Bring green chemistry and sustainable science practices to your classroom by downloading our open-access green chemistry curriculum, attending a teacher training, or asking our experienced Lead Teachers how they began.
Green Chemistry Curriculum
K-12 curriculum consists of labs, lessons and units designed by teachers, for teachers that are aligned to state and national standards. Our open-access materials teach green chemistry principles and practices and related STEM topics through the lens of innovation while replacing traditionally hazardous materials with safer alternatives.
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Attend a Training
Teacher Trainings provide K-12 science teachers with the skills and tools to teach green chemistry and sustainable science in their classrooms through in-person and online training. To foster an understanding of the economic, human and environmental implications of chemical processes our training content focuses on green technology applications taking place in industry today.
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Ask, Be, or Connect to a Lead Teacher
Lead Teachers represent K-12 educators with advanced green chemistry training and curriculum expertise who are partnering with Beyond Benign to advance green chemistry and sustainable science among peer educators. Each year Beyond Benign invites participation from a new cohort of teachers to be green chemistry ambassadors at the state and national level.
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green chemistry in practice
Le Chatelier’s Principle lab
Traditional experiments used to teach equilibrium and Le Chatelier’s Principle involve the use of hazardous compounds like those containing cobalt (II) ions, chromate ions, and thiocyanate ions. Our green chemistry alternative to this lab uses safer materials that can be found at a grocery store. By reducing the hazardous materials used, our lab lowers risks in the classroom and eliminates the need for hazardous disposal.
View a preview of the lab.
Greener Clock Reaction case study
Replacing traditional labs with greener replacements not only reduces the hazards but also purchasing and waste disposal costs. Traditional clock reactions are often taught with a variety of different hazardous reagents. A greener alternative to these labs eliminates the use of many of the traditional chemicals and reduces the total cost of the lab for 500 students from $1,310.35 to $218.25, for an overall cost-savings of $1,092.15.
View the case study.
TAML lab
Green chemistry is a solutions-based science that encourages students to solve a wide array of problems. Labs inspired by cutting edge innovations and Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award winning technologies capture the imagination of students while incorporating key science standards.
View the lab.
"Each day of the workshop has been productive - and I learned so much that I can use in my job. It gave me ideas on how to modify some of my existing experiments!"
- Jeff Davis, Workshop Participant
frequently asked questions
Where can I get the supplies for labs?
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The majority of the lessons are designed to utilize inexpensive and readily available supplies. Thanks to a partnership with Flinn Scientific several of the labs with speciality supplies are now available as Green Chemistry Kits. See individual lesson about obtaining speciality supplies.
Will my student succeed on state exams?
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Beyond Benign labs are aligned to NGSS and state standards. Integrating green chemistry into the chemistry curriculum aids teacher’s ability to cover concepts included on state exams. If you are interested in seeing how teachers tailor lessons in your state connect with one of our Lead Teachers.
How is green chemistry different?
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Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. Unlike traditional chemistry, green chemistry addresses the risk equation (risk = hazard x exposure), specifically by reducing hazard related to industrial applications and lab experiments instead of simply reducing exposure.
