International Year of the Periodic Table – RSC activities and events
The January 2019 Networks Newsletter sees a special update about Royal Society of Chemistry activities for the International Year of the Periodic Table from Gemma Wood. Contact Gemma and the IYPT team at outreach@rsc.org with any comments or questions.
2019 marks 150 years since Dmitri Mendeleev published his first periodic table of elements. To celebrate this pivotal moment in chemistry history, UNESCO has designated 2019 as the International Year of the Periodic Table. We’re excited to be leading the UK chemistry community’s contribution to the international celebrations headed by IUPAC and have a range of activities and initiatives lined up to celebrate this year.
We’re sponsoring the official IUPAC IYPT opening ceremony in January 2019 where our CEO, Dr Robert Parker will be giving one of the opening addresses. Throughout the year we’ll be hosting several flagship activities including:
- A periodic table themed exhibition in Burlington House, curated by Dr Peter Wothers (Cambridge University)
- A series of high profile periodic table themed public lectures to be held across the UK
- Joint public outreach activities including lectures and demonstrations and hosted in collaboration with other professional bodies and relevant partners
- An IUPAC global women’s breakfast event hosted by our President, Dame Carol Robinson to showcase the RSC’s commitment to supporting women in the chemical sciences
We’re also producing a range of events and activities across the organisation including:
- Hands on activity outreach resources packs aimed at teachers for use at events and for use by members to deliver outreach to the public
- A strand of policy work focussing on research and communication to inform public engagement and member activities on resource efficiency and scarcity of elements
- IYPT branding of our journal publications and the publication of periodic table themed books
- Dedicated periodic table themed content in Chemistry World including guest editorials and dedicated monthly content focussing on element discovery
These activities represent just some of the work that is happening centrally to celebrate the International Year of the Periodic Table. We’ll be updating you on specific events via the Networks Newsletter, Voice and Update and further information can be found online here: www.rsc.org/IYPTWe’re also asking our member groups to support the success of IYPT. Ways to get involved include:
- Making a nomination for the IUPAC periodic table of younger chemists. This initiative will highlight the diversity of careers, creativity and dedication of the young chemists leading us into the next century by honouring one younger chemist per element. More information can be found here: https://iupac.org/100/pt-of-chemist
- Applying for an IYPT grant to support groups and members to celebrate IYPT. Committees of locals sections, interest groups and international sections are invited to apply for a member networks grant (of up to £1,000) to run activities celebrating IYPT. These grants can be used to support a range of activity including schools and public engagement events or periodic table themed events for members in a particular area. Additionally, RSC members in the UK and Ireland can apply for grants (of up to £500) to run IYPT events and activities. These grants are also open to applications from Learn Chemistry Partnership schools and Chem Socs. Applications will be considered in January (deadline 14 January), April, July and October and early application is recommended as funding is limited. More information can be found online here: www.rsc.org/iypt
- Downloading the IYPT digital resource pack (coming soon) for support with key messages, branding, images and Power Point slides. Why not also visit the Brand Centre for IYPT branded promotional items?
Our new Public Engagement Officer, Anna Aldred, has recently joined the Member Communities team to support our IYPT activities and will be in touch in the near future with additional information. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to email outreach@rsc.org if you have any questions.