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Intro to Green Chemistry Online Course for High School Teachers
June 7, 2021 - August 2, 2021Looking for a course that will support NGSS integration in your high school science & engineerin...
Find out more »Advanced Green Chemistry: Connections to Our World
June 7, 2021 - August 2, 2021Have you already started replacing your labs with safer materials? Ready to take green chemistry to ...
Find out more »Sustainable Science: Contextualizing Chemistry Through Safer Hands-on Labs
August 2, 2021 - August 16, 2021August 2 – August 16 , 2021 Synchronous class times: 8/2; 8/4; 8/9 10am-11:30am MST Are you ...
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Welcome Southern University and A&M College to the GCC Community
Through our partnership with Dow to support our 25×25 Initiative Beyond Benign is thrilled to welcome Southern University and A&M College to our Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC) community! The Chemistry Department at Southern University will start Green Chemistry education by implementing Green Chemistry Principles in undergraduate chemistry courses and laboratories, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Biochemistry. The institution is the third HBCU (Historically black colleges and universities) to join the GCC program.
Check out the Southern University and A&M College Who’s Committed Profile to learn more about the department and its aims!
Welcome Southern University and A&M College to the GCC Community
July 9, 2021
Through our partnership with Dow to support our 25×25 Initiative Beyond Benign is thrilled to welcome Southern University and A&M College to our Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC) community! The Chemistry […]
Categories: Green Chemistry Education, Higher-Ed
2021 Sustainable STEM Innovation Award Winner
Beyond Benign is excited to announce Georgia Row of Innovation Academy Charter School as the 2021 Sustainable STEM Innovation Award Winner! This scholarship was created in the spirit of Missy Spera, Class of 2018, who had planned to become a Green Chemist. Recipients of this award demonstrate a passion for science, engagement with their community, interest in improving environmental health, commitment to understanding the science behind issues and are know for taking advantage of learning opportunities. Georgia was acknowledged for these characteristics at the Awards Night where previous winners Hannah George (’20) and Abbie Lyna (’19) delivered the following speech in her honor:
Hi, I’m Hannah George of the class of 2020 and I’m class of 2019’s Abbie Lyna. We are past recipients of the Sustainable STEM Innovation Award, a scholarship set up to celebrate Missy Spera and her empathy, her drive, and enthusiasm for the environment and green chemistry. With the help of Beyond Benign, an impressive science education organization, we hope to honor Missy by awarding a student from the class of 2021 who represents these ideals.
This student is passionate about science, but about nature especially. Their commitment and love of seeking knowledge is exceptional, both in and outside of the classroom. They are dedicated to helping their peers, be it through tutoring, as a lab aide, making tea for a classmate, or presenting captivating projects about vegetables. I personally got to see this student’s enthusiasm and hard work during the 2019 Magic in the Lab event, a night where friends and family gathered together to produce Missy’s recipe for eco-friendly skincare products. They really are a Cool Kid™
We are grateful to present this year’s Sustainable STEM Innovation Award to Georgia Row.
2021 Sustainable STEM Innovation Award Winner
June 7, 2021
Beyond Benign is excited to announce Georgia Row of Innovation Academy Charter School as the 2021 Sustainable STEM Innovation Award Winner! This scholarship was created in the spirit of Missy […]
Categories: K-12
Inventor in the Classroom: Michelle Legatt talks material science and sustainability with students
Principal Sustainable Materials Engineer, Michelle Legatt, visited students at Woodrow Wilson Middle School and Grant High School to speak about her career journey and coming to understand sustainability. Michelle started out as a research chemist and products developer at 3M before transitioning to a materials innovation engineer at Patagonia and, most recently, to her current role at Hasbro.
Student were provided the opportunity to ask questions, ranging from plastic alternative options to the practicality of small businesses being sustainable. Michelle responded to their questions to provide insight. See a sampling of the Q&A below!
How hard would it be to switch all the production of single-use plastics to the infinitely recyclable plastics?
There are so many moving parts to production. You would need to make sure you can scale up production of infinitely recyclable plastics. You would need to ensure that machines using that type of plastic will work with that consistency. Also, when recycling, you need to make sure it does not contaminate other types of plastic in the waste stream. It really depends on what the plastic is being used for as to whether infinitely recyclable plastic will actually work.
What is the best plastic alternative for things like packaging? I’ve heard corn can be an alternative and is biodegradable.
The best is really paper, as long as it is sustainably sourced and not made from old-growth forests. Biodegradable is also being used as a blanket term to include a variety of plastic alternatives. Marketing has also miscommunicated what these materials are and what they can do. Most [biodegradable alternatives] will take at least 5 years to break down and others will still break down into smaller parts that are harmful.
At what point in the breaking down process of plastic is it no longer harmful?
We do not know the answer to this. We do know that the smallest pieces, nano-plastics, can cross barriers such as cell membranes and enter into organs and cells. We do not yet know what this means for health of living things, humans included.
What are some of the benefits of working for a smaller business vs. a larger corporation when regarding sustainability and accessibility to resources?
Smaller businesses are more nimble or flexible. They usually have a clear common message and goal that all employees are there for. Larger companies may be more risk-adverse and have to answer to shareholders or be slower to make changes.
Inventor in the Classroom: Michelle Legatt talks material science and sustainability with students
May 27, 2021
Principal Sustainable Materials Engineer, Michelle Legatt, visited students at Woodrow Wilson Middle School and Grant High School to speak about her career journey and coming to understand sustainability. Michelle started […]
Inventor in the Classroom: Dr. Arlyne Simon discusses invention with fifth grade students
Dr. Arlyne Simon holds titles ranging from biomedical engineer and patent-holding inventor to author of the book series Abby Invents -in which she utilizes her platform to engage and encourage learners into the conversation of how they can become inventors too! As a biomedical engineer, she has designed blood tests, syringes and ultrasound machines.
