We report a series of experiments based upon cinnamon oil that were developed to provide a practical integration of green and sustainable chemistry concepts for the organic chemistry laboratory. Five experiments centering around cinnamaldehyde as a green, plant-based chemical were performed by undergraduate students in a second-year organic chemistry class. Cinnamon oil was obtained through hydrodistillation, and cinnamaldehyde was used to demonstrate the use of a secondary metabolite in chemistry laboratories. Subsequently, a reduction reaction, aldol reaction, and Schiff base formation were carried out. Through these experiments, students are able to practice techniques such as thin-layer chromatography, column chromatography, recrystallization, and measurement of melting points along with UV, FTIR, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Microscale practices were employed in each of the reactions, and microscale column chromatography was used for purifications. The final experiment was an antimicrobial activity assessment of cinnamon oil and the cinnamaldehyde derivatives obtained from the previous experiments. Along with an interdisciplinary component, students were exposed to sunscreen chemistry and were led to consider the many uses of each product obtained. These experiments were based upon a single, inexpensive plant metabolite and biobased material to educate students about green chemistry and its practical applications in the undergraduate laboratory.

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed pressure on institutions, and especially instructors, to deliver course content in innovative ways, often with limited resources. In face-to-face learning, many chemistry instructors value inquiry-based learning with real-world applications. These types of learning activities cultivate student interest and, thus, motivate students to achieve their best. However, inquirybased learning can be more challenging in an online environment, especially given limited resources and preparation time. This paper describes an inquiry-based laboratory demonstration that is inexpensive and easy to conduct outside of the traditional laboratory setting and yet provides a valuable learning experience for second-semester organic chemistry students. In this activity, students apply their knowledge of chemistry to the proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids in bovine milk, studying the casein protein, lactose, fatty acids, and more. Students complete a pre-lab assignment individually, watch prerecorded demonstrations via the Zoom video-conferencing platform, and complete a guided inquiry worksheet in groups, via breakout rooms. These activities help students review concepts such as solubility, hydrogen bonding, and acidity and invite them to apply new material on carbonyl chemistry, hydrolysis, and the relationship between protein structure and function. Because this learning activity challenges students to explore real-world implications, it deepens their understanding of the intricate interplay between organic chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology and thus prepares them for further scientific inquiry in these areas.

This paper revisits the tie-dyeing process through a bioinspired and safer alternative to nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) reactions for an introductory organic chemistry laboratory. The simple and straightforward experiment provides students with an opportunity to gain practical experience in conducting a chemical reaction in a real-world context while applying concepts of design for biodegradability and reusability. The water-soluble reactive dye that replaces the use of a conventional SNAr substrate does not require any heavy metals, toxic substances, or mordants but utilizes a much less toxic and safer sodium carbonate to generate the cellulosate nucleophile. This reaction generates no waste, and the end-product, the tie-dyed T-shirt, is reusable and biodegradable. Through this experiment, students can see connections between chemistry and environmental health while gaining a practical insight into dyeing chemistry, making use of a systems thinking approach. This experiment serves not only to employ safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals in the undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory but also to educate students to recognize the relevance and importance of applying green chemistry wherever it is possible, emphasizing life cycle thinking and stewardship.

Although most instructors and institutions agree on its value, undergraduate research remains an underutilized pedagogical tool because it requires ample time, funding, and equipment. Various institutions feel these pressures differently, but for many small institutions, lack of laboratory equipment and financial support can hinder undergraduate research projects. However, these institutions have much to gain from undergraduate research, especially as it offers benefits not only for students but also for faculty. For small institutions, although the principle applies to larger institutions as well, green chemistry offers a promising way forward: undergraduate research projects focusing on green chemistry have all the benefits of other undergraduate research projects but can be undertaken with minimal infrastructure and reduced cost. As an added benefit, they can help to reinforce the values of safety and sustainability for future chemists. This paper offers an example of a successful undergraduate research project in chemistry in a small liberal arts university and demonstrates how a project in green chemistry can make research-based learning feasible even in institutions with limited resources. Specifically, this project focuses on the development of a bioinspired, environmentally friendly wound-care product derived from chitosan and two naturally occurring aldehydes, citronellal and cinnamaldehyde. In this project, the student researcher prepared two chitosan Schiff bases using citronellal and cinnamaldehyde and then characterized and evaluated the antimicrobial properties of these products. Results suggest that both Schiff bases are highly bioactive and could indeed have value in wound-care. This project has scientific benefit, of course, but it also has pedagogical merits, showing how green chemistry can enable institutions to offer valuable undergraduate research opportunities with limited funding and infrastructure. This paper concludes with suggestions for related (and feasible) undergraduate research projects in green chemistry.

Background: High-value healthcare focuses on improving healthcare to produce cost effective care, however limited information on the role of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) exists. Purpose: This descriptive report describes APRN-led initiatives implemented as part of a national collaborative promoting the Choosing Wisely Ò campaign and high-value care measures. Method: An APRN national collaborative focuses on developing and implementing high-value care initiatives. Monthly calls, podcasts, and a file sharing platform are used to facilitate the work of the national collaborative. Findings: A total of 16 APRN teams from 14 states are participating and have implemented a number of initiatives to reduce unnecessary testing and treatments, promote appropriate antibiotic use, and promote optimal clinical practices such as mobility for hospitalized elderly patients, among others. Discussion: A national collaborative has proven to be a successful way to engage APRN teams to focus on targeting high-value care and promoting evidencebased practices in clinical care.