Global Conversation on Sustainability (GCS)
2023-09-25
Official Event Description:
“Sustainable Action Begins With a Conversation”
Join a worldwide discussion of our environmental issues and how to achieve a more sustainable future on September 25th! The Global Conversation on Sustainability (GCS) is a project organized by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and the International Younger Chemists Network to connect scientists around the world, engage young researchers, and inspire our whole society to take action and address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals!
Sustainable action begins with a conversation, so invite your institution and organize your event! More information about the GCS project, important resources for initiating the discussion, and guidelines on organizing your own Conversation on Sustainability can be found here!
#Sustain4All
Event Details

Who: Open/Entire Community
When: September 25th
How: Registration here.

Fifth Session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5)
2023-09-27 10:00 - 2023-09-29 18:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Official Event Description
A one-day Youth Forum will be hosted in Bonn (Germany at the eagerly anticipated Fifth Session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5). Sessions will include four thematic panel presentations, a moderated intergenerational dialogue between youth and key decision-makers, and the official launch of the “Global Youth Declaration on Chemicals and Waste.”
The Youth Forum at ICCM5 will mark a historic moment for the UN and governments to hear directly from children and young people about their needs and priorities for the future of chemicals governance. Young people want to see targeted policies and programmes developed that will specifically address youth/children’s environmental health, rights, and justice in the context of chemical exposures, monitoring and risk assessments. Come join us at the Youth Forum!
Featured Panel
Educational Needs for the Transition to a Green and Sustainable Chemistry Revolution
11:30AM-12:20PM CET
With Dr. Juliana Vidal, Higher Education Program Manager at Beyond Benign
Official Session Description:
“Remember, please remember reinforcements are on the way – they’re sitting in lecture halls now, venturing into the field for the very first time, writing theses, leading marches, organizing communities, learning to turn passion into progress, potential into power.” – Harrison Ford
With ambition high to complete the final stages of negotiations and deliver a new, effective global chemicals management framework at ICCM5, the imminent focus will soon shift to implementation. How do we couple the goals of SAICM Beyond 2020 with transformations in chemistry education already underway, that will empower current and future chemists with the skills to put sustainability and safety at the center of their work – from research, to industry, to start-up initiatives? Moreover, how can we strengthen the role of academia in capacity-building efforts for chemicals management across countries and regions?
In this session, a panel comprising young professionals/scientists, chemistry students, and representatives of institutions who are building resources and increasing access for students in green chemistry education, will reflect on the challenges and opportunities in educational systems “meeting the moment.”
Event Details

Who: Youth, Governments, Industry, Scientists
When: September 25th-29th
Where:World Conference Center Bonn (WCCB)
How: Click here to follow along online

4th Commonwealth Chemistry Posters
2023-10-04 - 2023-10-05
Join us at this year’s online Commonwealth Chemistry Posters!
Official Event Description
A unique opportunity awaits you at this year’s online 4th Commonwealth Chemistry Posters, the only virtual chemistry posters event that is delivered by and for Commonwealth countries, to bring together chemists from across the Commonwealth working on similar and complementary challenges to tackle the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Do you want to connect with other chemists working in similar areas and facing similar challenges? Would you like to grow your networks and seek new connections and collaborations? Then join us for our 4th annual online poster event.
If you are an early career chemist, you will also have the opportunity to present a poster of your work to a wider audience – a potential springboard to new opportunities and collaborations. If you want to present a poster, submit your abstract by 14 September.
Why Attend?

Early career chemists:

Present a poster of your work to scientists from across the Commonwealth and reach a wider audience. You could also win a ‘best poster’ prize and be featured the commonwealth chemistry website
Discuss your work with those who may be addressing the same sustainable development goals, share methodologies and challenges
Grow your network and the potential for new collaborations at a critical time in your career

For established chemists:

Expand your networks and discover new talent in your field
Find out about research taking place around the Commonwealth, related to your area of interest
Seek out potential new collaborations
Help guide early career chemists by sharing your knowledge and experience

This event is free to attend and will take place in three two-hour sessions over 36 hours. All participants should attend two of the three sessions in order to maximise their networking opportunities with chemists from different countries. There will also be an opening ceremony.
Please note that Commonwealth Chemistry Posters is only open to those currently residing in a Commonwealth country, or those who are Commonwealth nationals.
For more information and registration, visit the official event site, linked here.

Featured Posters from the Beyond Benign Team
A Systemic Change for Addressing the UN SDGs: The Green Chemistry Commitment.
Dr. Juliana Vidal, Program Manager, Higher Education
Dr. Vidal’s poster will present the ways in which Beyond Benign’s Green Chemistry Commitment connects to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
From the abstract: In this poster, insights into the GCC program and green chemistry adoption around the world will be discussed, as well as the benefits of implementing green chemistry principles and practices in chemistry education towards the achievement of a sustainable future.

The Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC): Fostering transformative change in STEM education for a sustainable future
Dr. Jonathon Moir, Senior Program Manager, Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community and Dr. Amy Cannon, Co-Founder and Executive Director
From the abstract: Developed in partnership with the ACS Green Chemistry Institute, the GCTLC is a new online community platform where teachers and faculty educators at all levels (from elementary school through to university/college) can collaborate and share their knowledge and best practices around bringing green chemistry into the classroom. Community members can access a searchable library of community-contributed green chemistry educational materials on the GCTLC (including alternative greener lab experiments, in-class activities, lecture slides, and more). The platform also includes forum spaces to discuss the latest resources, give and receive mentorship, and discuss challenges and opportunities in reforming chemistry education with a focus on sustainability and green chemistry. This presentation will highlight work over the past two and a half years in developing the site as well as some of the principal features of the platform.

Green Chemistry: The Missing Elements, Part of the Dwain L. Ford Lecture Series at Andrews University
2023-10-12 16:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Andrews University, 8975 Old 31, Berrien Springs, MI, 49104, United States
Official Event Description:
The Dwain L Ford Lecture Series is co-sponsored by the Chemistry Honors Society, Andrews University Office of Research & Creative Scholarship, and Andrews University Community Engagement Council. It seeks to bring community relevant science to professionals, nonprofessionals, scientists, nonscientists, students and the general public.
Green Chemistry: The Missing Elements
Join us on Thursday, October 12th, for a lecture given by Beyond Benign Co-Founder and Board Member, Dr. John Warner. More information about this free, hybrid event is forthcoming!
Event Details

Who: Open/Entire Community
When: October 12th at 4:30 PM
How: Find Zoom information here, or attend in-person at Andrews University

Eastern STANYS
2023-10-13 17:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Official Event Description
The 40th Fall Conference will showcase innovative lessons, provide networking with fellow science teachers and a place check out the latest resources from our many exhibitors. The conference includes two 50-minute workshop sessions, a keynote speaker, exhibitors, dinner and door prizes.
Featured Presentation
Using Green Chemistry to Implement NYSSLS Based Labs
Lead Teachers Annette Sebuyira and Stefanie Loomis
Session 1 5:00-5:50
This session is designed to empower Educators with green chemistry practices which will aid in acquiring the knowledge, skills and opportunity to engage and collaborate with parents, families and other community members. Educators will learn how to practice more sustainable methods to improve instruction and student achievement in a respectful, trusting and safe environment.
In this activity, we are going to capitalize on it being Halloween season and sticking with the conference theme of scary. These green labs have been tweaked so as to include a storyline. That has a link to forensics and a murder mystery and poisonous lemonade… Participants will be able to use their investigative skills as chemistry practitioners to explore how to implement the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry through these two fun activities!
Event Details

Who: K-12 Educators: Elementary, Intermediate, High School Chemistry, General Science, Applied Science, Environmental Science, Engineering, Forensics Etc.
When: October 13th, 2023
Where: Schenectady Community College
How: Registration here.

LatinXChem23
2023-10-16 - 2023-10-17 | Virtual
From October 16th – October 17th, join our team and our Green Chemistry Commitment Signers (GCC) from Latin America to learn more about their amazing Green Chemistry initiatives during the LatinXChem Conference! The LatinXChem is a virtual forum through which the community of Latin American chemists worldwide can share and discuss their research results and advances.
If you are participating in the #LatinXChem 23 and showcasing your work in the field of green chemistry, you can win up to USD 200 vouchers as poster prizes! Our team at Beyond Benign is thrilled to sponsor this conference and support our green chemistry community worldwide!
Learn more about LatinXChem and register for the event here.
Event Details

Who: Open/Entire Community
When: October 16th- October 17th
Where: Twitter
How: Registration here.

Green Chemistry Connections
2023-10-18 12:00 - 14:00, 2023-11-15 12:00 - 14:00, 2023-12-20 12:00 - 14:00, 2024-01-17 12:00 - 14:00, 2024-02-21 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Online
Register now to join us!
Beyond Benign will host virtual and monthly Green Chemistry Connections around Green Chemistry education using the Green Chemistry Students Learning Objectives from the Green Chemistry Commitment program as a loose framework. Register to stay in the loop about upcoming speakers.
Each time we meet, we will host community leaders actively practicing Green Chemistry and/or Toxicology in their courses and/or laboratories. Connections grow through time dedicated to small group discussions, networking, and resource sharing.
We ask that you BYOR, bring your own resource or request to the community – share a resource or put a request out to the group for resources you need.
We invite you to bring your departmental colleagues, external collaborators, graduate teaching assistants, etc. to the discussion as we will be holding this space and time monthly for the community to come together around Green Chemistry education to advance the field together!
Register now to join us!
After registering, you’ll receive more information about the Green Chemistry Connections via calendar invites and emails as the meeting time approaches.
For event recordings, conversations, and networking, visit the Green Chemistry Connections Event Connections Forum on the GCTLC.

October

Introducing our First Ever Co-Organizers and Co-Hosts
10/18/2023; 12- 2 PM EDT
At our October session, you will meet our first ever Green Chemistry Connections Co-Organizers and Co-hosts, learn about opportunities to share your work during a Connection, hear more about the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC) – the new virtual platform for our amazing green chemistry community – and be invited to opportunities to engage with us!

November

Life Cycle Assessment and Green Metrics: Tips on Putting them into Practice
11/15/2023; 12-2 PM EDT
At our November session, you will hear from Dr. Samson Alayande (Founder, Green Nano LLC) and Dr. Philip Jessop (Professor and Canada Research Chair, Queens University, Canada) as they share presentations and insights about life cycle assessments (LCAs).

