2025-2026 Green Chemistry Connections
2025-12-17 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-01-21 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-18 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-18 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-15 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-20 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
From biomimicry to toxicology, green chemistry offers powerful solutions to some of the world’s most pressing crises. During the 2025-2026 Green Chemistry Connections webinar series, we will zero in on the powerfully adaptable principles of green chemistry and their role in forming connections between educators, industry, and advocates.
How? This season’s speakers are a host of changemakers from diverse professions—each working to apply green chemistry in unique and inventive ways. K-12 educators, higher education faculty, students, industry professionals, advocates, and all are welcome to join these interactive monthly conversations.
Sessions are held on the third Wednesday of each month from 12 to 2 p.m. ET. By signing up below, you will be registered for all events and have access to recordings!
Please share this webinar series with friends and colleagues of all disciplines and backgrounds. We know the true power of our green chemistry community is how we connect with the world—so come connect with us!

GCTLC Info Session - How to Search the Library of Curriculum Resources
2026-01-14 18:00 - 19:00
Are you interested in incorporating green chemistry and sustainability into your classroom or lab? Do you want to excite your students about science but need some inspiration? With over 400 resources available, including open-access materials and linked journal articles, there’s something for everyone on the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC).
Join Dr. Sarah Kennedy, Chief Editor of the GCTLC, on January 14th from 6-7 p.m. EST for a free info session to learn how to easily search and find relevant content on the GCTLC platform. This interactive session will cover how to search using common filters and topics, such as grade level, NGSS standards, activity type, keywords, and more.
This session is free to join and open to all community members. Join us to deepen your engagement in this community and discover exciting new resources you can use in your classroom or lab!
🔗 Zoom details:

No registration needed—just use this Zoom link to join us on January 14th from 6 to 7 p.m. EST.
Meeting ID: 875 1688 0432
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Greener Curriculum Showcase Series: Bringing Real-World Industrial Skills to the Classroom
2026-01-15 12:30 - 14:00
Join us for a FREE virtual workshop designed to help educators teach Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Techno-Economic Assessments (TEA)—two essential tools in the chemical industry. Participants will learn how to confidently implement the module, “Exploring Techno-Economic Assessments and Life Cycle Assessments: Environmental versus Economic Evaluations of Soy-based Processes and Products,” which is part of the new Soy Chemistry Curriculum. This module introduces students to these essential evaluation methods using open-access tools and laboratory-generated data.
Facilitator Dr. Julian Silverman, Assistant Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology and a co-author of the Soy Chemistry Curriculum, will guide participants through the resources, offer practical strategies for adaptation and implementation, and create opportunities for educators to share insights. The workshop will include group-based learning, discussions, networking opportunities, and a Q&A session.
🌱 Don’t miss this chance to enhance your teaching toolkit, connect with peers, and inspire the next generation of green chemists! Space is limited—RSVP here.

Ask Me Anything: Dr. Elizabeth Braun
2026-01-27 - 2026-01-30
Mark your calendar for the upcoming Ask Me Anything (AMA) interview with Dr. Elizabeth Braun, Director of Educational Content and Learning at the Lab Safety Institute. From January 27th to 30th, Elizabeth will answer questions from the community and share her expertise in the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC) forums!
At the Lab Safety Institute, Elizabeth collaborates with educators, administrators, and district leaders to strengthen safety culture and promote green chemistry across STEM classrooms. She focuses on systems-level improvement—supporting schools as they rethink chemical management, instructional practices, and professional learning to align safety and sustainability. Her work bridges policy, pedagogy, and practice to make safer science accessible to every learning environment.

💬 This is a conversation you won’t want to miss! Get your questions ready and meet us in the forums.
PS: If you missed previous AMA interviews or want to revisit the insights shared, you can explore them here.

Applications of Green Chemistry for a Healthier and More Sustainable Future
2026-01-31 11:30 - 14:00 | Fisk University, 1000 17th Ave, Nashville, TN, 37208, United States
This public, in-person workshop explores applications of green chemistry to support a healthier and more sustainable future. Led by Dr. Omar Villanueva of Beyond Benign, the session will highlight how green chemistry principles can be applied to design safer chemicals and materials using more environmentally responsible processes. The workshop will cover key aspects of the chemical life cycle—from design to disposal—and is intended for undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, community environmental and health leaders, and other community members. Lunch will be provided, and time will be reserved for discussion and Q&A.

New York Green Chemistry Professional Learning Team
2026-02-19 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-03-19 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-16 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-05-21 19:00 - 20:30
Calling New York-based teachers in grades 6-12! Join us for our New York Green Chemistry Professional Learning Team, where your professional growth aligns with New York State learning standards for pedagogy and student performance. This collaborative initiative is designed to enhance your instructional skills through demonstrations, peer reviews, and a strong emphasis on lab safety. By exploring green chemistry principles and integrating them into your current labs, you will not only expand your knowledge but also help create a safer and more sustainable learning environment for your students.
Our monthly virtual meetings foster a supportive community of practice where educators can share their experiences and learn from one another. You will have the opportunity to analyze student work and refine your teaching strategies while building a collective repository of greener laboratory practices. Together, we will improve pedagogical skills and confidence, promote educational leadership, and enhance student achievement through real-world problem-solving experiences. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to collaborate and grow alongside fellow science educators!
💬 Led by Beyond Benign Certified Lead Teacher Scott Carlson
🗓️ Third Thursday of each month from February to June 2026
⏰ 7-8:30 p.m. ET
📍Online – Zoom link upon registration

Greener Curriculum Showcase Series: Green Chemistry and Sustainability Case Studies in the Classroom
2026-02-25 15:00 - 16:30
Integrating case studies into the curriculum effectively provides context for chemical concepts and showcases real-world applications of green chemistry. If you are an educator in a higher ed setting, join a FREE virtual workshop on February 25th to learn how to develop case studies using a new template and instructional guide co-developed by Beyond Benign and the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute.
Participants will gain hands-on experience with the case study framework and learn strategies for developing case studies that highlight how chemistry drives sustainable innovation. Facilitators Dr. Jennifer Tripp (University of San Francisco) and Dr. Tom Umile (Villanova University) will guide participants through these resources, offer practical strategies for adaptation and implementation, and create opportunities for educators to share insights.
🧪Don’t miss this chance to expand your teaching toolkit and inspire future green chemists. Reserve your spot today!

