Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are some of the frequently asked questions we receive for the program. If you don't see your question listed below, you can always reach out to Dr. Jonathon Moir ([email protected]) for help.
1. What are professional mentoring networks?
Professional Mentoring Networks, or PMNs, are small groups of individuals (up to 10 people) who meet regularly over Zoom over the course of an academic semester to support each other in adapting and implementing green chemistry into the courses they teach. Each group includes two co-leads (expert mentors) and eight participants. Each PMN focuses on a theme, namely one of the four student learning objectives of the Green Chemistry Commitment program: theory, toxicology, lab skills, and applications.
2. Is this opportunity only available to full-time faculty, or can an adjunct (part-time) faculty member, a postdoctoral fellow, or a graduate student apply?
Yes, adjunct (part-time) faculty who are teaching at the college level are welcome to apply. Postdocs and graduate students who are teaching are also encouraged to apply. In exceptional cases, professionals such as industry representatives/stakeholders, government officials, or non-profit representatives may apply if they have a strong interest in and relevance to curriculum development and green chemistry education.
3. Does my institution need to apply on my behalf, or do I apply individually?
All participants apply on their own behalf (individually). Applications from institutions on behalf of their faculty, teachers, or staff are not eligible or accepted for this program. Similarly, letters of support must be submitted by individuals in support of the individual applicants.
4. Can a group of individuals (for example, a student group focused on green chemistry) apply as a single application?
No, each application must be for a single unique person, as applicants are vying for a specific spot within one of the PMNs. Group applications are not accepted.
5. Can I apply for more than one PMN at a time?
Yes, applicants can choose to apply for more than one PMN in their application form in a given year (for example, applicants can apply to both the Theory and Lab Skills PMNs). However, participants will only be permitted to participate in ONE PMN in a given year. Reviewers will do their best to accommodate the applicant’s ranking preferences, but cannot guarantee 1st choice selections.
6. Can I participate in PMNs in multiple years (i.e., multiple times)?
Yes, participants who have already participated in a PMN previously can participate again in future years. However, if they are applying to the same PMN again (e.g., Toxicology), priority will be given to new participants or to those who have not participated in that PMN before.
7. What about K-12 educators? Can I apply if I teach at the elementary, middle, or high school levels?
Unfortunately, we are unable to support K-12 educators for this opportunity due to NSF funding restrictions. The one exception is if a K-12 teacher (such as a high school teacher) also teaches at the college or university level; if the curriculum redevelopment they wish to undertake is for the college or university level courses they teach, then they would be eligible to apply.
8. Do I need to have an existing teaching module to participate?
No, it is not required to bring an existing teaching module to participate. However, participants will be encouraged to evaluate their existing courses and teaching portfolio to either a) select an existing module, lab or set of lecture slides they currently use and work towards “greening” it over the course of the PMN, or b) choose from a set of available modules or curriculum resources to adapt and implement into one of their existing courses (such as those available through the GCTLC).
9. Are there any deliverables expected by the end of the PMN?
We require that participants submit their adapted/implemented module, lecture content, lab, or other curriculum material as an educational resource to the GCTLC platform at the end of the PMN in order to share it widely with the rest of the community and support open access to content that can help accelerate further adoption of green chemistry more widely. Flexibility will be provided, as in many cases updated curricula (such as lab experiments) may not be fully implemented or completed by the end of the PMN’s scheduled term; in such cases, participants will be provided additional time to complete their submissions.
10. When will I receive my stipend?
Stipends will be paid in multiple installments throughout the participant’s time in the PMN. Certain requirements (e.g., attendance at PMN meetings and submission of an educational resource to the GCTLC) must be met to receive the final installment of their stipend.