Green Chemistry
in the High School
featuring curriculum
"For Teachers, By Teachers"
The High School level Green Chemistry lesson plans from Beyond Benign are designed to give teachers the tools to both do and teach green chemistry in their classrooms. In the lessons below teachers will find replacement labs for their core content area teaching which they can use to do green chemistry and lessons which introduce the 12 principles of green chemistry along with labs inspired by industry examples and current research which can be used to teach green chemistry.
What is Green Chemistry?
- "Writing the Principles" - Use a fun lab-based simulation to introduce the 12 principles of green chemistry in an accessible way.
Download: [doc] - "The Footprint of a Chemistry Teacher" – Understand the concept of chemical footprint and why every time we use potentially hazardous chemicals we are exposing ourselves to hazard.
Download: [doc] [ppt] - "Environmental Impact Factor" – Understand the concept of Environmental Impact Factor, how to calculate it and how to use it in evaluation of household products and chemical processes.
Download: [doc] - "Lifecycle and Sustainability Analysis" – Discover how to use a lifecycle analysis and the sustainability triangle to evaluate a product or process for ‘green’.
Download: [doc]
Green Chemistry in Industry
- "VBT" – Bio-inspired Polymers: Students learn about a new technology to make the manufacturing of small electronics safer. [doc]
- "Dye-Sensitized Blackberry Solar Cell"
Download: [doc] - "Essential Oil Extraction Using Liquid CO2" - Students explore ways to extract essential oils from citrus fruits and evaluate the methods used against the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry.
Download: [doc] - "TAML Industry Example" - Students explore a Presidential Green Chemistry Award winning technology while looking at the difference between hard and soft water and the concept of a catalyst.
Download: [doc] [ppt] - "Sea-nine 211 Industry Example" - Students perform an LD50 lab, connecting this concept to a Presidential Green Chemistry Award winning technology used as an antifoulant.
Download: [doc][ppt] - "Petretec Industry Example" - Students practice molecular model building and Lewis dot structures while considering a common plastic material and a more benign Presidential Green Chemistry Award winning technology.
Download: [doc] [ppt] - "Recycling Polylactic Acid" - Students learn how to take a renewable product, a PLA plastic cup, and extend its usefulness by converting the cup into a cleaning solution.
Download: [doc] - "Climate Change Chemistry" - In this unit students consider the chemistry behind the concept of climate change while exploring gases and gas laws.
Download: [doc] [ppt] - "Green Chemistry, Biomimicry and Intermolecular Forces" - Students explore the use of adhesives, wetability and how biomimicry is being used by chemists to invent greener alternatives.
Download: [intro doc] [lesson doc] [ppt] - "Chemistry of Cosmetics" - Students look at the materials used to make common cosmetics products. They look at the molecular structure of organic compounds and whether the shape of the molecule matters to the toxicity and potential health hazards that have been associated with cosmetic ingredients.
Download: [doc] [ppt] [Naming Molecules ppt] - "Synthesis of Biodiesel" - Students consider the properties of different oils used to make biodiesel and then make their own fuel.
Download: [doc]
Green Chemistry as Invention:
Project-Based Learning Activities
Green Chemistry Replacement Laboratory Exercises
- Acids, Bases and pH: Students will measure the pH using a pH meter, pH or litmus paper, and/or indicators. Categorize or Group substances based on physical properties and observe physical properties of acids and bases.
Download: [doc] - Catalysts and Oxygen: This lab replaces MnO2 Manganese Dioxide catalytic reaction. To demonstrate the effect of a catalyst on a chemical. Students will explain the concept of a catalyst and reaction rates, understand how a catalyst can improve the efficiency of a process, recognize that a chemical reaction involves reactants and products which may differ from each other and recognize that the products of the reaction will be benign.
Download: [doc] - Enthalpy of Combustion: Investigating the molar heat of combustion of paraffin, C25H52, compared to soy wax. Students will be able to measure the thermal heat absorbed by water, measure the heat of combustion of paraffin and soy wax and calculate the molar heat of combustion of paraffin.
Download: [doc] - Equilibrium/Le Chatelier's principle: This lesson gives students an understanding of the concept of chemical equilibrium and to demonstrate Le Chatelier’s Principle.
Download: [doc] - Exothermic and Endothermic: Many teachers use the calcium chloride and ammonium nitrate reaction to show exothermic and endothermic reactions. This alternative method uses a catalase, a common enzyme found in nearly all living organisms.