December

LatinXChem Connections: Award-Winning Posters in Green Chemistry
12/20/2023; 12-2 PM EST
At our December session, you will learn more about the LatinXChem annual Twitter Poster Conference from LatinXChem organizing committee member, Gustavo Mondragon.
This year, Beyond Benign was honored to sponsor two awards for posters in the green chemistry category. You will hear from winners Angie Sepulveda and Sergio Rincón-Carvajal as each will share their work. Find their posters linked below!
🥇🧪Angie Vanessa Patino Sepulveda (Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira), “Millimeter-Scale Physicochemistry and Its Impact on Green Chemistry in the Laboratory Environment”
(https://lnkd.in/ee2KmSjb)
🥈🧪Sergio Rincón-Carvajal (Universidad de Los Andes), “Design of simple, low-cost ball mill for teaching mechanochemistry to undergraduate students”
(https://lnkd.in/eYuTuBmS)

January

“Sustainable Chemistry: Preview of ISC3’s Vision and E-learning Module” and “UNEP Manuals on Green and Sustainable Chemistry”
1/17/2024; 12-2 PM EST
Read more about this month’s expert speakers from the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaboration Center (ISC3) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) below.
“Sustainable Chemistry: Preview of ISC3’s Vision and E-learning Module”
Speakers: Jens Krol and Juanita Halblaub (ISC3)
Jens is from the Netherlands, has a master’s in biotechnology and has worked as a chemistry teacher in the Netherlands and in Afghanistan through a special program of the German government. He currently manages the educational activities of ISC3. He loves Chemistry education and is therefore very happy to be part of this Green Chemistry Connection.
Juanita holds an MBA in international business and works at the ISC3 on the topic of sustainable chemistry innovation. She currently works on a publication that discusses examples of Sustainable Chemistry and is excited to share some of those examples with you.
Jens Krol and Juanita Halblaub will present products the ISC3 is developing and are looking forward to getting as much feedback as possible!
“UNEP Manuals on Green and Sustainable Chemistry”
Speaker: Colin Hannahan (UNEP)
Colin has worked on green and sustainable chemistry as a consultant with the UNEP chemicals and health branch since January 2021. Originally from the U.S.A., Colin holds his bachelor’s in chemical engineering from the University of Massachusetts and a Masters in Sustainable Chemistry from the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia in Spain. He has experience working with a range of stakeholders on strengthening green chemistry education and the science-policy interface.

February

Investigating green and sustainable chemistry through case studies
Dr. Veronica Mengqi Zhang, Organic Chemistry Lab Instructor, Michigan State University
Dr. Mengqi (Veronica) Zhang Mengqi (Veronica) Zhang is the organic chemistry laboratory coordinator at the Chemistry Department, Michigan State University. Her research interest focuses on curriculum development, instructional laboratory experiment design, green chemistry, and microwave chemistry. She is also an active member of ACS local sector and the Three-Dimensional Learning Team at MSU.
Taking Action in the Laboratory – Equipement and Plastics
Patrick Penndorf, Sceince Communicator and Sustainability Advocate, ReAdvance
Patrick Penndorf is a scientist from Germany with a background in Biochemistry. During his Bachelors thesis in Protein Chemistry, he started to come up with more sustainable protocols for his experiments. However, it was not until a research stay in Canada, that he got in touch with some colleagues that were as enthusiastic about sustainability as he was. They started an initiative and soon hosted an online conference to share insights into sustainable practices with scientists worldwide. Today, this initiative is called ReAdvance. They share their own insights and work together with international research societies, companies and initiatives to promote their solutions. It is their goal to help each and every scientist to make their science more sustainable by spreading greener protocols, labware and approaches.
Investigating green and sustainable chemistry through case studies
Dr. Elizabeth Day Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Texas at El Paso
Dr. Day is an analytical chemist with a major focus on chemistry education research and an interest in science/STEM education. Her expertise is in curriculum development and evaluation, assessment design, and green and sustainable chemistry education. Her laboratory leverages education research methods (mix of qualitative analysis, statistical modeling, and design-based research methods) to discover how to support student learning. Specifically, her approach centers assessing to support students’ knowledge-in-use through the framing of the Three-Dimensional Learning framework and a socio-cognitive perspective on educational measurement. Dr. Day is currently an Assistant Professor in the department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Reinforcing Green Chemistry Education in the Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory at the University of Toronto
Dr. Barb Morra Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, University of Toronto
Barb Morra is an Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto. Barb’s passion for chemistry and teaching translate into her pedagogical research and curriculum development initiatives which have resulted in a suite of research-based laboratory experiments, activities, and technological tools that help undergraduate students connect chemistry with research and applications. To further these efforts, Barb actively works with undergraduate and graduate students in pedagogical projects. Barb’s interest in green and sustainable principles has led her to transform chemistry education within her department through a variety of initiatives that have been recognized through the Green Chemistry Commitment program. Her role within several international green chemistry programs has allowed her to foster a green chemistry education community that empowers global educators to make meaningful changes in their teaching. Examples include her roles as an assessment consultant for the Green & Sustainable Chemistry Education Module Development Project and curriculum developer for the Toxicology for Chemists Program.
Rethinking Reactions, McGill’s Approach to Green Chemistry in the Organic Lab
Dr. Danielle Vlaho, Academic Associate at McGill University
Danielle is an Academic Associate in the Department of Chemistry at McGill University. As the lab instructor for the organic chemistry courses, she is interested in the development and implementation of robust and sustainable chemistry experiments that foster scientific curiosity.

