This year we are focusing on K-12 teacher peer collaboration. You are our best resource. There will be space for teachers to bring the resources, labs, lessons, articles that they are seeking to implement. What are the things you are learning as you implement? What challenges are you facing as you implement green chemistry in your classroom and lab? What has really worked well for you? Are there elements of your lessons/labs that you really need help with before implementation? Come and talk with your K-12 peers in the Green Chemistry Community of Practice. We are here to support, accompany, encourage and learn together. We will have speakers periodically to share what has worked in their classrooms, or to share lab safety tips. Register to attend. Only speaker sessions will be recorded, included with registration.

Esther Hines, retired chemistry teacher, ACS mentor and coach, adjunct chemistry faculty, will facilitate Observe Wonder Think monthly, third Thursdays, at alternating evening times.

Observe, Wonder, Think: March 2025

In this session, Sarah shares her expertise in chemical management and disposal, gained from her experience as a high school science teacher, college laboratory instructor, and institutional laboratory safety specialist at a large university. She dives into essential topics like common safety concerns with chemical storage and disposal, effective chemical inventory management strategies, and best practices for working in shared stock rooms. Additionally, she explorse how the principles of green chemistry can be used to address these challenges, providing practical solutions for safer and more sustainable lab environments.

Observe, Wonder, Think: February 2025

More and more educators are pursuing equitable grading practices as they realize the numerous inequities that exist within education. Beyond Benign is calling in educators, who care deeply about serving their students, to explore the best learning environment for their development in a chemistry classroom.

Watch this Observe, Wonder, Think session and explore what grading for equity in a chemistry class can look like. In this webinar, we are joined by special guest Raksmey Derival, a high school science teacher, science ambassador, and program director at Innovation Academy Charter School.

Observe, Wonder, Think: January 2025

K-12 teachers: watch this special webinar on social justice science issues featuring Nina Hike, a leader in chemistry education and a 2021 Illinois finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching.

This interactive webinar explores the intersection of environmental justice and green chemistry, providing insights into the future of green chemistry education.

Observe, Wonder, Think: December 2024

K-12 teachers: watch this special webinar with Dr. Elizabeth Braun of the Labratory Safety Institute! During this virtual session, Dr. Braun shares the Safer Science Framework, designed to empower educators with the tools they need to create hazard-free, sustainable lab environments.

By addressing outdated chemicals and integrating holistic safety practices, this framework enables teachers to confidently explore Green Chemistry, fostering safer, greener classrooms that align with national standards like NGSS.