ChemMatters Archive
ChemMatters is produced by the American Chemical Society in October, December, February, and April. The archive gives you access to all of ChemMatters’ past articles, dating back to February 1983. The most recently released issue is available through a complimentary subscription, if you chose to receive one when you joined AACT.
For recent articles, issues, or available teacher’s guides visit acs.org/ChemMatters.
AACT members can access the archive and generate a Student Pass that gives their students access to the articles. Available Teacher’s Guides can also be found next to the corresponding issue and article in the archive.
Search for Articles
Use the filters in the Filter by: section to search for an archived article by title, keyword, month, and/or year.
Pro Tips:
- Read about the ChemMatters Archives’ updates!
- To view an article’s ChemMatters Issue, click on the Issue Date link.
Filter by:
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Black Walnuts: An Unusual Forest TreatNaturalist Andy Saunders reveals how a childhood snack is secretly a chemical powerhouse.
Issue Date | April 2026
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Chemistry in Person: A Self-Starter Finds Passion in Nature’s ChemistryRead about Kelcie Walther’s unconventional path into fungus research and science communication.
Issue Date | April 2026
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Natural Products ChemistryFlowers, trees and shrubs contain medicines like aspirin, morphine and atropine. Chemists have found ways to make them from simple starting materials like glucose so that plants don’t need to be killed for their gifts.
Issue Date | April 2026
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Quick Read: Dinner to SoilIssue Date | April 2026
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The Forest: The Ultimate Chemistry LaboratoryAround a campfire, first-year students discover that science doesn’t stop at the lab door.
Issue Date | April 2026
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The Great American Firefly HarvestWhy kids armed with nets and jars caught 90 million fireflies—and why they stopped.
Issue Date | April 2026
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Wood Chemistry: Tracking Illegal Logging Using ForensicsWood may seem simple – just trees turned into boards – but inside every piece of wood is a chemical record of its life.
Issue Date | April 2026
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Can Mushrooms Save the Planet?Just below your feet as you wander through the forest is a cache of fibrous material: mycelium. Mycelium is the living roots that connect mushroom caps to the material they grow on. Mycelium can be used to make leather alternatives, caskets and windmills.
Issue Date | February 2026
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Chemistry in Person: Simplifying Science onto a ScreenWith more than 1.5 million subscribers and over 160 million channel views, it could be said that Tyler DeWitt’s videos on YouTube have helped many people understand chemistry in a nontraditional way. He works at the intersection of technology, science and education.
Issue Date | February 2026
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Crochet Chemistry: Chemistry Shapes Every StitchFrom polymers to dye molecules, the chemistry behind the art of crochet determines everything from the feel of the final product to its color.
Issue Date | February 2026
Generate a Student Pass
Teacher Members, use a Student Pass to give your students 7 days of access to our locked member-only videos, animations, and archived articles of ChemMatters Magazine.
Learn about Student PassAbout ChemMatters Magazine
Published four times a year since February 1983, ChemMatters Magazine is an award-winning high school chemistry magazine from the American Chemical Society that helps students demystify chemistry and make connections to the world around them. AACT members receive a complimentary subscription.
Learn MoreJoin AACT
Discover how an AACT membership enhances your experience in the chemistry classroom. Join now to access a wealth of resources, professional development, and other member benefits. Members have access to the archive and can generate a Student Pass.
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