(NAPSA)—Aposter contest asking students to show the many ways by which chemical elements affect daily life is getting a good reaction from kindergartners to 12th graders. As part of the National Chemistry Week (NCW)celebration, the American Chemical Society invites students in grades K-12 to create a poster celebrating the theme “Chemistry—It’s Elemental!” The poster should be fun, motivational and inspire students to learn about one or more elementsin the periodic table. The elements are the basis of the entire universe and an important part of everyday life. They are the carbon in diamonds, tungsten in lightbulbs, copper in wire and tubing used for cooling applications, neon in neon lights and helium in helium balloons. And these are just a few of the more than 100 elements. The year 2009 is the 140th anniversary of Mendeleev’s Periodic Table of the Elements and the celebration provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the role that elements play in everyday life. Posters can explore: The history of an element or elements; Common and not-so-common usesof elements; The history of the Periodic Table. There will be prizes in each of the following categories: grades K2,3-5,6-8and9- 12. The first-place prize is $100 and second-placeis $50. All entries must be original works without aid from others and must be no larger than 14 x 22 inches. Entries must be hand A poster contest asks students to get creative and explore the important role that chemicals play in everydaylife. drawn using crayons, paint, colored pencils or markers. Each year, National Chemistry Week reaches millions of people with positive messages about the contributions of chemistry. Anyone can join the celebration and not just through contests. Have you ever played Sudoku? Chemdokuis a game based on the sameprinciples, but it uses chemical symbols instead of numbersor letters. No prior chemistry knowledge is required, but you may be surprised at what you'll learn by playing. Just place chemical symbols in squares, using very simple rules of logic to help you narrow down the possible answers that can go in each empty box. It can be played by children and adults andthe rules are simple to learn. For further contest rules, games, and information about other NCW activities, www.acs.org/new. visit
