Helen M. Free Award for Public Outreach

The Helen M. Free Award for Public Outreach recognizes outstanding achievements in the field of public outreach by a member of the ACS who improves public recognition and appreciation for the contributions of chemistry. This award was established in 1995 by the American Chemical Society Committee on Public Relations and Communications. Winners receive a crystal award and a $1000 prize.

About Helen M. Free
Contribution
Eligibility
Submissions and Nomination Form
Entries and Online Nomination Form
Past Winners

Helen M. Free

When she assumed the presidency of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in 1993, Dr. Helen M. Free pledged to initiate and support activities that would “improve the public’s awareness of chemistry’s contributions to the quality of daily life.”

This pledge grew out of her long-standing commitment to public outreach by chemists and chemical engineers. She participated in the establishment of Kids and Chemistry, a program in which scientists do hands-on activities with elementary school students. As chair of the National Chemistry Week Task Force (1987-1992), she shepherded ACS’ most successful public outreach program through is formative years. She also originated and now heads the movement toward a worldwide International Chemistry Celebration. This effort has been recognized by the United Nations, which proclaimed 20011 as the International Year of Chemistry.

Dr. Free has visited most of the ACS’ 189 local sections to deliver talks on how crucial it is to communicate science to laymen, and she has personally done over 80 media interviews on the importance of chemistry to modern society. These contributions are milestones in a 50+ year career as a clinical scientist a career that is studded with honors and awards for professional excellence and service to her profession and the community-at-large. It is more than fitting that the annual Award for Public Outreach bear her name.

Contribution

For the purposes of this award, “public outreach” activities are defined as those that reach lay publics, as opposed to science professionals. The award selection committee will consider such factors as the nominee’s personal advocacy and involvement in public outreach initiatives; development or expansions of ideas, materials, and/or resources for volunteer programs; and overall impact on the public. Qualifying activities include lectures, presentations, demonstrations, seminars, symposia, and exhibits; newspaper or magazine articles and interviews; radio and television appearances; and hands-on science activities with children and/or adults. Venues may include schools, libraries, churches, museums, parks, shopping malls, and other public places. Audiences may include civic, fraternal, religious, youth, and professional (non-science) groups. The activities may be local, national, or international.

Eligibility

A nominee must be an ACS member in good standing whose efforts have increased the public’s awareness and understanding of the importance of chemistry or chemical engineering. The nominee must have made a major effort to reach the public with positive messages about the contributions of the chemical sciences to a better quality of life.

Nominees have usually performed public outreach for more than 5 years and winners often have exhibited a lifetime commitment to public outreach. Prior nomination does not exclude a candidate for consideration in the subsequent years.

While a nominee may be professionally involved in public outreach (either self-employed or as an employee of a corporation or organization), the activities for which he or she is nominated must be performed without financial compensation.

Employees of the ACS are not eligible.

Selection Procedures

Nominations are considered by the Award Selection Committee of the ACS Committee on Public Relations and Communications.

Any individual may submit a nomination. Seconding letters are not necessary, and only those that contain factual information not provided in the nominating document will be transmitted to the Selection Committee. In no case should more than two such supporting letters be part of a nomination.

The decision of the Selection Committee is final. The winner is notified by mail in early July.

The award is presented annually at the ChemLuminary Awards, which is held each fall at the ACS National Meeting. Winners must agree to be present to receive their awards unless prevented by circumstances beyond their control. The ACS will provide complimentary travel and hotel accommodations of up to $1000 for the awardee and one guest.

Submissions and Nomination Form

The deadline for Helen M. Free Award nominations has been extended to May 15, 2009.

Nominations must be submitted using the Helen M Free nomination form. Nominations are due May 15.

Accompanying materials, such as the nominee’s résumé and seconding letters can be e-mailed to HMFreeAward@acs.org. Any materials that must be submitted in hard copy must be postmarked on or before midnight May 15 and mailed to the address below.

For more information, contact:

HMFreeAward@acs.org

1-800-227-5558 x4440

CPRC Liaison Room 503
Office of Public Affairs
American Chemical Society
1155 Sixteenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036