Empowering Educators and Students to Create a Sustainable Future
At Stanley Park High School, we recognize the critical importance of equipping our students with the knowledge and skills to address the pressing environmental challenges of our time. That’s why we’re thrilled to share with you the amazing work being done by the team at Beyond Benign through their Green Chemistry Education Awards program.
Beyond Benign, a non-profit organization co-founded by Dr. Amy Cannon and Dr. John Warner, has been at the forefront of the green chemistry movement since 2007. Their mission is to empower educators to transform chemistry education for a sustainable future, and the Green Chemistry Education Awards are a shining example of their commitment to this goal.
Integrating Green Chemistry into Curricula
The Green Chemistry Education Awards aim to support the integration of green chemistry education into courses and curricula across higher education institutions. By providing financial aid, Beyond Benign is helping to drive impactful change and foster a new generation of chemists, engineers, and scientists who are equipped to tackle the environmental challenges we face.
“Green chemistry education is a fundamental tool for the achievement of a sustainable future at the molecular level,” explain the authors of a recent article in the journal Green Chemistry. “It allows the development of a scientific workforce and knowledgeable citizenry with the skills to choose, assess, and further design more benign processes for human health and the environment.”
The Green Chemistry Commitment
In 2013, Beyond Benign launched the Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC), a program that invites higher education institutions to signal their intent to incorporate green chemistry into their curricula. This link to the school’s home page highlights the importance of this commitment and the ways in which Stanley Park High School is working to support it.
“Over 150 institutions in more than 15 countries are now part of this growing program, with the ultimate goal of advocating for a diverse, accessible, inspiring, and empowered green chemistry community capable of providing the transformation needed for a sustainable future.”
The Green Chemistry Education Challenge Awards
As part of the GCC program, Beyond Benign offers the Green Chemistry Education Challenge Awards to provide financial support for specific projects and initiatives aimed at integrating green chemistry education. These awards are open to both higher education institutions and K-12 educators, with the goal of empowering educators at all levels to prepare students for a sustainable future.
Funding Opportunities for Higher Education
The Green Chemistry Education Awards for higher education institutions provide funding ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support a variety of projects, such as:
- Increasing awareness of green chemistry and the GCC program within the chemistry department and institution
- Transforming curriculum and lab procedures to align with the GCC’s Green Chemistry Student Learning Objectives
- Preparing students with essential green chemistry competencies in theory, toxicology, laboratory skills, and application
According to the Beyond Benign website, in December 2023, they selected 13 Green Chemistry Education Challenge Award winners and distributed $80,000 to university partners around the world.
Funding Opportunities for K-12 Educators
Beyond Benign also offers Green Chemistry Education awards for K-12 educators, designed to support the integration of green chemistry into educational settings. These awards, of up to $1,000 each, have empowered K-12 teachers to attend and present at conferences, fund classroom projects, develop and host workshops, and acquire supplies for green chemistry activities.
“Beyond Benign hopes to empower and support K-12 educators to prepare their students with the skills to innovate for a sustainable future through these grants,” the organization states.
Advancing Green Chemistry Education Globally
The impact of the Green Chemistry Education Awards extends far beyond the borders of the United States. In fact, Beyond Benign has made a concerted effort to support the incorporation of green chemistry education in institutions around the world.
For example, the organization recently awarded grants to three Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in the GCC program, each receiving $10,000 to advance green chemistry teaching and learning. These institutions, located in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Nigeria, are working to transform their curricula, develop new courses, and foster green chemistry awareness and adoption across their campuses and communities.
“Ultimately, the course redesign will enhance student learning experiences and promote green chemistry awareness and knowledge and sustainable practices across the department.”
- Adalgisa Batista-Parra, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
Celebrating Success and Inspiring the Next Generation
The Green Chemistry Education Awards are not just about providing financial support; they’re about empowering educators and students to become champions of sustainable chemistry. By showcasing the innovative projects and initiatives being undertaken by award recipients, Beyond Benign is inspiring others to follow in their footsteps and join the green chemistry movement.
As we look to the future, it’s clear that the work of Beyond Benign and the Green Chemistry Education Awards will be crucial in preparing our students to tackle the environmental challenges of tomorrow. By equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and passion for green chemistry, we are cultivating a generation of problem-solvers and innovators who will lead the way towards a more sustainable world.
At Stanley Park High School, we are proud to be part of this growing global community of green chemistry advocates, and we encourage all of our students and families to learn more about the incredible work being done through the Green Chemistry Education Awards. Together, we can create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