#RSCPoster 2026
2026-03-03 07:00 - 2026-03-04 07:00
The #RSCPoster conference is a free, 24-hour global online event hosted on LinkedIn. It brings together chemists from different disciplines and career stages to share research, connect with peers worldwide, and engage in scientific discussions. You can share posters on other platforms to expand the conversation, but be sure to post on LinkedIn so you are eligible for prizes!
Beyond Benign Senior Program Manager, Dr. Juliana Vidal is the subject chair of a brand new dedicated sustainability category (#RSCSustainability) for posters focused on sustainable science. (👏!) If your research centers on sustainability topics, we encourage you to submit your poster to showcase innovations advancing greener technologies, responsible resource use, and a more sustainable future. Learn more and register here.

2026 Eastern STANYS Spring Conference
2026-03-06 16:00 - 21:00 | Siena University in Siena, New York
Join science educators from across New York’s Capital Region for the 42nd Annual Eastern STANYS Spring Conference. This regional gathering returns to Siena University and brings together K-12 teachers, local experts, and science organizations to share effective classroom strategies and enhance science instruction across various disciplines.
All sessions are aligned with the New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS). Attendees can participate in two 45-minute sessions, along with the keynote address, to earn 5 CTLE credits.
👋 If you attend, be sure to connect with Beyond Benign Certified Lead Teachers Stefanie Loomis and Annette Sebuyira.
🗓️ March 6, 2026
⏰ 4–9 p.m. ET
📍 Siena University
🔗 Learn more and register

American Chemical Society Spring National Meeting
2026-03-22 - 2026-03-26
Members of the Beyond Benign team and community will be at ACS Spring 2026 from March 22nd to 26th! This year’s hybrid event, taking place in Atlanta, Georgia, and online, will center on the theme “Collaborate. Innovate. Transform.” 👋 We look forward to connecting with you! Learn more and register here. If you are attending, stop by our kiosk (#1433) to connect, and be sure to attend our green chemistry sessions:

Bringing Green Chemistry to Life in K–12 Classrooms: Resources, Community, and Professional Development
Presented by Dr. Omar Villanueva, Beyond Benign Chief Program Officer, and Dr. Amy Cannon, Beyond Benign Co-Founder and Executive Director.
This session invites K-12 educators to explore practical strategies for integrating green chemistry into their classrooms. Participants will be introduced to Beyond Benign teaching resources, including the Soy Chemistry curriculum, classroom case studies, open-access hands-on activities, professional development opportunities, and the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community platform.
🗓️ March 22nd | 10:15-11 a.m.
📍 Room B403 — Georgia World Congress Center

Twelve Months of Green Chemistry at Georgia Gwinnett College
Presented by leaders from Georgia Gwinnett College, Veronica Sublet Breeden, Dr. Cynthia Woodbridge, Dr. Kathryn Zimmermann, Dr. Joseph Sloop, alongside Dr. Omar Villanueva, Beyond Benign Chief Program Officer and former Chemistry Department Chair at Georgia Gwinnett College.
This poster presentation highlights a year-long initiative engaging students and faculty with the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry. Supported by a Beyond Benign Green Chemistry Education Award, the program features monthly outreach events and faculty workshops to support curriculum integration and campus-wide engagement.
🗓️ March 22nd | 12-2 p.m.
📍 Poster Session — Exhibit Hall B/C

The Future of Chemistry: Designing Out Pollution
Featuring Dr. Juliana Vidal, Beyond Benign Senior Program Manager, and Ann Lee-Jeffs, Beyond Benign Board Member.
This panel, presented by the C&EN Future of Chemistry Series, explores chemistry’s role in mitigating pollution and waste across product life cycles. The discussion examines emerging technologies and design strategies that reduce hazardous inputs and advance sustainable materials innovation.
🗓️ March 23rd | 1:30-3:20 p.m.
📍 Georgia World Congress Center

Inspiring Students with Sustainable Plastics
Presented by Cassie Lydon, K-12 Educator and Beyond Benign Certified Lead Teacher.
This educator session showcases classroom approaches for teaching sustainable plastics through green chemistry principles. Participants will explore curriculum activities, materials design concepts, and strategies to engage students in real-world sustainability challenges.
🗓️ March 22nd | 2:50-3:10 p.m.
📍 ChemPod 10 — Exhibit Hall B5

Celebrating Innovations in Green and Sustainable Chemistry Education: Quality Education — Green Chemistry for a Sustainable Future
Featuring Dr. Amy Cannon, Beyond Benign Co-Founder and Executive Director.
As ACS marks 150 years of advancing science, this symposium, organized by the ACS Green Chemistry Institute, highlights the expanding role of green chemistry in shaping a sustainable future. Grounded in the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry and aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal #4, the session explores progress in curricular integration and priorities for chemistry education.
🗓️ March 22nd | 2-6 p.m.
📍 Room B401 — Georgia World Congress Center