March: Inspiration from Nature: Bioinspired and Biobased Materials

Bio-inspired materials processing: Time-tested tricks for sustainably fabricating advanced materials
Dr. Matthew James Harrington, Professor and Canada Research Chair Tier 2 in Green Chemistry (McGill University)
Matthew Harrington is Professor and Canada Research Chair Tier 2 in Green Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at McGill University, as well as co-director of the McGill Institute of Advanced Materials (MIAM) and director of the McGill Chemistry Characterization (MC2). He received his Ph.D. in 2008 from the University of California, Santa Barbara in the lab of J. Herbert Waite. This was followed by a Humboldt postdoctoral fellowship at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in the Department of Biomaterials, where he was later a research group leader from 2010 until 2017. His research is focused on understanding biochemical structure–property relationships in the function and formation of biological materials and applying extracted design principles for the development and sustainable production of bio-inspired materials.
Enabling technologies for the sustainable chemical synthesis of high added-value compounds from renewable sources.
Professor Julio Pastre, University of Campinas
Prof. Dr. Julio C. Pastre obtained his PhD in 2009 at the University of Campinas – UNICAMP. He then worked as a research scientist at Rhodia-Solvay before moving back to UNICAMP for postdoctoral studies with Professor Ronaldo A. Pilli. In 2012, he joined the group of Professor Steven V. Ley at the University of Cambridge. Two years later, Julio established his independent research group at UNICAMP and recently became Associate Professor. He is now the Head of the Department of Organic Chemistry. Recently, he was recognized as an ‘Emerging Investigator’ by Reaction Chemistry & Engineering and RSC Advances and a ‘New Talent from the Americas’ by RSC Medicinal Chemistry. He received the Thieme Chemistry Journals Award by Synfact, Synlett and Synthesis – Thieme in 2023. His research interest focuses on the development of new synthetic methods using enabling technologies for the synthesis of high added-value compounds from renewable sources, including platform molecules, new chemicals, and APIs.

Green Chemistry Activities by ACS UFRJ Student Chapter
Silmara Furtado, President, ACS Student Chapter at Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Silmara Furtado is chair of the ACS Chapter at the Universidad Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Silmara and her organization of excellent young chemists were awarded a grant from Beyond Benign for 2022-2023, and their work was recognized at the 2024 ACS Spring National Meeting with an Undergraduate Student Chapter Award in green chemistry.

Green Chemistry Initiatives by the ACS UPR-RP Student Chapter
Alanys V. Luna Ramirez, President, ACS Student ChapterUniversity of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras

Alanys V. Luna Ramirez is a student leader from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, working as president of the university’s American Chemical Society Student Chapter. Alanys and her organization of excellent young chemists were awarded a grant from Beyond Benign for 2022-2023, and their work was recognized at the 2024 ACS Spring National Meeting with an Undergraduate Student Chapter Award in green chemistry.

Green Chemistry; A Platform for Impact and Innovation at Novartis
Dr. Scott Plummer, Senior Principal Scientist At Novartis

Scott V. Plummer received his B.S. in chemistry from the College of William & Mary (1997) and completed his doctoral dissertation at Indiana University (2003) under the guidance of Professor David R. Williams. He began his industrial career at AMRI, where he spent five years as a process chemist in the Chemical Development Division. From there he moved to Alcon in Fort Worth, Texas to be part of their Chemical Preparations Research Team. In this capacity, he was involved in the synthesis of APIs from early process development thru GMP batch production. In 2013, Scott moved to the Global Discovery Chemistry unit within the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research. As part of the SynTech team, he is tasked with formulating material enablement strategies with research teams, outsourcing, and the introduction of emerging synthesis technologies to the project portfolio. Scott has a particular interest in the application of green technologies (biocatalysis, flow chemistry, aqueous surfactant chemistry) to programs in the portfolio. He runs the Green Chemistry team within the Global Discovery Chemistry unit and serves as Novartis’ representative to the ACS Green Chemistry Institute Pharmaceutical Roundtable.

TEDxAmoskeagMillyard 2023: Here and Now
2023-10-19
Save the date! Hear from Beyond Benign Co-Founder Dr. Amy Cannon at TEDxAmoskeagMillyard’s 2023 event: Here and Now. This event will be on Thursday, October 19, at Rex Theatre in Manchester, New Hampshire. Registration opens on August 1.
Event Details

When: Thursday, October 19
Where: Rex Theatre | Manchester, New Hampshire
How: Registration opens on August 1