Students will perform an exothermic reaction, an endothermic reaction and a change in enthalpy (∆H) in an endothermic reaction.
Download: [doc] - Moles, Atoms and Grams oh my!: This lesson practices the concept of the mole and the calculations involved in understanding how moles are used. Not all of the materials used are totally benign but the set up is 100% reusable.
Download: [doc] - Solubility: In this lesson students will qualitatively and quantitatively describe the relationship between temperature and solubility for gases and solids. Many high school labs utilize soluble ionic solids, such as nitrate or chloride salts. The disposal of these compounds will have a negative impact on an aquatic environment. Introduction of a nitrate into an ecosystem causes a spike in algal growth and a ripple effect is felt up the food chain, or in worse case scenario eutrophication can occur. By switching the solvent to sucrose, we are utilizing a natural product that is produced naturally in all ecosystems and is benign to the environment.
Download: [doc] - Sublimation: This lab replaces the traditional naphthalene sublimation lab that teachers use. Students will observe sublimation (physical properties of matter) and explain the type of change that occurred.
Download: [doc] - Reactions Lab: In this lesson students will observe reactions and identify the type and products produced in those reactions and to compare reactions for their toxicity and use the 12 principles of green chemistry to examine critically the use of materials in a chemistry class.
Download: [doc]
To get these lessons, and for any questions about the content or use of these teaching materials please contact .
All Green Chemistry lessons and teaching materials are provided exclusively to teachers under a Creative Commons license.
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Green Chemistry & Sustainable Science
Curriculum Institutes
*Update*
the High School Green Chemistry Curriculum Summer Institute is full
August 2010
The Green Chemistry in the High School workshop provides high school level science educators with a process to revolutionize the way they deliver current chemistry content. The teacher designed and classroom tested curriculum units infuse sustainability concepts and the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry into the classroom.
What to expect from this workshop
- Three full days of intensive training
- Earn professional development points and/or apply towards college course credits
- Expert advice and guidance from Beyond Benign education staff and Green Chemists from the Warner-Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry
- Food, workshop session and materials are included
- Ready to use lesson plans including all resources, presentations and student sheets
- Meet new teachers from your state and form partnerships to implement green chemistry
- Keynote speech from Dr. John Warner—author of the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry & founder of the field
Sign up to learn about upcoming opportunities
About the Summer Institute in Massachusetts
High School CurriculaMiddle School Curricula
Geener Education Materials (GEMs) is an interactive collection of chemistry education materials focused on green chemistry. Green Chemistry is the redesign of chemical transformations and processes to reduce or eliminate the use of materials that are hazardous to human health and the environment.
The database is designed as a comprehensive resource of education materials including laboratory exercises, lecture materials, course syllabi and multimedia content that illustrate chemical concepts important for green chemistry. Each entry includes a description of the item and is searchable by a variety of parameters, including chemistry concepts, laboratory techniques, green chemistry principles, and target audience. Database entries incorporate both published and unpublished materials.
The Green Chemistry Education Network (GC Ed Net) serves as a catalyst for integrating green chemistry in chemical education at all levels. As a network of educators we support opportunities to research, develop, implement and disseminate green educational materials. The GC Ed Net reaches out to all chemistry educators through collaboration and mentoring, facilitating professional growth, and fostering the synergistic integration of green chemistry in education.
Google Map: Mapping the Worldwide Green Chemistry Community
Looking for a green chemistry contact in your area? Consult the recently updated Green Chemistry Google map, listing over 400 individuals and organizations worldwide. Currently, 75% of the map population works at an academic institution with 15% working in industry. While most of the work focuses on education and/or research, 25% of the community list outreach activities as a significant component of their work. The map project was initiated at the University of Oregon and its growth and success is the result of an amazing three-year partnership with the green chemistry community. Use the link below to add yourself to the map by selecting the the "Instructions" link located in the upper right hand corner of the map page. We know you are out there, please help us make the invisible...visible.
Quick Reference, Handouts & Posters
- What is Green Chemistry? - Flyer
- Green Chemistry...Of Course - Mini-Poster
- the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry - Poster
(Some materials are provided in PDF format)
For more curricula, visit the website of our Biomimicry partners!
The Biomimicry Institute is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to nurture and grow a global community of people who are learning from, emulating, and conserving life's genius to create a healthier, more sustainable planet.
Learn More