Partnerships as a Pathway for Green Chemistry Adoption
Presented by Dr. Melissa Hill (Vernier), in collaboration with Beyond Benign and the Lab Safety Institute.
This presentation spotlights how Vernier, Beyond Benign, and the Lab Safety Institute collaborate to create green chemistry experiments, professional development opportunities, and lab safety resources. Participants will be introduced to various tools, educator communities, and training opportunities that arise from these partnerships and will learn how to access and engage with them. By directly connecting educators with practical resources, the session illustrates how these collaborations can enhance the impact of green chemistry and support instructors in implementing sustainable laboratory practices.
🗓️ March 22nd | 4:40–5:00 p.m.
📍 ChemPod 10 — Exhibit Hall B5 — Georgia World Congress Center

Partnerships as a Pathway for Green Chemistry Adoption
Presented by Dr. Melissa Hill (Vernier), in collaboration with Beyond Benign and the Lab Safety Institute.
This Sci-Mix poster presentation emphasizes the collaborative efforts among Vernier, Beyond Benign, and the Lab Safety Institute to promote the adoption of green chemistry in teaching laboratories. Attendees will discover how partnerships across different sectors are enhancing access to sustainable laboratory experiments, professional development programs, and safety-focused implementation strategies that make green chemistry more accessible and scalable.
🗓️ March 23rd | 8:00–10:00 p.m.
📍 Sci-Mix Poster Session — Exhibit Hall B3/B4 — Georgia World Congress Center

Global Approach for a Systemic Change in Chemistry Education: Beyond Benign and the Green Chemistry Commitment Program
Presented by Beyond Benign team members Dr. Juliana Vidal (Senior Program Manager), Dr. Omar Villanueva (Chief Program Officer), and Dr. Amy Cannon (Co-Founder and Executive Director).
This presentation highlights the Green Chemistry Commitment, Beyond Benign’s global program designed to catalyze systemic change in chemistry education. By embedding green chemistry across the education continuum, institutions prepare scientists to design safer products and processes that protect human health and the environment.
🗓️ March 24th | 2:05-2:30 p.m.
📍 ChemPod 9 — Exhibit Hall B5

Green Chemistry Professional Mentoring Networks (GCPMNs): A New NSF-Funded Mechanism for Building Professional Development and Communities of Practice in Chemistry Education
Presented by Beyond Benign team members Dr. Jonathon Moir (Director of the GCTLC), Dr. Omar Villanueva (Chief Program Officer), Dr. Monica Soma Hensley (Instruction & Research Manager), Dr. Amy Cannon (Co-Founder & Executive Director) and community member Dr. Nikita Burrows (Associate Professor at Monmouth University).
This presentation introduces the Green Chemistry Professional Mentoring Networks, a multi-year initiative funded by the National Science Foundation to expand national capacity in green chemistry education through mentoring networks, curricular integration, and community-building research.
🗓️ March 24th | 3:35–3:55 p.m.
📍 Room B314 — Georgia World Congress Center

37th Annual Bioneers Conference
2026-03-26 - 2026-03-28
Now in its 37th year, the Bioneers Conference convenes activists, scientists, educators, artists, Indigenous leaders, and community organizers to share solutions and foster connections across social and environmental movements. Bioneers 2026 will offer main-stage talks, performances, in-depth discussions, hands-on workshops, an Indigenous Forum, youth programs, and collaborative opportunities over three days in Berkeley, California.
Each conference day includes a morning plenary at Zellerbach Hall beginning at 9 a.m., followed by afternoon and evening panels, interactive sessions, films, performances, and networking events at various downtown Berkeley venues.
If you are attending, don’t miss presentations from Beyond Benign Co-Founders Dr. John Warner and Dr. Amy Cannon on Saturday, March 28th:

Keynote: Dr. John Warner – “Biomimicry at the Molecular Level—Inventing a Sustainable Future” (March 28th, 9:40–10:02 a.m., Zellerbach Hall) | In this talk, John will share his vision of how we can draw from the molecular design genius of nature, which has been running countless rigorous chemistry experiments for nearly 4 billion years, to create benign products and technologies that provide for human needs without contaminating the biosphere and endangering our health.
Panel: Green Chemistry Innovation and Education featuring Dr. John Warner and Dr. Amy Cannon (March 28th, 4:45–6 p.m.) | Our educational systems need to be transformed to prepare chemists and scientists to design more sustainable products. In this panel, John and Amy will share their work on key initiatives, such as the Green Chemistry Commitment, which equips universities to integrate green chemistry across curricula, research, and training. These initiatives and more are enabling a new generation of scientists to create breakthrough technologies that will enable a more sustainable, circular, and regenerative economy and society.

🐢 Learn more and register!

Catalyzing a Sustainable Future: Radical Redesign of Chemistry for Circularity
2026-04-09 10:00 - 11:00
Our popular Promoting Chemistry Applied to World Needs webinar series, hosted in collaboration with IUPAC CHEMRAWN, is back for its second year! Each webinar features experts who connect chemistry to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and IUPAC’s Top 10 Emerging Technologies.

Join us on April 9th at 10 a.m. EDT for the first session of 2026! In this session, Professor Chris Slootweg of the University of Amsterdam will introduce circular chemistry as a framework for redesigning chemical production around reuse, recovery, and the conservation of critical raw materials. Through examples such as phosphate recycling, safer and more sustainable phosphate flame retardants, and liquid organic hydrogen carriers for large-scale hydrogen transport, Chris will demonstrate how chemistry can serve as a practical tool for addressing waste, resource depletion, and the demands of the energy transition.
Register for the series and meet us online on April 9th. You’ll receive the Zoom link and access to the full series upon registration.

