It is important for chemists to ensure the future of the chemical sciences through the education and motivation of the next generation.  The Millennials, those born after 1982, are showing substantial changes in behavior and demographics relative to earlier generations.  Key findings based on the focus groups conducted by Wirthlin Woldwide on behalf of the American Chemical Society will be reported.  The primary objective of this research was to understand how best to communicate the benefits of pursuing a science career and especially a career in chemistry to Millennials.  Based on 12 focus groups in three locations across the country (Baltimore, Cincinnati, and  Orange County, California, the study draws several important conclusions about communicating science to this generation.  This study was developed for communication to the public by the ACS Committee on Public Relations and Communications (CPRC).

Russell W. Johnson serves on the Committee for Public Relations and Communications, the Council of the American Chemical Society, and for a second time as the Chair of the ACS Chicago Section. In his "day job," he works for Honeywell International as Corporate Fellow, the highest technical level at the company.  He is also Chief Scientist, Demilitarization Technology.  He has led the technology development effort for the company in demilitarization of propellants, explosives, and chemical agents.  Dr. Johnson has worked across the corporation in aerospace, air purification, emission control, chemicals, fluorochemicals, petrochemicals and fuels over the last 31 years.  He has received 48 patents and has a large number of technical publications.  Dr. Johnson earned a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Minnesota and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Colorado. Dr. Johnson's area of specialty is in applying catalysis and separations to chemical process technology.  He was awarded American Chemical Society Heroes of Chemistry Award in 1997 for efforts in the area of environmentally sound manufacturing and demilitarization. 

Updated 8/3/05