The ACS Permian Basin Local Section, chartered in 1959, serves as a vital organization for chemists and chemistry enthusiasts across a broad area, covering approximately 22,500 square miles in West Texas and parts of New Mexico. The section includes ten counties in Texas—Andrews, Brewster, Crane, Ector, Glasscock, Howard, Martin, Midland, Pecos, Scurry, Sterling, Tom Green, Ward, and Winkler—as well as Lea County in New Mexico. Within this region, key academic institutions include Angelo State University, Midland College, the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB), and Sul Ross State University.
The primary purpose of the Permian Basin Local Section is to encourage and advance chemistry in all its branches, while promoting scientific education, interest, and inquiry. The section fulfills these objectives through its meetings, reports, papers, discussions, and publications, creating a platform for professional and academic engagement.
Section Goals and Activities
- Create Professional Readiness for Section Members and College Students: Offer career development resources and networking opportunities to support the professional growth of members.
- Provide Learning Opportunities for Section Membership: Organize seminars, workshops, and events that enhance members’ knowledge in various chemical fields.
- Support K-12 Education: Engage with younger students through outreach initiatives that foster early interest in chemistry.
- Build Collaborative Relationships: Foster partnerships with local institutions, businesses, and other scientific organizations to promote chemistry.
- Perform Community Outreach: Raise public awareness about chemistry and its impact on daily life, with a focus on sustainability and green chemistry.
- Continually Improve the Section: Work towards expanding the section’s reach and enhancing the quality of programs and services offered to members.
Key activities include travel grants for students to attend national and regional American Chemical Society meetings, as well as hosting regional outreach events that highlight green chemistry and other crucial areas of research. Each participating institution actively contributes to the section’s growth, involving their student bodies in various ACS activities to strengthen the chemistry community.
To become a part of this dynamic local section and participate in its activities and events, contact one of the current executive officers. We welcome new members and are always eager to include more individuals in our efforts to promote and advance the field of chemistry in the Permian Basin.