#CLEAR26 Online Symposium (#CLEAR2026 Symposium)
2026-05-07
The annual CLEAR Symposium connects chemistry educators worldwide in a virtual symposium, enhancing laboratory teaching through research. Attend #CLEAR26, an online symposium on laboratory teaching in chemistry, to gain valuable insights from experts in the field! Dr. Monica Soma Hensley, Beyond Benign Higher Education Instruction and Research Manager, is a co-organizer for this year’s symposium, which centers on the theme of Sustainability and Green Chemistry.
Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to share their work on teaching and learning in the chemistry laboratory. All interested individuals are invited to submit a poster for the event that focuses on research, assessment, or evaluation related to laboratory practices.

🗓️ Date: May 7th, 2026
📍 Location: Online
🔗 To learn more, register, or submit a poster:
https://clearsymposium.weebly.com/registersubmissions.html

The 11th Annual GCM x GCI Symposium: Lab to Landfill
2026-05-19 - 2026-05-20 | McGill University, 845 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0G4, Canada
Hear from Dr. Juliana Vidal, Beyond Benign Senior Program Manager, at this event hosted by two Green Chemistry Commitment signers! The annual Green Chemistry Initiative (GCI) Symposium, co-organized by Green Chemistry McGill and the Green Chemistry Initiative at the University of Toronto, connects students, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty interested in green chemistry with current leaders to discuss advances in chemical processes and the future of sustainable research.
This year’s symposium, Minimizing Waste from Lab to Landfill, emphasizes that even small daily decisions we make in the lab can reduce the chemical waste our institutions produce. Speakers from both academia and industry will discuss reaction optimization with lower solvent volumes, lower reaction temperatures, lower overall energy use, and safer reagents, highlighting that efficient chemistry is green chemistry.

Canadian Societies for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering 2026 Conferences and Exhibition (x2026)
2026-05-24 - 2026-05-28 | Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2W6, Canada
Join Beyond Benign staff and faculty collaborators throughout x2026 (Canadian Societies for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering 2026 Conferences and Exhibition), for workshops, presentations, and discussions focused on green chemistry education, curriculum transformation, sustainability, and communities of practice. Meet Dr. Jonathon Moir and Dr. Monica Soma Hensley at the sessions below.

Workshop on Green Chemistry in Teaching and Laboratory Instruction

May 25 | 8:00–11:40 AM ET | Meeting Room 810 | Workshop/Technical Session
A hands-on workshop exploring practical strategies for teaching and assessing Green Chemistry across undergraduate lecture and laboratory courses.
Featuring: Dr. Jonathon Moir, Dr. Monica Soma Hensley, Prof. Barb Morra, Dr. David Laviska, Prof. Kylie Luska, and Prof. John De Backere
REGISTER HERE!

Green Chemistry Professional Mentoring Networks (PMNs)

May 25 | 6:00–7:30 PM ET | Exhibit Hall DE | Poster Presentation
Learn about Beyond Benign’s new NSF-funded mentoring initiative designed to support widespread adoption of Green Chemistry in undergraduate education.
Presented by: Dr. Jonathon Moir

Instructors’ Perceived Impact of a Centralized Green Chemistry Education Database

May 26 | 8:40–9:00 AM ET | Meeting Room 602A | Oral Presentation
Explore research on how educators are using Green Chemistry teaching resources and the factors that support successful curriculum integration.
Presented by: Dr. Monica Soma Hensley

Creating Systemic Change in Chemistry Education Through Communities of Practice

May 27 | 4:20–4:40 PM ET | Meeting Room 602A | Oral Presentation
Explore how the Green Chemistry Commitment and Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community are helping educators build confidence, connection, and long-term curricular change.
Presented by: Dr. Jonathon Moir

Developing Instructor Capacity in Green Chemistry Education

May 27 | 6:00–7:30 PM ET | Exhibit Hall DE | Poster Presentation
Discover how Beyond Benign’s self-paced professional development course helps educators integrate Green Chemistry and sustainability into undergraduate teaching through practical, scalable instructional design.
Presented by: Dr. Monica Soma Hensley

Green and Sustainable Practices in Chemistry and Engineering Education (2 Sessions)

May 28 | Meeting Room 717A | Symposium

Session 1: 2:00–3:40 PM ET
Session 2: 4:00–6:00 PM ET

Join a collaborative afternoon symposium exploring innovative approaches to integrating Green Chemistry and sustainability into chemistry and engineering education, including curriculum mapping, laboratory redesign, systems thinking, open-access teaching tools, and strategies for embedding sustainability across undergraduate coursework.
Session Chairs: Dr. Monica Soma Hensley, Dr. Jonathon Moir, Prof. Kylie Luska, Prof. Barb Morra, and Dr. Alisha Szozda

👋 Connect With x2026 Attendees Before and During the Conference! Join the x2026 group space on the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC) to connect with Beyond Benign staff and fellow attendees, ask questions ahead of the conference, and continue conversations throughout the event.

MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER COURSE: Sustainable Science: Contextualizing Chemistry Through Safer Hand-On Labs
2026-06-08 - 2026-06-29 | Online
If you’re a science teacher looking to create a safer, more engaging learning environment for your students, this is the course for you!