E-Waste Management in Brazil: Diverse Approaches for a Sustainable Future
2023-10-19 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Official Event Description
Sustainable action begins with a conversation! Join CHEMRAWN, IUPAC, and Beyond Benign for a Global Conversation about Sustainability around e-waste management! During this 60 min event, you will hear from several approaches developed by the education community in Brazil to achieve a more sustainable future. Guest Speakers: – Cintia Milagre, Associate Professor, Institute of Chemistry – Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) – Marcela Cordeiro Cavalcante de Oliveira, Graduate of the Professional Master’s Degree in Chemistry on a National Network – PROFQUI – Chemistry Department – UFRPE – Karen Ouverney dos Santos, High School Chemistry Teacher and her students at Colégio Talentos Internacional Moderators: – Francesca Kerton, Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland – Juliana Vidal, Program Manager, Beyond Benign This meeting is free to attend wherever you are, and will be recorded and further shared with participants. We are looking forward to beginning and continuing this conversation with you! #GCSDay #Sustain4All
Event Details

Who: Open/Entire Community
When: October 19th at 3:00 PM ET
How: Find Zoom information here

Observe, Wonder, Think: A Green Chemistry Interactive Webinar Series
2023-10-19 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-11-16 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-01-18 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-02-15 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Online
Calling all K-12 teachers! Create safer, more engaging learning environments by integrating green chemistry and sustainable science principles into your classroom. Join your peers at our monthly professional development series: Observe, Wonder, Think: A Green Chemistry Interactive Webinar Series to learn how! Following NGSS best practice techniques, this webinar series will support K-12 educators to foster “observe, wonder, think” with their students using hands-on green chemistry labs and highlighting real-world green chemistry technologies.
This year, we will be highlighting the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry! Each time we meet, we will focus on a selection of principles, which we will bring those to life with a short, interactive classroom activity and presentations from education speakers demonstrating how they incorporate those principles into their classroom activities and labs.
We encourage you to invite your colleagues and friends to join these virtual discussions. We will provide a certification of participation at the end of every meeting, for use towards PD hours for those of you who can use them for that. This dedicated monthly time is designed to bring the green chemistry community together to advance the field and share ideas and resources for inspiring students through green chemistry!
Check the list below for more information on monthly sessions, which will be updated throughout the year.
Join the Observe, Wonder, Think event connections forum for recordings, recaps, and more opportunities to connect!

September

Chemical Storage, Lab Safety, and Lab Waste
Presented by Mr. William McMahon Lab Technician, State University of New York (SUNY) Jefferson Community College
09/21/2023; 6PM EST
Mr. McMahon has spent 20 years running the academic science labs and stockrooms at SUNY Jefferson. He will be presenting on chemical storage, lab waste disposal and lab safety. He will share many of the best practices that Jefferson has adopted to promote safety culture in the science division. He will share materials and devote time to a question & answer session.

October
Green Chemistry and Sustainable Science: A Green Approach to Sustainable STEM in K-12.
Presented by Lead Teachers Annette Sebuyira and Erin Mayer
10/19/2023; 7 PM ET

At October’s Observe, Wonder, Think Webinar, Annette Sebuyira and Erin Mayer will share
a new guide book designed by our dedicated team of excellent K-12 Lead Teachers, “Green Chemistry and Sustainable Science: A Green Approach to Sustainable STEM.”

November

Green Chemistry and Sustainable Science: A Green Approach to Sustainable STEM in K-12.

11/16/2023; 6 PM ET
At November’s Observe, Wonder, Think webinar, Beyond Benign Lead Teachers Stefanie Loomis and Veronica Morabito-Weeks will share principles and resources from Sustainable Science: A Green Approach to Sustainable STEM including flame tests and biomimicry presentations.

This guide book, created by Beyond Benign Lead Teachers and the NYS Master Teacher Program, Green Chemistry Professional Learning Team, is designed to help educators bring green chemistry to their elementary, middle school, and high school classrooms.

January

Bellingham High School: “Green” Laboratory Research
01/18/2024; 7 PM EST
The Bellingham High School Chemistry team has been researching new “green” chemistry laboratory experiments to replace high-risk experiments. Staff and students have tested over twelve laboratory experiments to determine if the “greener” option is as effective as the traditional experiment. We have also modified existing laboratory experiments to reduce risk. We will look into what has worked for BHS and share ideas for future research.

2023 STANYS Annual Conference
2023-11-03 - 2023-11-06
Official Event Description:
128th Annual Conference Theme: The Matter and Energy of STANYS
Since the release of the Statewide Strategic Plan for Science, we have made enormous strides implementing best practices shifting towards sensemaking. The materials, lessons, activities, storylines, performance tasks (matter) we have collected and developed over time, through professional learning/sharing, and networking (energy) has transformed our pedagogy.
More general information about the conference is forthcoming. Visit the STANYS official site for registration and updates.

Inspiring Students with Sustainable STEM and Green Chemistry
Lead Teachers Stefanie Loomis and Scott Carlson
Time and Date TBD
Are you teaching science and looking to create a safer, more engaging learning environment for your students? Learn how to weave NYSP12SLS suitability content into your classrooms. Participants will learn about the 12 green chemistry principles, as they immerse in hands on activities/labs, which will guide them into safer practices in the lab and classroom. Participants will be introduced to the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC) and the book: Green Chemistry And Sustainable Science – A Green Approach to Sustainable STEM authored by Beyond Benign’s New York Lead Teachers.
Event Details

Who: K-12 Educators, Higher-Ed Educators
When: November 3rd-November 6th
Where: Syracuse, NY
How: Registration here.

