Iota Sigma Pi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Iota Sigma Pi |
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ΙΣΠ | |
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Founded | 1902 University of California |
Type | Honor |
Affiliation | PFA (former) and ACHS (former) |
Emphasis | Women in Chemistry |
Scope | National |
Colors | White, Gold and Cedar green |
Flower | White Narcissus |
Publication | The Iotan |
Chapters | 23 active 46 installed |
Members | 11,000 lifetime |
Headquarters | c/o Margaret Workman, Editor DePaul University 1110 W. Belden Ave. Room 203 Chicago, IL 60614 US |
Iota Sigma Pi (which sounds like "Eye-oh-tah Sig-mah Pee") is a special group in the United States. It's an honor society for women who are interested in science, especially chemistry. This group started way back in 1902. Its main goal is to help women grow and succeed in science careers. They also celebrate the amazing things women achieve in chemistry!
Contents
Discovering Iota Sigma Pi: A Chemistry Honor Society
How Iota Sigma Pi Started
Back when Iota Sigma Pi began, women often didn't get enough credit for their scientific work. Because of this, women started creating their own awards. These awards helped show off their skills and achievements. This was important for their future jobs and studies.
The national society was officially formed in 1902. A brilliant woman named Agnes Faye Morgan started it. She was a leader at the University of California, Berkeley. She helped bring chemistry into home economics classes. Agnes Faye Morgan stayed involved with the society for her whole life. She especially focused on research.
Goals of the Society
Iota Sigma Pi had clear goals from the start. They wanted to encourage women to study chemistry in college. They also aimed to help women achieve great things in chemistry. The society worked to support its members in their studies, jobs, and social lives.
Growing Across the Country
After it began, Iota Sigma Pi quickly grew. New groups, called chapters, opened at other universities. One of the first was at the University of Washington around 1910. The society even started holding meetings with the American Chemical Society. In the 1930s, a group for male chemists, Phi Lambda Upsilon, asked to join with Iota Sigma Pi. But Iota Sigma Pi decided to stay independent.
For a short time, Iota Sigma Pi was part of the Association of College Honor Societies. This happened in 1955. However, they later chose to leave and operate on their own.
Awards for Amazing Chemists
Iota Sigma Pi gives out several awards. These awards celebrate the achievements of women in chemistry. They recognize both professional chemists and students.
Top Awards for Professionals
The highest award is the National Honorary Member. This award goes to female chemists who have done something truly amazing in their field. Winners receive a certificate and $1500. Some famous winners include Marie Sklodowska-Curie, Gerti Cori, and Dorothy Hodgkin. These women made huge discoveries in chemistry!
The Violet Diller Professional Excellence Award is named after a past leader of the society. It honors achievements in many areas of chemistry. This includes work in schools, government, or industry. The winner gets a certificate and $1000. Joan P. Lambros was the first person to receive this award in 1984.
The Agnes Fay Morgan Research Award celebrates women who have done great research. This award is for work in chemistry or biochemistry.
The Centennial Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching is for excellent teachers. It goes to those who are great at teaching chemistry or similar subjects. To qualify, teachers must spend most of their time teaching college students. They receive a certificate and $500.
Awards for Students
Awards for Graduate Students
The Anna Louise Hoffman Award for Outstanding Achievement in Graduate Research is for students doing amazing chemical research. To win, you must be a full-time graduate student. The award includes a certificate and $500.
Awards for College Students
There are two Undergraduate Excellence in Chemistry awards. One of these awards must go to a student who is the first in their family to attend college. Winners get a certificate and $500.
The Gladys Anderson Emerson Undergraduate Scholarship helps female students. It is for Iota Sigma Pi members studying chemistry or biochemistry. This scholarship gives $2000 and a certificate.
The Members-at-Large Re-entry Award is for students returning to chemistry studies. This award is for those who have been away from school for over three years. It comes with a $1500 prize and a certificate.
Awards for High School Students
The Outstanding Young Women in Chemistry award is for high school students. It celebrates young women who show great skill in chemistry.