ABOUT THIS COURSE
Are you a science teacher looking to create a safer, more engaging learning environment for your students? Learn how to weave Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS) sustainability content into your classrooms in this remote learning course for middle school and high school science teachers.
Beyond Benign Lead Teacher Erin Mayer will teach this course through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning. Participants will leave with a toolkit of resources and access to a network of other like-minded educators in the region.

**Free for NY teachers, select other states, and Environmental Justice Communities, with discount code (limited numbers of free spots for each state)

THIS COURSE IS RIGHT FOR YOU IF:

You’re interested in engaging strategies for NGSS/NYSSLS-aligned chemistry, biology, physics, earth science labs
You want to earn up to 16 CTLE credits (NYS) or 1 grad level relicensure credit (Adams State University)
You want to foster a safe and engaging classroom environment
You’re interested in how problem-solving with chemistry helps create solutions for sustainability challenges through –

Three-dimensional storylines
Creating comprehensive, relevant learning opportunities
Helping students make sense of their world, see themselves as forward- thinking problem-solvers in that world
Helping students develop scientific literacy and curiosity in your labs

BY ENROLLING YOU’LL LEARN:

How to explain the key elements of green chemistry.
How to examine the effects of chemical products and processes on human health and the environment.
How to develop safer alternatives to traditional K-12 investigations and activities that are aligned with the NGSS/NYSSLS.
How to apply chemical hazard awareness tools to reduce risk in the classroom and lab.
How to implement green chemistry principles and practices in the classroom.
How to modify and “green” labs, utilize risk analysis, and apply phenomenon-based, 3-dimensional practices and concepts

COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE:

Connecting Green Chemistry to global sustainability
How Green Chem education influences students to become part of the change
Explaining the key Green Chem principles to others (admin, colleagues, etc)
Examining the effects of chemical products and process on human health and the environment
Reflecting on how Green Chemistry can drive NGSS/NYSSLS-aligned instructional practices
Understanding criteria in the risk equation and general toxicology
Applying chemical hazard awareness tools to reduce risk in lab and classroom
Reviewing replacement labs developed to replace high-risk labs
Learn to develop a NGSS/NYSSLS-aligned green chemistry lesson plan with support

Funding provided by the NYS Pollution Prevention Institute through a grant from the Environmental Fund as administered by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER COURSE: Introducing Green Chemistry in the High School Classroom
2026-06-08 - 2026-08-03 | Online
If you’re looking to integrate green chemistry principles and practices into your teaching through real-world sustainable inventions, this is the course for you!

ABOUT THIS COURSE

High school chemistry teachers and middle/high school physical science teachers: Join us for a course that will support Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) integration in your classes!
In this course, Beyond Benign Certified Lead Teacher Cassidy Javner will help prepare you to integrate green chemistry principles and practices into your teaching through real-world sustainable inventions. You’ll also learn how to develop safer labs and lessons aligned to your local standards in an interactive online environment.
This course features forum discussions, lesson plan development, and 3 synchronous zoom classes. Discussions will focus on how to prepare for effective remote learning in this time of an ever-changing educational landscape.

*Free for NY teachers, some other states, and Environmental Justice Communities, with discount code (contact info@beyondbenign to find out if your state has a discount available and if you teach in NYS and haven’t received your code)

THIS COURSE IS RIGHT FOR YOU IF:

You want to earn up to 48 CTLE credits (NYS) or 3 grad level relicensure credits (Adams State University)
You want to create a safer, more engaging learning environment
You’re interested in how problem solving with chemistry helps create solutions for sustainability challenges

BY ENROLLING YOU’LL LEARN:

How to explore and explain the 12 principles of green chemistry in your classroom.
How to give examples of how green chemistry is being used in industry to make the world more sustainable.
How to design lessons to incorporate green chemistry phenomena that are aligned to NGSS/NYSSLS
How to explore and participate in the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC), a community of educators and researchers sharing learning around sustainable science.
How to identify lab activities that are of concern to the health and safety of humans and the environment, and then develop safer alternatives.
How to develop a course plan that weaves green chemistry lesson plans and lab activities through their existing curriculum

COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE:

Understanding how green chemistry is critical to future sustainability globally
Developing safer labs and lessons: Understanding hazards and risk through preparation
Preparing for effective student driven learning: developing curiosity, agency and science literacy through problem-solving
Integrating green chemistry into your teaching: Learning the 12 Green Chemistry Principles, how to discuss them, and where to apply them
Joining a global Green Chemistry Community of Practice: Discovering OER created by peers for peers and what educators are sharing about sustainable science and research
Exploring industry connections to green chemistry and weaving into labs/lessons
Replacement Labs and Implementation Plans

WANT MENTORSHIP SUPPORT?
Implementation can be challenging! Wouldn’t it be great to do this with the support of an expert teacher and the shared experience of your peers? Now New York teachers have an opportunity to pair the Advance Green Chemistry course with a new Fellowship opportunity for teachers interested in receiving mentorship support while implementing and integrating Green Chemistry into their curriculum.

Funding provided by the NYS Pollution Prevention Institute through a grant from the Environmental Fund as administered by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

Advanced Green Chemistry: Connections to Our World
2026-06-08 - 2026-08-03 | Online
If you’re looking to expand your students’ horizons and support their project-based learning and invention in the classroom, this is the course for you.

ABOUT THIS COURSE
Ready to take green chemistry to the next level in your classroom? Have you already started replacing your labs with safer materials?
Join Beyond Benign Certified Lead Teacher Annette Sebuyira as you expand your knowledge of green chemistry principles and practices by analyzing Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award technologies. In this course, you’ll dive into toxicology for chemistry basics and investigate the pedagogy for effective guidance of student-based research projects and inquiry-based projects.

