ChemChat (June 11, 2026)

2026 Annual 3 Day Summer Conference -- Registration is now open! Currently accepting presentation proposals (August 03, 2026)