Recipe for Sustainable Science
An Introduction to Green Chemistry
in the Middle School.
Offer your students a compelling adventure in Science while introducing them to the innovative and sustainable concepts of Green Chemistry.
The Recipe for Sustainable Science curriculum, based on the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry, is designed to be a simulation of actual business methodology in which students are challenged to manufacture a crayon. It introduces teachers and their students to the topic of Green Chemistry and provides a hands-on inquiry-based unit in which middle level students can explore this emerging approach to chemical manufacturing. This multi-disciplinary curriculum also includes social studies, science, math, and language arts lesson plans and has been specifically designed to implement as a teaching team or through the discipline of your choice. Many thanks to The Keystone Center for their original development for Pfizer of the curriculum.
Begin by reading a more detailed introduction and exploring the suggested lesson delivery schedule. Then download the following individual lesson plans. Please note that the lesson plans are available in both English and Spanish.
Try our visual delivery schedule
(opens in a new window)
Day One
- Defining Sustainability [en Español]
Understand the concept of sustainability - What is Green Chemistry [en Español]
Use PowerPoint to define 12 Principles
of Green Chemistry - Recipe Rescue [en Español]
Make lemonade to understand the
12 Principles of Green Chemistry - Is it easy being green [en Español]
Participate in game show to introduce
crayon simulation - Triangle Triage [en Español]
Introduce the decision making tool
through crayon choice - Totally Cubular [en Español]
- Waste Intro Presentation [en Español]
Day Two
- Lifecycle Lettering [en Español]
Complete lifecycle using an
acrostic poem to understand feedstocks - History of Chemsitry [en Español]
Create a skit of the development
and use of chemicals - Rainbow of Colors [en Español]
Complete lab to develop formula for colors - Synonyms Simplify [en Español]
Use idioms to help define the 12
Principles of Green Chemistry - The World of Chemistry [en Español] [PowerPoint]
Analyze a world without chemistry
Day Three
- Market Research [en Español]
Write surveys to gather information
about final products - Production Practice [en Español]
Begin lab experimentation with materials
for making crayons - The Building Blocks of Green Chemistry [en Español]
Reinforce principles through geometry activity - Your Mission [en Español]
Write company mission statements
Day Four
- Market Research Part Two [en Español]
Give surveys to gather information about final product - Market Research Part Three [en Español]
Graph results and analyze survey results - Oops I Did It Again [en Español]
Study regulations related to the chemical industry - Crayon Survey [en Español]
Complete teacher led market research - The Mark of a Great Crayon [en Español]
Evaluate crayons
News Alert! Training Scenario Video
This video is a part of the 'Breaking News' Exercise Included in the Middle School Curricula. This is not an actual, factual newsclip!
Day Five
- Ads of Green [en Español]
Create ad highlighting green chemistry practices - Breaking News [en Español]
Complete PPM lab to understand toxicity - Opinion Activity [en Español]
Participate in human graph to share opinions - Risk and Benefit [en Español]
Complete risk/benefit analysis
Day Six
- Ads of Green [en Español]
Create ad highlighting green chemistry practices - Contamination, Contention and Consensus [en Español]
Negotiate issues outcomes - Melt That Ice [en Español]
Determine energy efficiency - Working woes [en Español]
Complete a series of work related challenges
through hands-on simulations - Production practice 2 [en Español]
Complete lab experimenting with additives
Day Seven
- Contamination, Contamination and Concensus [en Español]
- License to Label [en Español]
Develop crayon labels - Mark of a Great Crayon Part Two [en Español]
Evaluate crayons - The Great Debate [en Español]
Debate if chemicals are necessary - Volume Variance [en Español]
Analyze volume efficiency
Day Eight
- Contamination, Contention and Consensus Part Two
[en Español] - License to Label [en Español]
Develop crayon labels - The Great Debate [en Español]
- Shape Shifting [en Español]
Create unique crayon molds - Volume Variance [en Español]
Analyze volume efficiency
Day Nine
- And the Reward Goes To [en Español]
Discover how green chemistry has already improved the world - Can You Characterize the Color of Your Crazy Crayon?
[en Español]
Use alliteration to develop color names - The Great Debate [en Español]
- Production practice 3 [en Español]
Complete lab to make final product - Waste Management Math [en Español]
Categorize, weigh, & pay for waste disposal
Day Ten
- Ad-ing it All Together [en Español]
Present ads highlighting the 12 Principle - Greener Markets [en Español]
Complete a self analysis of consumer habits - Silent Spring Reading Extension [en Español]
Literature Reading Guide - Selecting for Sustainability [en Español]
Give Green Chemistry Award - Waste Management Math [en Español]
Categorize, weigh, & pay for waste disposal
Breaking News Report
Technology Literacy
Assessment
- Final Assessment Documentation [en Español]
- Final Assessment Presentation [en Español]
For any questions about the content or use of these teaching materials please contact .
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by beyondbenign
- Atom Economy [PowerPoint] [en Español]
- Think the Same as Everyone Else! [en Español]
- Vinylbenzyl Thymine is VBT [en Español]
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Our summer newsletter is available! Each issue will include interviews, reviews and discussions on a wide range of Green Chemistry topics. Written for a wide audience, our newsletter will be easily accessible and includes items and ideas that can be used in classroom settings, in the home and in the research laboratory.
MoreQuick Reference, Handouts & Posters
- What is Green Chemistry? - Flyer
- Green Chemistry...Of Course - Mini-Poster
- E-Factor Experiment - Handout
- Green Chemistry Educator Licensure Program - Summary Page
- 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.
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