Recently, she partnered with Beyond Benign’s lead teacher Bob Baldo and led a virtual assembly for the entire fifth grade at Carver Elementary School. Over 100 students were able to zoom in and learn about Dr. Simon’s experience and journey and ask their own questions! The event was then featured in the Carver Elementary Newsletter.
For more information on Dr. Simon’s scientific inventions or written works check out her website: https://arlynesimon.com/
Inventor in the Classroom: Dr. Arlyne Simon discusses invention with fifth grade students
May 26, 2021
Dr. Arlyne Simon holds titles ranging from biomedical engineer and patent-holding inventor to author of the book series Abby Invents -in which she utilizes her platform to engage and encourage [...]Welcome Pitzer College to the GCC Community
Beyond Benign was thrilled to welcome the Keck Science Department serving Scripps, Pitzer, and Claremont McKenna Colleges signed the Green Chemistry Commitment in March 2021. The department emphasizes green chemistry throughout the chemistry curriculum. Starting with general chemistry, green chemistry is introduced in the laboratory. Green Chemistry education continues in organic chemistry and the department has opportunities for majors to contribute to green chemistry research. Chemical toxicology is covered in one of the advanced laboratory courses and there is a stand-alone upper-division environmental chemistry class offering. Many of the faculty members have projects related to green chemistry in their research programs, where students can receive training, write theses, and publish journal articles. The department is committed to offering a program where every graduate receives a solid foundation in green chemistry!
Check out the Pitzer College Who’s Committed Profile to learn more about the department and its aims!
Welcome Pitzer College to the GCC Community
May 13, 2021
Beyond Benign was thrilled to welcome the Keck Science Department serving Scripps, Pitzer, and Claremont McKenna Colleges signed the Green Chemistry Commitment in March 2021. The department emphasizes green chemistry […]
Categories: Green Chemistry Education, Higher-Ed
Welcome Claremont McKenna College to the GCC community!
Beyond Benign was thrilled to welcome the Keck Science Department serving Scripps, Pitzer, and Claremont McKenna Colleges signed the Green Chemistry Commitment in March 2021. The department emphasizes green chemistry throughout the chemistry curriculum. Starting with general chemistry, green chemistry is introduced in the laboratory. Green Chemistry education continues in organic chemistry and the department has opportunities for majors to contribute to green chemistry research. Chemical toxicology is covered in one of the advanced laboratory courses and there is a stand-alone upper-division environmental chemistry class offering. Many of the faculty members have projects related to green chemistry in their research programs, where students can receive training, write theses, and publish journal articles. The department is committed to offering a program where every graduate receives a solid foundation in green chemistry!
Check out the Claremont McKenna College Who’s Committed Profile to learn more about the department and its aims!
Welcome Claremont McKenna College to the GCC community!
May 12, 2021
Beyond Benign was thrilled to welcome the Keck Science Department serving Scripps, Pitzer, and Claremont McKenna Colleges signed the Green Chemistry Commitment in March 2021. The department emphasizes green chemistry […]
Categories: Green Chemistry Education, Higher-Ed
Green Chemistry Commitment Highlighted in TIME Magazine
The Executive Director & Co-Founder of Beyond Benign, Amy Cannon, is thrilled to see the Green Chemistry Commitment highlighted in connection with the climate crisis and how higher education institutions are adopting it in their curricula. Teaching future chemists how to design products and processes that are healthier and safer for humans and the environment is an upstream, preventive, solutions-oriented approach to address local and global sustainability challenges. Read in TIME Magazine how higher education curricula across many disciplines are changing.
Green Chemistry Commitment Highlighted in TIME Magazine
May 6, 2021
The Executive Director & Co-Founder of Beyond Benign, Amy Cannon, is thrilled to see the Green Chemistry Commitment highlighted in connection with the climate crisis and how higher education institutions […]
Categories: Green Chemistry Education, Higher-Ed
CSUSM the first California State University Institution to sign the Green Chemistry Commitment
Beyond Benign is thrilled to welcome California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) to our Green Chemistry Commitment program. CSUSM joined the Commitment in March 2021 and is the first California State University institution to sign the commitment. At CSUSM, there is a workgroup that is developing a proposal to help the department implement the 12 principles of green chemistry with the short-term goal to focus on small substitutions in the existing curriculum to make labs safer and produce less harmful waste while also finding substitutes for hazardous chemicals. The workgroup is also updating existing student learning outcomes and lecture curriculum. Read more about the department’s Commitment here.
Check out the California State University San Marcos Who’s Committed Profile to learn more about this institution and its departmental aim!
CSUSM the first California State University Institution to sign the Green Chemistry Commitment
April 22, 2021
Beyond Benign is thrilled to welcome California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) to our Green Chemistry Commitment program. CSUSM joined the Commitment in March 2021 and is the first California […]
Categories: Green Chemistry Education, Higher-Ed
Spring into Green Chemistry
In our April Newsletter, we highlight our new team members and the many opportunities to spring into more Green Chemistry education practices. Read the “Spring into Green Chemistry” newsletter here or find specific information on the links below!
Spring into Green Chemistry
April 1, 2021
In our April Newsletter, we highlight our new team members and the many opportunities to spring into more Green Chemistry education practices. Read the “Spring into Green Chemistry” newsletter here or […]
Categories: Newsletters
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