Solutions in Chemistry: An Introduction to Green Chemistry in High School

Classroom Activities and Laboratory Procedures

Author Contact: rachel_pokrandt@beyondbenign.org

Summary

Developed by Pfizer and Beyond Benign, Solutions in Green Chemistry is a curriculum module meant to introduce both students and teachers to the concept of Green Chemistry. Not only does the unit provide suggestions to making a teaching laboratory more green, but it challenges students to think critically about content and to place that content in the context of sustainability.

The module is comprised of nearly thirty activities and worksheets (with more to come) each of which include a procedure, a materials list for the given exercise, the green principles addressed, the time required to complete the activity and the teaching standards met by each activity.

The activity topics range from allowing students to explore their stance on controversial topics to making acrylic paints containing organic pigments to building a structure and examining how their choice in materials affects the environment.

Spanish translations for all materials are available at the same URL (see below).

Summary prepared August 2008 by Douglas M. Young at the University of Oregon.

Category Descriptors

Chemistry Concepts

• Addition Rxn
• Industrial Chemistry
• Natural Products
• Photochemistry
• Polymerization
• Solid-Support Reagents
• Surface Science
• Toxicology

Laboratory Techniques

• Heating and Cooling Methods
• pH
• Thin-layer Chromatography
• UV-Vis Spectroscopy
• Vacuum Filtration

Green Chemistry Principles

• Analyze in Real-Time to Prevent Pollution
• Avoid Chemical Derivatives
• Design for Degradation
• Design Less Hazardous Chemical Syntheses
• Design Safer Chemicals and Products
• Increase Energy Efficiency
• Maximize Atom Economy
• Minimize the Potential for Accidents
• Prevent Waste
• Use Catalysts
• Use Renewable Feedstocks
• Use Safer Solvents/Reaction Conditions

Chemistry Subdiscipline

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Environmental Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Interdisciplinary/Multidisciplinary
• Materials Science
• Organic Chemistry
• Polymer Chemistry

Target Audience

• Secondary Schools

Source

• Internet Sources