**Free for NY teachers, some other states, and Environmental Justice Communities, with discount code (contact info@beyondbenign to find out if your state has a discount available and if you teach in NYS and haven’t received your code)
THIS COURSE IS RIGHT FOR YOU IF:

You want to earn up to 48 CTLE credits (NYS) or 3 grad level relicensure credits (Adams State University)
You want to support your students’ project-based learning and invention in the classroom.
You have completed Intro to Green Chemistry and are ready to advance to the next level, diving deeper into the 12 Green Chemistry Principles.
You are curious about how to foster student engagement through real world phenomena-based case studies.

BY ENROLLING YOU’LL LEARN:

How to discuss the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry in relationship to sustainability practices
How to apply Green Chemistry Principles to Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge project
How to relate Green Chemistry principles to toxicology concepts using existing Case studies (Storyline)
How to apply Green Chemistry and sustainable science principles to NGSS/NYSSLS aligned, student-centered STEM activities and inquiry projects.

COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE:

California Prop 65, EPA and Green Chemistry
“Cradle to Cradle” Design
Exploring Green Chem in action through industry examples
Analysis of Green Chem technologies
Analyzing and reflecting on Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge projects through the lens of the 12 Green Chem Principles
Reviewing SDS, understanding and filtering through safety hazards in classroom, analyzing resources that evaluate hazards
Exploring how toxicologists, EH&S scientists and chemists might collaborate to improve the chemical design process
Creating a lesson integrating toxicology
How to explore and participate in the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC), a community of educators and researchers sharing learning and resources around sustainable science.
Exploring new OER (Open Educational Resources) to guide students through a STEM or inquiry project
Designing a lab or developing a unit of instruction project according to educator interest or need
Reviewing project with peers and submitting to GCTLC (Green Chemistry Teaching & Learning Community) platform as part of OER high school collection

Funding provided by the NYS Pollution Prevention Institute through a grant from the Environmental Fund as administered by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

#GreenChemInAction
2026-06-10 - 2026-06-14
Our global community is transforming chemistry education for a sustainable future. This week, let’s share how and why we’re putting green chemistry into action! 📢
From June 10th to the 14th, in conjunction with our Green Chemistry Commitment Summit, we invite you to join our #GreenChemInAction campaign on social media by sharing specific actions you take to advance green chemistry. This campaign highlights contributions from educators, students, and industry professionals worldwide and encourages more changemakers to participate. We encourage everyone to get involved by posting about their green chemistry leadership and inviting colleagues, students, friends, and collaborators to participate. Read the steps below and invite colleagues, students, and friends to join you!
How to participate:
✅ Step 1: Download our #GreenChemInAction sign.
Access the sign here. You can print it, save it digitally, or create your own version.
✅ Step 2: On your sign, write how you’re advancing green chemistry.
Your commitments might include teaching, research, institutional change, or personal practice. Every action, big or small, helps build a sustainable future.
✅ Step 3: Take a photo or video holding your #GreenChemInAction sign.
We’re excited to see how community members are driving green chemistry!
✅ Step 4: Post your photo or video on social media, tag Beyond Benign, and use the hashtag #GreenChemInAction so we can amplify your efforts and inspire others.
Your post will help spread the word and motivate more people to get involved. We’re on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky. If you’re not on social media (or if you want to have double the fun!), you can share your photo in this Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC) forum!

2026 Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC) Summit – Virtual
2026-06-10 10:00 - 14:00
Attention academic leaders, students, and industry partners from Green Chemistry Commitment institutions! Join Beyond Benign and the green chemistry community at the 2026 GCC Summit to explore how to implement and scale green chemistry in higher education. Our global community can participate virtually on June 10th or in person on June 14th at the Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

Now in its 9th year, the GCC Summit aims to foster deeper engagement with green chemistry across curricula, laboratories, and workforce development. The program will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, working groups, and case studies that highlight the systems, partnerships, and strategies needed to embed green chemistry at scale.

GCC Signers: Check your email for an invitation from our team and register to join us for one (or both!) of these gatherings:

🧑‍💻 Virtual: June 10th, 2026 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT / 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. UTC
📍 In person: June 14th, 2026 | 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CDT | Marriott Rivercenter on the Riverwalk, San Antonio, Texas

2026 Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC) Summit – In Person
2026-06-14 12:00 - 18:30 | San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the River Walk, 101 Bowie St, San Antonio, TX, 78205, United States

The 30th Annual Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference (GC&E)
2026-06-15 - 2026-06-18 | San Antonio, TX, Marriot Riverwalk, TX
Members of the Beyond Benign team and community will be at the 30th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference (GC&E) in San Antonio, Texas, this June! Hosted by the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute, this year’s conference will center on the theme “Building the Future: Sustainable Chemistry for Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.” To connect with our team and community, add our green chemistry presentations and workshops to your agenda, find us at booth #13 in the expo, and, if your institution is a Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC) signer, join our in-person GCC Summit. We look forward to seeing you there!

🌱 Green Chemistry Commitment Signers: Join 2026 GCC Summit
If your institution is a Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC) signer and you are attending the conference, please join Beyond Benign for our in-person GCC Summit, taking place on June 14th during the GC&E. All GCC signers with accounts in the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC) will receive a registration link. If you have not yet received your invitation, reach out to gcc@beyondbenign.org for support.
Plus, join our Welcome Networking Reception for Students and Faculty at 6:30 p.m. following the GCC Summit.

