NESACS 2026 Norris Award Meeting

to

Professor of Chemistry

School of Chemistry and Materials Science

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Board Meeting (hybrid, separate link sent by email if interest) - Simmons University, Main Building, Knight Board Room, A-120

The following are all at The Linda K. Paresky Conference Center, on the 3rd floor of the Main Building at Simmons University.

5:30 pm – 6:15 pm Reception

6:15 pm – 7:30 pm Dinner

7:30 pm – 8:45 pm Presentation of the 2026 James Flack Norris Award and Address:

"Rethinking how we teach organic chemistry: Innovations afforded by universal design"

Abstract:

Using sign language to convey a concept is a powerful way for students to think about the electron pushing formalisms we write on paper and recognize mechanistic trends. Using our hands as models transforms the two-dimensional static framework of writing symbolic drawings on our page into 3-D opportunities for students to conceptualize a molecule or even a transition state. The Sign Language Incorporation in Chemistry Education (SLICE) project was initiated by a group of faculty and Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH) students at the Rochester Institute of Technology to address the language vacuum of STEM signs in organic chemistry. The result of our work has had a positive impact on the classroom culture and performance gains of D/HH students taking the organic chemistry courses. Now, efforts have begun to explore the impact of universal design across all students in the organic chemistry curriculum.

Dress is dressy casual. Suggestions include: Dresses, nicer outfits with a dressy top, seasonal sports coats, dress shirt, poslished polo shirt, tie optional.

Please select your dinner option on the Order Form.

For directions to Simmons University please visit:

Directions to Simmons

Parking for the event is available in the parking garage on campus (for an additional fee) or on the street, but may be limited and those able to take public transportation are strongly encouraged to do so.

Visitors traveling by MBTA can take the Green Line E to the Museum of Fine Arts station, which is just a short 5-minute walk from campus. Those arriving by train or bus can connect through South Station to the Green Line E.

If driving, visitors should use as the GPS destination for the Simmons parking garage. There is some construction in this area so signage might be hard to see. Access to the venue building directly from the garage is only possible from the first level parking and this may be full. If so, please go up the stairs/elevator from any level to the lobby level and go across the green space to the main building and proceed up the elevators/stairs within that building to the 3rd floor. You will have to go up two elevators or two plus sets of stairs from the green to reach the conference center. Public transportation is recommended, as traffic in the Fenway/Longwood area can be heavy during peak hours.

Please use exteme care entering and exiting the garage from the street and from the alley.

Please advise of any parking requests in the order form. Though parking is limited and we may not be able to accommodate all requests.

Can't join in person? Register for the livestream here:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/5Ei0fquuQfqk_HZ_ce989g