upcoming events
New York Professional Learning Team Meet-up
February 7, 2022 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pmJoin us for monthly meet-ups from 5pm – 6pm ET to collaborate with peers in the creation of NY...
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Pathways to Sustainable Invention Speaker Series
February 9, 2022 @ 7:00 pm - 7:45 pmThrough support from the Lemelson Foundation, Beyond Benign has teamed up with the National Organiza...
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Sustainable Science: Contextualizing Chemistry Through Safer Hands-on Labs
February 14, 2022 - March 7, 2022Spring 2022 Dates: February 14th-March 7th Synchronous Meetings: February 15th, 22nd, and March 1st ...
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New Publication! Biopolymer Experiment for Middle and High School!
This new ACS Journal of Chemical Education article titled Thirst for a Solution: Alginate Biopolymer Experiments for the Middle and High School Classroom features the synthesis of biodegradable calcium alginate capsules prepared from food-safe chemicals. The capsules are considered as replacements for single use water bottles and students are challenged to design an inquiry experiment. This hands-on experiment was developed by Dr. Jane Wissinger (University of Minnesota) and her research students, in partnership with Beyond Benign teachers and staff.
Access the full publication here.
New Publication! Biopolymer Experiment for Middle and High School!
January 6, 2022
This new ACS Journal of Chemical Education article titled Thirst for a Solution: Alginate Biopolymer Experiments for the Middle and High School Classroom features the synthesis of biodegradable calcium alginate [...]Categories: Green Chemistry Education, K-12, Spotlight
Meet Beyond Benign Leaders and Join the Community! 🌎
In our Fall Newsletter, we highlight our Beyond Benign Leaders, our amazing educators, and partners who work alongside us to build this growing, supportive Green Chemistry education community. In support of the community, we will provide a host of virtual opportunities this year, we even have a new section of our website dedicated to building online communities, reflecting our organizational shift towards fostering a diverse and welcoming community that empowers educators to transform chemistry education for a sustainable future.
In this newsletter, you will find ways to connect with our educators and partners in K-12, Higher Education, and through a new program, the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC). You’ll also learn how our Co-Founder and Co-Founder of Green Chemistry, John Warner is running for American Chemical Society (ACS) President.
Read all the “Meet Beyond Benign Leaders and Join the Community” newsletter has to offer here and sign up for our email list to receive future newsletters!
Meet Beyond Benign Leaders and Join the Community! 🌎
September 22, 2021
In our Fall Newsletter, we highlight our Beyond Benign Leaders, our amazing educators, and partners who work alongside us to build this growing, supportive Green Chemistry education community. In support […]
Categories: Newsletters
Welcome Universidad de la Costa to the GCC Community
A warm welcome to our newest Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC) Signer, the Department of Natural and Exact Sciences at Universidad de la Costa. The department is deeply committed to forming professionals & citizens with a high sense of responsibility to a more sustainable world. The faculty currently incorporates green chemistry principles throughout an ecotoxicology course and into tutorial research programs in ecotoxicology and green chemistry. The institution is the second in Colombia to join the GCC program and offers an Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Development Master, and Doctoral Degree.
Check out the Universidad de la Costa Who’s Committed Profile to learn more about the department and its aims!
Welcome Universidad de la Costa to the GCC Community
September 20, 2021
A warm welcome to our newest Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC) Signer, the Department of Natural and Exact Sciences at Universidad de la Costa. The department is deeply committed to forming […]
Categories: Green Chemistry Education
MilliporeSigma Science Will Tell Podcast: DOZN™ – Green Chemistry Evaluator Tool
MilliporeSigma‘s game-changing DOZN™ tool enables scientists to compare the relative greenness of similar chemicals, synthetic routes & chemical processes!
Listen to experts from within our Green Chemistry community including our Executive Director Dr. Amy Cannon, Prof. Irv Levy (GCC advisory board chair), Dr. Ponnusamy (GCC advisory board & MilliporeSigma Green Chemistry Fellow), and Jeffrey Whitford (Head of Sustainability and Social Business Innovation at MilliporeSigma) discuss DOZN in the third episode of Science Will Tell.
Through this podcast, you will learn more about DOZN™, the quantitative, industry-first green chemistry tool that utilizes the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry in order for scientists to make more informed decisions and to reduce their environmental footprint in industry and academic settings. Specifically, DOZN™ enables scientists to compare the relative greenness of similar chemicals, synthetic routes, and chemical processes. Learn more and start using DOZN™ by clicking here.
MilliporeSigma Science Will Tell Podcast: DOZN™ – Green Chemistry Evaluator Tool
August 27, 2021
MilliporeSigma‘s game-changing DOZN™ tool enables scientists to compare the relative greenness of similar chemicals, synthetic routes & chemical processes! Listen to experts from within our Green Chemistry community including our […]
Categories: Green Chemistry Education, Higher-Ed
Welcome Southern University and A&M College to the GCC Community
Through our partnership with Dow to support our 25Ă—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 25Ă—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™Â
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. Â
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
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