🗓️ Add Our Green Chemistry Presentations to Your Calendar
Monday, June 15th (Pre-Conference)
Best Practices in Teaching Green Chemistry: A Workshop for Instructors

Organized by Dr. David Laviska (American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute), Dr. Sarah Prescott (University of New Hampshire), Dr. Jennifer Tripp (University of San Francisco), Dr. Tom Umile (Villanova University), and Dr. Alexey Leontyev (North Dakota State University).
This full-day workshop helps science instructors incorporate the principles of green and sustainable chemistry and engineering into their curricula. The agenda covers four topic areas: systems thinking, faculty mentoring networks, case studies in the classroom, and assessments relevant to green and sustainable chemistry. Beyond Benign’s contribution focuses on developing and using case studies to highlight green chemistry principles in real-world classroom contexts, which will be presented by Dr. Tom Umile and Dr. Jennifer Tripp as part of the full-day workshop.
🗓️ June 15th | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT
📍Room TBD – Marriott Rivercenter

Frontlines of Innovations: Green Chemistry for Resilient Communities
Presented by workshop organizers Dr. Laurel Royer (Carnalis Consulting), Dr. Loyd Bastin (Widener University), Dr. Monica Hensley (Beyond Benign), Dr. Sederra Ross (American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute), and Dr. Mahlet Gardew (AAAS Fellows).
Green chemistry is more than a scientific framework; it is a pathway to equity and resilience. This workshop explores how green chemistry can serve as a tool for reducing toxic exposures and improving health outcomes in communities disproportionately burdened by pollution and environmental hazards. Through real-world case studies, storytelling, and interactive dialogue, the session will examine how chemists can partner with frontline and fenceline communities to inform research priorities, shape safer product design, and support community-driven solutions.
🗓️ June 15th | Time TBD
📍 Room TBD – Marriott Rivercenter

Tuesday, June 16th
Green Chemistry Case Studies in the Undergraduate Curriculum
Dr. Tom Umile (Villanova University), Dr. Jennifer Tripp (University of San Francisco), Dr. Monica Hensley (Beyond Benign), and Dr. David Laviska (American Chemical Society).
This symposium features examples of green chemistry case studies used by educators alongside real-world examples from industry experts. The session supports the American Chemical Society Guidelines for Undergraduate Chemistry Programs, which encourage case-study pedagogy to connect chemistry content with environmental, health, regulatory, and business considerations influencing chemical processes and product design.
🗓️ June 16th | 2-6 p.m.
📍 Salon L — Marriott Rivercenter

Making the Case for Soybeans: Sustainable Solutions for Industrial Applications
Dr. Jane E. Wissinger (University of Minnesota), Dr. Michael T. Wentzel, and Dr. Monica Hensley (Beyond Benign).
This presentation introduces a series of case studies built on soy chemistry that connect chemistry concepts with sustainable industrial applications. Topics include safer and more resilient electrical transformers, recycled asphalt, hydrogenated oils for candle wax, and biobased adhesives for wood, with examples adaptable across general, organic, biochemistry, materials, and environmental chemistry courses.
🗓️ June 16th | 2:25-2:45 p.m.
📍 Salon L — Marriott Rivercenter
💬 Green Chemistry and Engineering Poster Session & Reception
This conference-wide poster session and reception on June 16th from 6-8:10 p.m. in Salon H at the Marriott Rivercenter includes multiple Beyond Benign-affiliated posters highlighting green chemistry education, institutional change, expert engagement, and global resource-sharing through the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community. Check out the list of posters from our community:
Institutionalizing Change for a Sustainable Future: A Commitment to Green Chemistry
Dr. Juliana Vidal, Dr. Michelle Duarte, Dr. Omar Villanueva, and Dr. Amy Cannon (Beyond Benign).
This poster presentation centers on the Green Chemistry Commitment and the institutional pathways through which Beyond Benign supports lasting change in higher education. It highlights how institutions can embed green chemistry across curricula, laboratories, and broader campus systems to advance sustainable chemistry education.
🗓️ June 16th | 6-8 p.m.
📍 Salon H — Marriott Rivercenter, Poster #93

Engaging Experts to Promote Sustainable Chemistry
Dr. Francesca Kerton (Memorial University of Newfoundland) and Dr. Juliana Vidal (Beyond Benign).
This poster presentation explores expert-engagement strategies that support sustainable chemistry education and practice. The work highlights how collaboration with field experts can help strengthen green chemistry learning, expand professional connections, and support broader adoption of sustainable chemistry approaches.
🗓️ June 16th | 6-8 p.m.
📍 Salon H — Marriott Rivercenter

Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC): Accelerating the Adoption of Green Chemistry Education and Teaching Practice Across the World
Dr. Jonathon Moir, Dr. Sarah Kennedy, Dr. Alisha Szozda, Dr. Omar Villanueva, and Dr. Amy Cannon (Beyond Benign).
This poster presentation highlights the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC), a global hub for resource sharing and educator collaboration developed by Beyond Benign in partnership with the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute. The poster explores how the platform is accelerating the adoption of green chemistry education and teaching practice across the world.
🗓️ June 16th | 6:10-8:10 p.m.
📍 Salon H & I — Marriott Rivercenter

Wednesday, June 17th
Green Chemistry Resources in the Classroom and Laboratory — Part 1
Kendra Denlinger (Xavier University), Dr. Richard Mullins (Xavier University).
Dr. Monica Hensley (Beyond Benign), and Dr. David Laviska (American Chemical Society) This symposium showcases practical green chemistry resources educators can use across general, organic, and upper-level chemistry classes, including resources developed by Beyond Benign, the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute, the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community, and others. Speakers will share what they are using, why it matters, and how educators can take actionable steps toward both major curriculum changes and small first shifts.
🗓️ June 17th | 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
📍 Salon D — Marriott Rivercenter