2023 US Innovators Roundtable
2023-11-14 - 2023-11-16 | St. Louis, MO
Event Description:
Join us on November 14th – November 16th at the 2023 US Innovators Roundtable in St. Louis, MO & Virtually. Hosted by Change Chemistry, formerly the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council (GC3), in collaboration with MilliporeSigma, the 2023 Innovators Roundtable will be an opportunity for green chemistry community members to engage in conversation with leading innovators, investors, and government officials in the green and sustainable chemistry space. Hear from Beyond Benign co-founder and board member, John Warner in his joint keynote presentation with Paul Anastas— which will be a reflection by these fathers of green chemistry on the growth of their efforts 25 years after the seminal work on green chemistry theory and practice.
Structured as a series of dialogues exploring topics, the roundtable will provide attendees with opportunities to meet and engage with key players from across the globe.
Why attend?

Leverage the trusted industry, government, and NGO relationships that Change Chemistry has built over the past 17 years to accelerate the transition to sustainable chemistry.
Learn about challenges and best practices across sectors and the value chain in responding to regulatory, market, and investor drivers to design and adopt safer, more sustainable chemicals and materials.
Network with colleagues and across sectors and stakeholder groups to build understanding and identify collaborative opportunities to grow green and sustainable chemistry.
Join the growing Change Chemistry collaborative community focused on accelerating the growth of green and sustainable chemistry solutions in the marketplace.

For more information, visit the official event site, linked here.
Event Details

Who: Scientists, Industry, NGOs, Governments
When: November 14th- 16th
Where: St. Louis, MO
How: Registration here.

8th Asia-Oceania Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry
2023-11-29 - 2023-12-01
Join us in Auckland, New Zealand from November 29th to December 1st at the 8th Asia-Oceania Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry (AOC-GSC8)! Hear from our Co-Founders Dr. John Warner and Dr. Amy Canon in their talks, more details listed below.
Official Event Description:
Following its postponement related to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are pleased to announce that the 8th Asia-Oceania Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry (AOC-GSC8) will be held at the University of Auckland, New Zealand from 29th November-1st December 2023. AOC-GSC is held every two years with the goal of advancing green and sustainable chemistry within the Asia-Oceania region. Past editions of this conference series have been held in cities across the region including Tokyo (2007), Beijing (2009), Melbourne (2011), Taipei (2013), New Delhi (2015), Hong Kong (2016) and Singapore (2018).
AOC-GSC8 will encompass the latest advances across all aspects of Green and Sustainable Chemistry, broadly defined as the development of new processes that reduce the use or production of hazardous substances. Topics covered will include but are not limited to energy, green synthesis and catalysis, toxicology, waste remediation and valorisation, biobased products, green chemistry education and environmental policy and management focusing on stimulating innovation to tackle major global sustainability issues.
We look forward to welcoming you to Auckland in November 2023.
AOC-GSC8 Organising Committee
Learn more about the event and register here.
More speaker information is forthcoming, check back for updates.

2nd Annual ACS Sustainability Summit: Reimagining Chemistry Education
2023-12-07 - 2023-12-08 | ACS Headquarters, 1155 16th NW, Washington, DC, United States
Official Event Description
The ACS Campaign for a Sustainable Future and the Green Chemistry Institute, together with the ACS Division of Education and Beyond Benign Green Chemistry Education, invite you to attend the 2nd Annual ACS Sustainability Summit: Reimagining Chemistry Education. This summit will bring together educators and thought leaders from across the spectrum of stakeholders working to advance green chemistry and sustainability in undergraduate and graduate education as well as training for those already in the workforce.
The summit will consist of discussions among panelists and participants attending both in person and online. The focus will be on facilitating critical connections between academia and industry to catalyze the propagation of green chemistry and sustainability concepts throughout curricula while expanding educational opportunities for both students and professionals. We will also highlight urgent requirements for accessible training that can provide every chemist and engineer with opportunities to cultivate valuable skillsets that empower them to make significant contributions toward achieving the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

In-Person Attendee – $200
Attend the 2nd Annual ACS Sustainability Summit: Reimagining Chemistry Education in person at the American Chemical Society building in Washington, DC on Thursday and Friday, December 7-8, 2023. Breakfasts and lunches on both days are included in the price, as well as a Networking Reception on Thursday night.
Virtual Attendee – Free
Attend the 2nd Annual ACS Sustainability Summit: Reimagining Chemistry Education as a virtual participant on Thursday and Friday, December 7-8, 2023. Virtual attendees will see a broadcast of the discussions and be able to comment via virtual chat. The event takes place in Eastern Standard Time, and you can join in at any point throughout the day.
Register Now

GCTLC Resource Hackathon
2024-01-10 16:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Join the Chief Editor of the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC) platform for a GCTLC Resource Hackathon! We’re calling all community members to join us for a virtual get-together to populate and expand the GCTLC’s library of green chemistry curriculum materials and resources.
Bring your favorite resources including:

greener lab experiments
published journal articles
green chemistry textbooks
tools (e.g., metrics calculators)
websites
and more!

