Safe and Sustainable Chemistry Activities: Fostering a Culture of Safety in K–12 and Community Outreach Programs

Abstract

Green chemistry provides unique opportunities for student engagement through K−12 and community outreach. As a platform for safe, engaging outreach, green chemistry activities allow for hands-on approaches to introducing science and chemistry concepts in informal settings. Green chemistry outreach also is a means for American Chemical Society (ACS) student chapters to earn recognition as a green chemistry student chapter through the ACS student chapter awards. Beyond Benign's College Student Fellows program is highlighted as an example of training college students in green chemistry outreach to promote K−12 and college student engagement. The University of New England (UNE) and Colby College provide examples of college student engagement through different outreach settings. This article outlines the many benefits of utilizing green chemistry activities through K−12 and community outreach, including creating a safe environment for student engagement, creating habits-of-mind for college students, and engaging K−12 students in safer, greener chemistry experiments and activities.

Safer and Greener Polymer Demonstrations for STEM Outreach

“…Neither is it meant to scuttle the slime-making fun of the thousands of youngsters who enjoy “slime time.” This Perspective is written to urge every individual and institution to move away from making physically harmful, nonreusable polymers that are environmentally damaging and to encourage a movement toward making polymer materials that yet provide educational opportunities while having a minimal negative impact on human health and the environment. This focus comes as part of a broader shift in STEM education in which the fun and engaging science demonstrations also present opportunities to educate about preserving and protecting the planet. , Today we know that many types of homemade polymers (e.g., slimes) can be damaging to both the environment and to the physical well-being of people who make and handle them . Therefore, it is time to update the polymer education curriculum by using less harmful polymer recipes.…”

Engaging K–8 Preservice Science Teachers through an NGSS-Based Climate Change Project

“…To achieve this goal, it is critical for teacher preparation programs at the university level to shift their instruction to prepare preservice science teachers to teach science aligned with the Framework and NGSS . Specific ways and resources are needed to prepare high-quality preservice science teachers at college, − which can help them prepare and implement NGSS-based activities in their future classrooms. Most recently, the California K–8 Next Generation Science Standards Early Implementers Initiative suggests that elementary grades (K–5) implement NGSS as a core subject and provides the preferred integrated model for grades 6–8 to implement NGSS .…”

Cleaning Our World through Green Chemistry: Introducing High School Students to the Principles of Green Chemistry Using a Case-Based Learning Module

“…Green chemistry has the capacity to provide these experiences. Green chemistry also embodies systems thinking by setting standards that affect not only chemical reactions but also the environment and individuals with whom those chemicals come into contact . Green chemistry lab techniques offer a safer alternative to wet laboratories in teaching K–12 audiences .…”

“…Green chemistry also embodies systems thinking by setting standards that affect not only chemical reactions but also the environment and individuals with whom those chemicals come into contact . Green chemistry lab techniques offer a safer alternative to wet laboratories in teaching K–12 audiences . Teaching green chemistry in the classroom will create citizens who are knowledgeable about pollution-prevention concepts, which gives them the ability to identify, develop, and implement techniques that reduce pollution.…”