They created the Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy – which has come to be known as Pittcon. Today, Pittcon is one of the largest and most comprehensive laboratory science tradeshows in the world – a space where scientists gather, while supporting science education and outreach. 

For the first time in its illustrious history, Pittcon will take place in Boston, from March 1-5, 2025.  

Philanthropy at the core of Pittcon

Pittcon’s mission has always been to foster educational excellence and scientific advances. One of Pittcon’s promises is to fund the next generation of scientists, while fulfilling participants’ own dreams. Pittcon achieves its mission by dedicating over 90 percent of its net profit each year to supporting primary and secondary education, continuing education initiatives, scholarships, grants, laboratory enhancements, and outreach activities. 

Over the last 75+ years, Pittcon has been run by 7,500 volunteers, averaging around 100 volunteers stepping up each year to make the event a success.

“I think what makes Pittcon special for me is our science outreach,” said Don Antczak, Pittcon 2026 president, in an interview with IFLScience. “The fact that we do Pittcon in order to give money to schools – that’s elementary schools, colleges, and universities. That is our whole mission: promote science education.” 

During its incredible history, Pittcon has donated roughly $50 million to advancing science education and inspired more than 1 million future scientists through its programs and outreach.

Grants that transform education and careers

Pittcon funds a wide variety of projects designed to empower future generations. Each year, educators, researchers, and professionals can apply for grants aimed at advancing education and innovation. These grants support everything from K-12 classrooms to universities and professional development programs. By providing critical funding, Pittcon helps change the course of education and opens doors to transformative career opportunities.

“I’m extremely lucky in which I had the opportunity to apply for and receive a small equipment grant from the SSP,” Jordan Boothe, assistant professor of biochemistry at the University of Pittsburgh Greensburg Campus, told IFLScience. 

“What that meant for us is that we were able to take a bunch of decades of outdated spectrophotometers and be able to replace that entire class set. […] That updated and newer equipment means that we can provide a better service to our students and also means that we have the opportunity to take and prepare our students for the future.” 

Thanks to grants like these, Pittcon continues to bridge gaps in educational resources, ensuring that students and professionals have access to the tools they need to thrive in the ever-evolving world of science.

Celebrating excellence through awards

Every year, Pittcon also celebrates the brilliance of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their fields. These prestigious awards honor students, teachers, and professionals who are carefully selected by qualified committee members.

“I’m here as the award participant for the Pittsburgh spectroscopy award. So that is something very special to me,” Professor Vicki Grassian, 2024 Pittsburgh Spectroscopy Awardee, told IFLScience.  

“It says that my research group has done a good job in really developing the world of spectroscopy and applying it to what we call environmental interfaces that can impact air quality and water quality. So it is really great to be here and represent the research that we have been doing for the past 25 years.”   

Through these awards, Pittcon not only celebrates innovation but also shines a spotlight on the people driving progress in science, education, and research.    

Bridging science and education through outreach

Pittcon opens doors to a world of outreach opportunities, sparking inspiration in the next generation of scientists. Pittcon provides plenty of events aimed at students. For example, the Pittcon Planetarium, a portable planetarium, allows students to observe the sky, various constellations, and individual stars or planets right here on Earth at any time of year. 

The annual Faraday Lecture is another highlight, presented by prominent educators and scientists to demonstrate chemistry and physics to middle and high school students. 

For teachers, there are a range of opportunities to help improve their classrooms. The “Light, Color, and Spectroscopy for Kids” workshop is an annual event for elementary and middle school teachers. Its goal is to help teachers create a large, bright visible spectrum in their classroom, making science more interesting and accessible for all students. 

Another offering is the Computer Software Workshop for high school chemistry and physics teachers. This workshop focuses on data manipulation. Teachers even get to keep all the software discussed in the workshop for their own classrooms. 

Whether you’re a student, educator, researcher, or professional, Pittcon 2025 promises to be more than just a conference and exposition – it’s an investment in the future of science. 

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to give back and be part of something truly groundbreaking.

To register, click here!

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