The ACS 150-year commitment to lifelong learning

Education: the light and path to a fulfilling future and the way to a legacy of achievers. The current political climate has many students, faculty, and researchers concerned about how they will prepare for—or continue—their careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields. The following is not the Comment I had planned to write a month or even a week ago, but as a society, we must keep pace with the ever-changing needs of our members at all stages of their careers. This year, the American Chemical Society launched its new strategic plan that reaffirms its mission to advance scientific knowledge, with one of its four core values being lifelong learning, which includes promoting equitable access to science education, resources, and career pathways. Fulfilling the strategic goal of empowering scientists embodies our commitment to fostering accessible science education and continuous learning to enable all people to make informed decisions and address global challenges. ACS designed this mission, core value, and strategic goal to provide a path to success for everyone in our worldwide community.An example of ACS’s commitment to education is Project SEED, a deep-rooted education program established in 1968 for high school students. Project SEED offers opportunities for economically disadvantaged students to begin a focus on chemistry in high school and to be the first in their families to attend college. This program has been successful, with over 85% of the students attending college and more than 60% majoring in chemistry-related fields. Project SEED has grown and diversified its