Community Outreach & Communications
Community education is an essential piece to an environmentally, socially and economically prosperous world. Beyond Benign seeks to educate the community to inspire future scientists and to create more informed consumers and voters who are able to support a growing industrial market based in concepts of Green Chemistry and sustainability.
Outreach Capacities
Beyond Benign interfaces with community groups to increase awareness of Green Chemistry and to increase science literacy. Regionally, Beyond Benign participates in the following activities:
- K - 12 classroom visits
- College & University visits and seminars
- Science Fairs
- Community-based informational events
- Beyond Benign newsletter for Green Chemistry
Invite or Visit Us:
2009 - 2010 Academic Year Outreach Program
Beyond Benign is currently accepting invitations for green chemistry outreach visits for fall 2009. Regional elementary, middle, high schools and colleges/universities are encouraged to contact and schedule your outreach visit today by contacting us at outreach@beyondbenign.org or 978.229.5452.
Below is a partial list of hands-on activities we can bring to your classroom (Materials provided by Beyond Benign, at no charge)
- Blackberry Solar Cell
- Background information: "Solar Cells Inspired by Plants"
courtesy of the Biomimicry Institute
- Background information: "Solar Cells Inspired by Plants"
- VBT/Bio-inspired Polymer
- Recycling Polylactic Acid
- How Green is My Orange?
- Defining Sustainability
- Recipe Rescue
- Introduction to Green Chemistry
- Career Paths in Science
See Last Academic Year's Outreach Schedule
2009-2010 Outreach Fellowship Program
Beyond Benign is looking for young adults to spread the message of green chemistry. There are solutions to many of the environmental challenges facing our planet. Green Chemistry is a pro-active approach to pollution prevention. Join forces with the Beyond Benign team and become a Green Chemistry Outreach Fellow. The program will equip you with the knowledge necessary to inspire future young scientists.
As an Outreach Fellow, you can:
- Inspire the next generation of students to pursue careers in science.
- Help to create new educational activities for use in K-12 and Community Outreach.
- Participate in Beyond Benign's Outreach Fellow Banquet where you can network with other fellows and meet leaders in the field of Green Chemistry.
- Are eligible to win a sponsorship to a Green Chemistry conference of your choice to learn more about the growing field and to network.
Amy Cannon, green chemist and non-profit director, answers SEED Magazine's 10 questions, discussing low-energy solar cells, training scientists to weed out toxicity, and what makes benign chemistry such a good business proposition.Read the Interview
Examples of Outreach Events:
- Galvin Middle School
Wakefield, MA - January 26th, 2010
In our second winter visit to Galvin Middle School, five classes of 8th graders will learn more about sustainability, renewable energy & green chemistry by making an environmentally benign solar cell. Today's lesson and experiment supplement lessons and experiments on biodegradability and renewable feedstocks done with the students a month ago.
- Green Chemistry Day @ the Boston Museum of Science
March 11, 2010
John Warner, co-founder of Green Chemistry and President of the Warner Babcock Institute, and Amy Cannon, co-founder of the Beyond Benign Foundation for Green Chemistry & Sustainable Science Education, will start off the day with a 50 minute lecture that relates science to student's lives.Following the presentation, students can take part in hands-on experiments based on current research being conducted in local universities and companies. Scientists from the Warner Babcock Institute, Beyond Benign, the Museum of Science and several local colleges & universities will provide a wide selection of experiments that demonstrate basic principles - and cutting edge sustainable science.
Join Us Summer Program in Green Chemistry
Quincy H.S.
Beyond Benign has been working with Quincy High School this summer to bring Green Chemistry and sustainabile science into the curriculum throughout the school year.
Read More from the Boston Globe and the Patriot LedgerBoston Globe
Patriot Ledger
For information on upcoming and recent outreach events, seminars, conferences and workshops, check our events pages!
Upcoming Events Recent Events