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.
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.
Day One
- Defining Sustainability [en Español]
- What is Green Chemistry [en Español]
- Recipe Rescue [en Español]
- The Young Apprentice [en Español]
- Triangle Triage [en Español]
- Totally Cubular [en Español]
- Waste Intro Presentation [en Español]
Day Two
- Lifecycle Lettering [en Español]
- History of Chemsitry [en Español]
- Rainbow of Colors [en Español]
- Synonyms Simplify [en Español]
- The World of Chemistry [en Español]
Day Three
- Market Research [en Español]
- Production Practice [en Español]
- The Building Blocks of Green Chemistry [en Español]
- Your Mission [en Español]
Day Four
- Market Research Part Two [en Español]
- Market Research Part Three [en Español]
- Oops I Did It Again [en Español]
- Crayon Survey [en Español]
- The Mark of a Great Crayon [en Español]
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]
- Breaking News [en Español]
- Opinion Activity [en Español]
- Risk and Benefit [en Español]
Day Six
- Ads of Green [en Español]
- Contamination, Contention and Consensus [en Español]
- Melt That Ice [en Español]
- Production Line Woes [en Español]
- Recipe Redo [en Español]
Day Seven
- Contamination, Contamination and Concensus [en Español]
- License to Label [en Español]
- Mark of a Great Crayon Part Two [en Español]
- The Great Debate [en Español]
- Volume Variance [en Español]
Day Eight
- Contamination, Contention and Consensus Part Two
[en Español] - License to Label [en Español]
- The Great Debate [en Español]
- Shape Shifting [en Español]
- Volume Variance [en Español]
Day Nine
- And the Reward Goes To [en Español]
- Can You Characterize the Color of Your Crazy Crayon?
[en Español] - The Great Debate [en Español]
- Striving for Perfection [en Español]
- Waste Management Math [en Español]
Day Ten
- Ad-ing it All Together [en Español]
- Greener Markets [en Español]
- Silent Spring Reading Extension [en Español]
- Selecting for Sustainability [en Español]
- Waste Management Math [en Español]
Breaking News Report
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 .
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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)

