Join Us at ChemEd 2025

By: Ashley Green and Sarah English

As the end of the school year approaches, thoughts of long summer days without grading and planning come to mind. Summer is also a wonderful time to meet other educators from across the country and worldwide to talk about chemistry education! If you are wondering where to find the best opportunity for professional development, consider attending ChemEd 2025 in beautiful Golden, Colorado, from July 20th through 25th. 

The ChemEd 2025 conference, hosted at the Colorado School of Mines, offers an exciting opportunity to explore the latest innovations in chemistry education. Attendees share best practices, participate in collaborative discussions, and connect with educators from around the world. Ready to jump in and start planning your ChemEd 2025 experience? Begin with the sessions! You'll find everything from interactive lab activities and hands-on workshops to insightful presentations, all organized around five key strands outlined below.

We Have the Demos!

If you are looking for ideas to incorporate fun demos into your classroom, stop by the ChemEd X Symposium on Demonstrations. Some of the demos will include: Dollar Store Demos, Using a manometer to measure the pressure of a balloon, Dry Ice - A Few Fun Ways to Include Dry Ice in Your Teaching, Demos with Everyday Materials (and maybe some liquid nitrogen), and Enthalpy of Solutions. 

The Chemical Education Xchange: Engaging with Contributors

If there is a DO NOT miss symposium on your list, this one is it! Every time you read one of the articles on the ChemEdX.org website and think how amazing it would be to meet the authors, this is your chance. Here are some of the topics that will be covered: Capturing Student Understanding with Canva, Creating Digital Interactive Card Sorts, Improving Engagement with Chemistry-Themed Brain Breaks, and  Engaging Students in Social Justice Science Issues Through NGSS Science & Engineering Practice 8.

Getting Keyed Up for the ChemEd 2025 Keynote Speaker Series!

The keynote speakers at this year’s conference are exceptional!  We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Kit Chapman, the author of “Superheavy” and “Racing Green.” He will be coming across the pond from Edinburgh to discuss the power of storytelling. We look forward to him spilling the tea about scientific history. Dr. Ron Furstenau, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, will be talking about his love of rocket science, which started at the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (AFRPL) in California, to an astronautical engineering course in rocket propulsion at the United States Air Force Academy.  Dr. Joslynn Lee is an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. Her current research includes bioinformatics in a course-based research experience targeted for American Indian and Alaskan Native students. Dr. Lee integrates her personal indigenous cultural perspective into her everyday teaching of chemistry in high school and undergraduate classrooms. 

Registration and Housing for ChemEd 2025

Now is the time to register!  Your registration includes access to all keynote sessions, workshops, socials, and other conference events. Please note that lodging and some extras are not included and may require additional fees. These optional add-ons include campus lodging and lunches, T-shirts, and local tours. If you haven’t participated in the Mole Run before, you should give it a chance. The event does require pre-registration, but don’t worry, you can run, jog, or walk! The Mole Day breakfast also requires separate registration, and they both begin at 6:02 am, but you do not have to register for one to attend the other. 

Early-bird registration ($375 USD) runs from March 1 to May 1, 2025, followed by regular registration ($475 USD) from May 2 to June 20, 2025. Late or on-site registration ($575 USD) will be available from June 21 through the start of the conference. Guest registration, which includes access to social events only, is available for $150 USD per guest (adult or child).

Once registered, be sure to allow "no-reply@eventsairmail.com" to ensure you receive important registration updates. ChemEd 2025 is not offering an official kids’ camp; however, local options will be available. Visit the “Campus/Golden” page on the conference website and check the "Kids’ Activities Information" tab for more details.

The next step is setting up housing. Single rooms on campus are available, and reservations include lunch at the campus dining hall to give you the full college experience. Reservations opened on March 1st and will close on Saturday, May 31st. More information about staying on campus can be found on the ChemEd 2025 website. There are also blocks of rooms in hotels in the city of Golden that are available. Booking sooner rather than later is encouraged, as rooms are expected to go quickly! More detailed information can be found by clicking on the travel/lodging tab on the ChemEd 2025 website. 

Highlighted Events of ChemEd 2025

Monday, July 21

• Registration
• Sessions
• The Mole – Storytelling (story proposal submissions)

Tuesday, July 22

• Mole Run
• Sessions
• “The Mole”

Wednesday, July 23

• Mole Day Breakfast
• Sessions
• Gala BBQ

Consider Sharing Your Story in The Mole Storytelling Event

Wondering about the Mole Storytelling submission link? The Mole Storytelling event is when we come together to listen to attendees share their personal stories focused on a theme. This year’s theme is Mining for Nuggets of Chemical Education. Do you have a story that you would like to share? We would love to hear from you! Click on the story proposal submission link and share your story today! 

After a day of sessions, be sure to enjoy the local culture and natural beauty of Golden’s picturesque landscape, providing a perfect balance of professional development and scenic exploration. Whether you're looking to gain new insights into teaching, network with fellow educators, or explore Colorado's stunning outdoors, ChemEd 2025 offers something for everyone. Come join us for ChemEd 2025!