Our team members will give you a step-by-step walkthrough of the upload process for submitting to the GCTLC. Don’t have a favorite resource in mind? Fear not! We will provide a list of Beyond Benign resources you can use to help in our library build-out!
All are welcome and encouraged to sign up for a GCTLC user account ahead of time. Have questions about signing up? Come without an account and we can create one together!
We invite you to share this event with your friends and colleagues, the more the merrier!
Register below. Happy hacking!

Info Session: Green Chemistry Commitment
2024-01-23 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
The Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC) is a framework to unite the Green Chemistry higher education community around a common vision to:

Expand the community of green chemists;
Grow departmental resources;
Improve connections to job opportunities;
Affect systemic and lasting change in chemistry education.

Join us for an information session, where you can learn more about the GCC’s benefits and outcomes of becoming a GCC Signer. We’ll also be sharing our latest initiatives for the higher education community including the Green Chemistry Teaching & Learning Community (GCTLC) Online Platform and our Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Initiative.
When your institution becomes a GCC signer, you will gain:

Access to a broad and supportive community of chemistry experts;
A flexible framework for green chemistry curriculum and training;
A benchmark to track progress on learning and research objectives;
A network dedicated to shifting how and what the next generation of chemists learn;
Access to funding opportunities and projects.

The GCC is a departmental commitment, so please consider inviting your colleagues or department chair to this event.

Featured Speaker:
Dr. Nasrin Mirsaleh-Kohan, Associate Professor of Physics and the Division Head of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Texas Woman’s University.

Dr. Nasrin Mirsaleh-Kohan is an Associate Professor of Physics and the Division Head of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Texas Woman’s University. She is dedicated to making STEM accessible through community engagement and creating programs that benefit students from underrepresented and marginalized communities with opportunities to excel in STEM. She is a Leadership Fellow for SENCER, the national academic organization for Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities. Additionally, she holds the position of co-director for SENCER Center for Innovation-Southwest.
Kohan’s research laboratory investigates the interaction between DNA and currently utilizes platinum-based anticancer drugs. She is also interested in the applications of nanomaterials, especially carbon nanotubes, and their use in the capture and storage of carbon dioxide. In addition to this research, Kohan is interested in understanding teaching pedagogy and student learning, particularly in science classes.

47 Reunião Anual da Sociedade Brasileira de Química (RASBQ)
2024-01-24 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
More information is forthcoming. Please check back later!

How Chemistry Can Enable a Circular Economy – presented by Sustainability & Circularity NOW
2024-01-26 08:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York)
Official Event Description
Beyond Green Chemistry, come and discover more about the concept of Circularity. Whilst Green Chemistry principles have accelerated optimization and development of sustainable linear processes, we need to move beyond value extension and aim at making chemical processes and production cycles circular by using waste (or ideally products) as a resource.
This is an opportunity to learn about new circular technologies and sustainable designs for your research. In this Thieme WebCheminar, chaired by Vania Zuin Zeidler (Germany), our speakers and Sustainability & Circularity Now Editorial Board members Chris Slootweg (The Netherlands), Anant Kapdi (India) and Juliana Vidal (USA), will respectively present their scientific findings in this field.
Our line-up:
• Chris Slootweg (The Netherlands) – “Circular Chemistry to enable a Circular Economy”
• Anant Kapdi (India) – “Can it be Copper? Sustainable Alternative to Precious Metal Heteroarene Amination”
• Juliana Vidal (USA) – “Green Chemistry, Circularity, UN SDGs and Education: Connections for a Sustainable Future”
This Thieme WebCheminar is of particular interest to organic chemistry students, graduates, and researchers in industry and academia. Sign up now to save your spot!

IUPAC Global Women's Breakfast 2024
2024-02-27 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Official Event Description
The U.S. National Committee for the International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry (USNC/IUPAC) and Beyond Benign are delighted to invite you to join us in the spirit of connection, gender equity, and sustainability for the IUPAC Global Women’s Breakfast (#GWB2024) held in conjunction with the U.N. Day of Women and Girls in Science. This virtual event hosted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will include overviews of the USNC/IUPAC and Beyond Benign followed by a moderated Q&A with a panel of women in the green and sustainable chemistry space. The panel will discuss their efforts for, experiences in, and insights for catalyzing this growing movement. Panelists will also discuss the new potential for community development and connection toward achieving a sustainable future. Registration for this event is free and we encourage the community to submit questions for the Q&A (link). If you would like to host your own GWB event either as a standalone activity or as a local discussion in conjunction with our panel, you can find more information at the IUPAC/GWB website (https://iupac.org/gwb/).
Agenda:
12:00 – 12:10 PM: Welcome and Introduction to the GWB 2024
12:10 – 12:20 PM: Dan Rabinovich, USNC/IUPAC Chair
12:20 – 12:30 PM: Amy Cannon, Beyond Benign
12:30 – 1:20 PM: Panel Discussion, Moderated by: Danniebelle Haase, USNC/IUPAC Vice-Chair
1:20 – 1:30 PM: Wrap Up, Conclusions, and Call to Action
Panelists:
Iriux Aldomovar, Assistant Professor, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Chile
Amy Cannon, Executive Director, Beyond Benign, USA
Catherine Cazin, Professor, Ghent University, Belgium
Tisha Mendiola Jessop, Principal Instructor, University of Colorado, USA
Read More about Panelists here

