ACS Spring 2026 reinforced something I don’t want to forget: great outreach isn’t improvised—it’s engineered.

Taking this mindset into the next season of Science with Impact.

If you do public-facing science, what’s one lightweight way you measure real understanding vs. just enjoyment?

At ACS Spring 2026, a few moments stood out to me because they were practical, not just inspiring.
You can find my full set of notes, examples, and reflections on my website - www.sciencewithimpact.org/acs-s2026-de...

Do you prefer to author your reactive sites asset-first (as we did here in the JSON/metadata) to reduce processing, or do you prefer to calculate those capabilities dynamically at runtime via rule scripts? I'm curious about the long-term scalability trade-offs! 👇🏽

We finally cracked the physics of neutralization in our Unity engine, but it required a major architectural pivot. 🧪💻

🛑 Zero proton exchange.

✅ The Fix: We refactored our architecture to be completely “asset-first.”

🟢 Now, every single unit inherently knows if it’s a reactive site.

If you are looking for ways to capture measurable impact data for your next grant proposal, I wrote a full breakdown of this project. Comment "Assessment," and I'll send you the link!

#BroaderImpacts #NSF #ChemistryEducation #ScienceOutreach #Pedagogy

✅ AFTER: 30 out of 70 responses successfully used mechanistic chemistry terms to explain the slime's behavior.

That is a 5x increase in chemistry comprehension. We successfully measured the transition of 24 children from sensory observers to reasoning with chemistry.

The results after they completed the slime activity:
❌ BEFORE: Only 6 out of 70 responses used chemistry-based language. The overwhelming majority (51) relied purely on sensory observations.

At the ACS Kids Zone with MONET, our goal was to move participants from describing slime as "squishy" (sensory) to understanding cross-linking (mechanistic).

We collected 70 pre- and post-activity index card assessments from participants (65 of which were children).

How do you MEASURE if your outreach actually taught the public science? (Data inside 📊👇)

The PIs I support enter Grant Reviews with more than just dates and participant counts; we also measure the depth of their broader impacts using simple assessment strategies like this Index Card Pre-Post.

Rigorous science doesn't have to be boring, and fun science doesn't have to lack mechanistic truth.

To read the behind-the-scenes of how we designed this award-winning Broader Impacts activity, comment "Fun!" below.

#STEM #ACS #ACSSpring2026 #ScienceIsFun #ComputationalChemistry

Out of all the amazing, hands-on activities at the festival, our interactive slime station won the "Most Fun" tally board vote from the kids themselves! (See the overwhelming tally marks below!)

By turning cross-linking into a game of cause and effect, the kids weren't just watching science—they were controlling it.

The best part?

The Center for Molecularly Optimized Networks (MONET) wanted to change that at the ACS Kids Zone.

We built an interactive 3D simulation that let kids actually manipulate the borate ions and PVA strands to see the "Hidden Layer" of the material.

What happens when you combine rigorous polymer chemistry with interactive 3D gaming? You win "Kid's Choice." 🏆

Slime is the world's most popular chemistry demo, but kids usually leave the table thinking it’s just magic goo...

Scan the QR code in the images, or comment "Slime" below, and I'll provide you with the link.

Let me know in the comments if you can successfully make all 5 connections! 👇

🔗 Use the "Chemical Connector" (borate ions) to cross-link the PVA strands.
✂️ Use the "Bond Breaker" (acetic acid) to undo the network and return the slime to a liquid state.

(Pro tip: The physics engine is fully optimized for mobile, so it's best experienced on your phone!)

Jump into the "Beyond the Goo" sandbox and experiment with polymer cross-linking in real-time, right from your browser.

Your mission:

Want to try the interactive 3D chemistry game that won "Most Fun" at the ACS Kids Zone? 🎮🧪

We built this WebGL simulation in partnership with the NSF Center for Molecularly Optimized Networks (MONET) to answer one specific question: What exactly makes slime stretchy?

Now, you can play it yourself!

Comment "Story" below, and I'll share the link to the case study.

#BroaderImpacts #ScienceCommunication #ChemistryEducation #NSF #InteractiveLearning #EdTech #ACSSpring2026

I just published a complete, behind-the-scenes case study breaking down exactly how we designed the chemistry logic of a slime chemistry game, why play-based hypothesis testing can be an effective outreach strategy, and how you can capture hard educational data for your next grant renewal.

Recently, the NSF-Funded Center for Chemical Innovation: Molecularly Optimized NETworks (MONET) and the American Chemical Society Kids Zone partnered with us at Science with Impact to see if we could turn sensory play into a measurable science lesson.

Slime is (arguably) the world’s most popular chemistry demo. But let's be honest: most kids leave the table thinking it’s just "magic goo." 🪄🧪

For NSF-funded researchers and science educators, "Broader Impacts" require more than just smiles—they require measurable learning outcomes.

What does impact in science actually look like?
These individuals aren't just shaping science in their own spaces—they're generously sharing what they've learned along the way.
Watch the full episode here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h6I...

Looking Back: A Year of Interviews with Impactful Scientists "Everything is sales—welcome to your life." That's the uncomfortable truth academics need to hear, according to one of our guests who left academia to become an entrepreneur. In this episode of…

→ Why representation is more than demographics
→ How to mentor when funding disappears
→ Why the "scientific method" myth needs to die

Full episode: youtu.be/-h6IyWxQDFY

#SciComm #STEM #AcademicLife

"Everything is sales—welcome to your life." Academics are conditioned to feel bad about "selling," but you're always selling something—your research, your ideas, your value.

Other highlights:

🧪 Year 1 recap: We highlight insights from 15 scientists about the real challenges in STEM careers.

The most uncomfortable truth?

A huge thank you to every single guest who shared their wisdom, challenges, and innovative approaches with us this season.

We've curated the most impactful moments in our Season 1 recap. What was your biggest takeaway from this year's conversations? Let us know below! ⬇️

Swipe through to see the amazing individuals who joined us and tag your favorites in the comments for a shout-out! 👉🏽

Looking back through these conversations, powerful patterns emerged—from uncomfortable truths about academia to creative solutions to funding challenges.

The faces of Season 1! 🤩

Over the past year on the Science with Impact Podcast, we’ve had the privilege of interviewing 46 incredible scientists, educators, and entrepreneurs who are reshaping how we think about STEM careers and science communication.

Sneak peek of Science with Impact S1 recap: "Selling" science, representation beyond demographics, navigating funding cuts.

Want to know when it drops?
👉 Sign up for our newsletter to get notified as soon as it goes live - www.sciencewithimpact.org#/portal/signup