What’s Happening This Week!

Welcome to a weekly drop from That Black Chemist!

The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) is launching its SURIEA summer research program, offering undergraduates a paid 8–10 week immersive experience in acoustics. Participants will work closely with mentors, receive a $5,000 stipend, and gain access to professional development and ASA conferences.

Meanwhile, advances in flow battery research are pushing large-scale energy storage closer to reality. Scientists are developing new chemistries and system designs that improve efficiency, durability, and cost, positioning flow batteries as a key solution for storing renewable energy from solar and wind.

Stay tuned for more science updates and opportunities from That Black Chemist!

Upcoming Opportunities

🔊 SURIEA Summer Research Program in Acoustics (ASA)

The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) is launching its SURIEA paid summer undergraduate research program, offering students an 8–10 week immersive experience in acoustics. Participants will work closely with expert mentors on real-world acoustics research while building professional skills through networking, training, and conference participation. The program is designed to support students who have faced barriers to STEM opportunities and are curious about the science and technology of sound.

📅 Program Details

• Stipend: $5,000 

• Program Dates: May 28 – August 7, 2026 (8–10 weeks)

• Time Commitment: ~40 hours per week

• Format: In-person research + virtual cohort meetings

• Register Here: [Website]

✅ Eligibility

• Currently enrolled undergraduate (2- or 4-year institution, including community colleges)

• Completed at least two semesters of college by summer 2026

• At least 18 years old at program start

• U.S. citizen and eligible to work in the U.S. without restriction

⚠️ Bonus Opportunities You Should Know

• 🧪 NSF REU Summer Research Programs: List of funded undergrad research programs. (Search here)

• 🎓 Zintellect: List of scholarships, research fellowships, and internship opportunities funded by the U.S. government or private sector. (Search here)

• 💰 NASA OSTEM Internships: List of NASA Internships for high school and undergraduate STEM students. (More info)

• 🪖 Department of Defense (DoD) SMART Scholarship: $30,000-$46,000 scholarship awarded to top STEM students. (Link)

🌍 International Opportunities

• 🧲 Pathways to Science: List of upcoming internships, scholarships, and research programs hosted by any country [open to international students]. (Search here)

• 🔬 Amgen Scholars Program: Prestigious summer research program for undergraduate students in the U.S., Europe, or Asia. (More info)

• ⚛️ European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN): Search for any upcoming internships related to chemistry, physics, engineering, or data science! (Link here)

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Scientist’s Scroll

🔋 This Tiny Chemistry Change makes Flow Batteries Last far Longer

A new advance in bromine-based flow batteries could remove one of the biggest obstacles to long-lasting, affordable energy storage. Scientists developed a way to chemically capture corrosive bromine during battery operation, keeping its concentration extremely low while boosting energy density through a two-electron reaction. This approach sharply reduces damage to battery components and allows the use of cheaper materials.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

Everyone Sucks at Math—Until they do Science!

It Only takes 3-4 Weeks to Master Algebra for Science & Engineering!

The hardest part about math isn’t the raw calculations: it’s understanding what the math means when rearranging and graphing functions. Many high school algebra and precalculus courses don’t train students to interpret the math from a qualitative perspective which is why many students who are ‘good at math’ struggle in introductory chemistry, physics, and engineering courses.

That’s why I’ve created the Ultimate Algebra Guide for Science & Engineering Majors which covers all of the relevant concepts from algebra, trigonometry, and precalculus courses that are applicable for science & engineering majors condensed into a 700+ page guide!

You will learn how to graph functions with Desmos and GeoGebra before diving into hundreds of pages detailing the relevant math notes along with application-based problems seen in introductory science and engineering courses.

• Click here to access the Ultimate Algebra Guide for Science & Engineering!

Click Here to Access the Algebra Guide!

Confused About Class? Click Here to Book a Tutoring Session with Me!

Tip of the Week

🌱 Reset Your Rhythm After Winter Break

Winter break can throw off routines, sleep schedules, and motivation. The key to a strong spring semester isn’t going full throttle on day one—it’s rebuilding momentum intentionally:

• Start Light, Then Scale: Use the first 1–2 weeks to reestablish study habits, class attendance, and deadlines before pushing maximum productivity.

• Rebuild Your Schedule: Lock in sleep, meals, and class blocks first. A stable daily rhythm makes everything else easier.

• Do a Syllabus Sweep: Identify early assignments, quizzes, and exams so nothing sneaks up on you while you’re still adjusting.

• Lower the Activation Energy: Begin with short, focused work sessions (25–45 minutes). Starting matters more than finishing at this stage.

• Anchor One Win Per Day: Complete one meaningful task daily to rebuild confidence and consistency.

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Today’s Theme: Fact or Fiction Friday

Congratulations on making it through the work week! Ready to test your science savvy?

👇🏾 Vote if you think the statement below is fact or fiction and tell us why in the comments!

Statement: The Ultraviolet Catastrophe was a phenomena in physics where physicists failed to model blackbody radiation using classical laws.

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