Green Chemistry Professional Mentoring Networks: A New Five-Year NSF-Funded Program to Advance the Adoption and Implementation of Green Chemistry Curriculum Materials
Dr. Jonathon Moir (Beyond Benign), Dr. Monica Hensley (Beyond Benign), Dr. Nikita Burrows (Monmouth University), Dr. Omar Villanueva (Beyond Benign), and Dr. Amy Cannon (Beyond Benign).
This presentation introduces Beyond Benign’s five-year, $1.8 million National Science Foundation-funded Green Chemistry Professional Mentoring Networks program, which supports up to 160 faculty and educational practitioners through thematically focused mentoring groups. Participants receive peer mentorship, access to green chemistry experts, professional development time, a stipend, travel support to an in-person summit, and curriculum development funds. The talk will share the program overview, research framework, and initial outcomes to date.
🗓️ June 17th | 9:55-10:15 a.m.
📍 Salon D — Marriott Rivercenter

Teaching the Future: Education, Belonging, and the Next Era of Green Chemistry
Dr. Juliana Vidal (Beyond Benign).
This invited fireside-chat-style session explores how the future of green chemistry will be shaped not only by new molecules and materials but also by education, community, and who feels empowered to participate in the field. Drawing on Dr. Vidal’s research background in waste valorization and biorefinery approaches and her leadership at Beyond Benign, the conversation invites attendees to consider how green chemistry can become a lived practice through curriculum, mentorship, and collective action.
🗓️ June 17th | 9:55-10:15 a.m.
📍 Salon J — Marriott Rivercenter

Working in Partnership for International Green Chemistry Education
Dr. Glenn Hurst, University of York) and Dr. Juliana Vidal (Beyond Benign).
This presentation explores how international partnerships can support the global adoption of green chemistry instruction across diverse social, environmental, and economic contexts. The speakers will share examples of effective partnership models and discuss how intentional, systems-based collaboration can make green chemistry education more accessible, scalable, and effective.
🗓️ June 17th | 11:10-11:30 a.m.
📍 Salon D — Marriott Rivercenter

Green Chemistry Resources in the Classroom and Laboratory — Part 2
Dr. Kendra Denlinger (Xavier University), Dr. Richard Mullins (Xavier University), Dr. Monica Hensley (Beyond Benign), and David Laviska (American Chemical Society).
This afternoon continuation of the symposium covers faculty perspectives on core green chemistry competencies, the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute’s new Fundamentals of Green Chemistry professional development course, engineering perspectives on bridging green chemistry education and practice, and several greener-laboratory case studies.
🗓️ June 17th | 2-5 p.m.
📍 Salon D — Marriott Rivercenter

Shared Chemical Hazard Data as an Accelerator for Safer Substitution and Green Chemistry Decision-Making
Heather McKenney (ChemFORWARD), Dr. Mike Delee (Dow Chemical Company), Sara Farahmand (The Honest Company), Dr. Monica Hensley (Beyond Benign), and Dr. Amy Cannon (Beyond Benign).
This presentation highlights the Chemical Hazard Data Trust, a public-interest asset managed by ChemFORWARD that provides standardized, peer-reviewed GHS-based chemical hazard assessments to support safer chemical selection. The talk will explore how shared hazard data can help identify safer functional alternatives, promote verified safer materials, and support hazard-based metrics, including its use as an educational tool in Beyond Benign Green Chemistry Commitment signatory classrooms.
🗓️ June 17th | 2:25-2:45 p.m.
📍 Salon K — Marriott Rivercenter

Incorporating Systems Thinking and the UN SDGs into an Online GOB Second Semester Lab
Dr. Cynthia Woodbridge (Georgia Gwinnett College) with Dr. Omar Villanueva (Beyond Benign).
This presentation shares examples from Georgia Gwinnett College’s work to update the online lab portion of an Organic-Biochemistry course by integrating systems thinking, green chemistry, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The session will highlight selected adaptations designed to make online lab activities more engaging, meaningful, and connected to broader sustainability learning outcomes.
🗓️ June 17th | 4:20-4:40 p.m.
📍 Salon D — Marriott Rivercenter

Development of an Online Green Chemistry Professional Development Course
Dr. Monica Hensley, Dr. Amy Cannon, and Dr. Omar Villanueva of Beyond Benign, alongside Dr. Jaime Curtis-Fisk, Melissa Schisler, Dr. Nesta Bortey-Sam, and Dr. Douglas Raynie.
This poster presentation highlights the development of an online green chemistry professional development course. The presentation reflects Beyond Benign’s ongoing work to expand accessible professional learning opportunities that support educators in bringing green chemistry principles, resources, and practices into their teaching.
🗓️ June 17th | 6-8:30 p.m.
📍 Salon G — Marriott Rivercenter, Poster #11

Thursday, June 18th
Building a Sustainable Molecular Foundation Through Green Chemistry Innovation and Education
Beyond Benign Co-Founders Dr. John Warner and Dr. Amy Cannon.
This presentation frames Beyond Benign’s vision for building a sustainable molecular foundation through green chemistry innovation and education. It discusses the Technology Greenhouse and the Green Chemistry Commitment as global initiatives driving systemic change in how chemistry is taught, practiced, and connected to industry. The talk anchors a broader session on chemistry for the future by exploring how education and innovation pipelines can move basic science toward real-world impact.
🗓️ June 18th | 2:05-2:45 p.m.
📍 Salon J — Marriott Rivercenter