Royal Society of Chemistry Poster Conference
2024-03-05 12:00 - 2024-03-06 12:00 (Europe/London) | LinkedIN
Official Event Description
The event brings together the global chemistry community to network with colleagues across the world and at every career stage, share their research and engage in scientific debate.
We want #RSCPoster to be an inclusive event, connecting researchers from around the world to share and discuss their work. While #RSCPoster takes place on LinkedIn, we are happy for participants to cross-post their posters to engage in discussion with members of the community that use other social media platforms. Prizes will only be awarded based on participation on LinkedIn, so you must share your poster on the platform to be eligible.
When: March 5th 12 PM- March 6th 12 PM (GMT)
Where: LinkedIn, using the #RSCPoster tag

Green Chemistry Workshop with the University of Toronto
2024-03-06 10:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
Event Description
Learn how to use available resources (solvent selection guides, reaction design) to make your research greener!
Wednesday, March 6th from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm
This FREE event will be hybrid (in-person and online via Zoom) Free lunch and refreshments will be provided for all in-person attendees
Open to UGs, grad students, and postdocs from ANY institution

Frühjahrssymposium 2024 – Rethinking Chemistry: Towards A Greener Future
2024-03-13 - 2024-03-16 | Ulm, Germany
Official Event Description
“Welcome to the digital presence of our 26th annual Spring Symposium!
The “Frühjahrssymposium” (Spring Symposium) of the youth organization of the German Chemical Society (GDCh e.V.), the ‘JungChemikerForum’ (JCF), is one of Europe’s biggest scientific conferences for young scientists. In 2024, the JCFs of Ulm, Munich and Stuttgart are delighted to invite you to the University of Ulm!
The Spring Symposium 2024 is just around the corner. Get ready for an exhilarating journey at the upcoming Spring Symposium conference, where we’re Rethinking Chemistry and paving the way Towards a Greener Future!
Sustainability in chemistry is crucial now more than ever. As we face the challenges of climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation, it’s the responsibility of the scientific community to step up and lead the way. Chemistry, with its transformative power, can be a driving force behind solutions. Let’s come together to explore, innovate, and chart a path towards a brighter, sustainable future through chemistry. Stay tuned for inspiring stories, visionary speakers, and collaborative opportunities. Together, we can redefine chemistry’s role in building a greener, more prosperous world.
Learn more about the Venue, the Program and the organizing Team!
Registration is closed! Updates and most recent news will be published here, but have a look at our social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) for more detailed information.”

ACS Spring 2024
2024-03-17 - 2024-03-21 | New Orleans, LA
Join us next spring at the ACS Spring 2023 Meeting & Expo from March 17th – March 21st in New Orleans, LA, USA & Hybrid. ACS Meetings & Expositions are where chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. By attracting thousands of chemical professionals, the meetings provide excellent opportunities for sharing your passion for chemistry, connecting with one of the world’s largest scientific societies, and advancing your career in this ever-changing global economy.
Visit Beyond Benign’s Booth (#3231) any time in the Exhibitor Hall of the ACS Spring National Meeting to learn more about our team and our programs!

Beyond Benign Presentations:
Sunday, March 17th

Dr. Juliana Vidal, Presenter; Dr. Amy Cannon, Dr. Natalie J O’Neil, Dr. Nimrat Obhi

Green Chemistry Commitment: A pathway for achieving the new ACS Guidelines for Bachelor’s Degree Programs
10:00 AM (CST) – 10:20 AM (CST) Hall B, Room 6

Dr. Jonathon Moir, Presenter; Dr. Amy Cannon

Using the newly launched Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC) platform to address the updated ACS Guidelines for Bachelor’s Degree Programs
4:55 PM (CST) – 5:15 PM (CST) Hall B, Room 6

Dr. Amy Cannon, Presenter

Turning Passion for Sustainability into a Career in Green Chemistry Education
2:20 PM (CST) – 2:35 PM (CST) Great Hall, B/C

Monday, March 18th

Dr. Nimrat Obhi, Presenter; Dr. Natalie J O’Neil, Dr. Juliana Vidal, Dr. Amy Cannon

Green Chemistry Education: A Key Tool for Environmental Justice
04:50 PM (CST) – 05:10 PM (CST)

Tuesday, March 19th

Dr. Monica Nyansa, Presenter & Session Presider

Student-led Community Engagement in Action
3:20 PM (CST) – 3:40 PM (CST) Room 224

Beyond Benign Booth #3231 Activities Schedule
Come see us at booth #3231! Expo hours are 11 AM (CST) – 5 PM (CST) Monday (03/18) – Tuesday (03/19), and ends on Wednesday (03/20) at 2 PM.
Daily Raffle
(all day during expo hours)
When you come visit our booth and have your conference ID scanned, you will be entered into a raffle for a signed copy of Green Chemistry by John Warner and Paul Anastas. Winners will be announced daily during the final hour of the expo. If you are unable to retrieve your prize, it will be given to a runner up.
Meet the Expert with John Warner
(03/18 4-5 PM CST & 03/19; 12-1 PM CST)
Our co-founder, Dr. John Warner, will be visiting our booth to mingle with community members on Monday and Tuesday from 12 PM – 1 PM. Stop by to ask questions, or just to chat! See you there.
