Professional Development

Middle/High School Physical Science and Chemistry Teachers, you are invited to join us, as the Department of Chemistry and Physics at Belmont University announces a NEW half-day professional development workshop* this spring.

Build a spectroscope and ride the waves of light as we explore absorbance, transmittance, and the mathematical relationship among wavelength, frequency and energy in Wavelength: A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of LEDs.

Why Register?

• There is no registration fee.
• Apply for a chance to receive a small microgrant for curriculum items, lab materials, or professional development opportunities that focus on green chemistry topics and classroom applications.
• Perform green chemistry labs, with an emphasis on preparation, student safety and chemical disposal.
• Receive a printed copy of both instructor and student versions of the labs taught at the workshop – including background information, lab procedures and analysis questions.

Event and Registration Information

• The workshop will run from 9:15 AM to 12:30 PM Saturday, March 29, 2025.
• Light breakfast snacks will be available.
• Registration ends Friday, January 24, 2025.
• Register under Upcoming Events at https://sites.google.com/view/its-easy-being-green-pd/home

*Expansion of my sustainable green chemistry workshop series is made possible by support from Beyond Benign.

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The ACS Green and Sustainable Chemistry Summer School (GSCSS) is a highly selective week-long program for graduate students and postdoctoral chemists and engineers. Each year, approximately 60 exceptional students from North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean are selected from a large pool of applicants and gather for this fully funded once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The American Chemical Society pays for all eligible travel and program costs.

Organized and hosted by the Green Chemistry Institute since 2003, the summer school typically features more than a dozen expert instructors who share knowledge and skills from across a broad spectrum of topics directly relevant to green chemistry and sustainability. Throughout the program, students attend lectures and interactive study/project sessions, present posters about their own research, hold discussions, and spend time networking both with each other and the GSCSS faculty. Alumni of this program have gone on to become leaders in many green chemistry and sustainability-related fields and provide participants with an extensive network of professional contacts.  

An exclusive online event on December 17, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Central European Time (11:00 am Eastern Time).

Designed for professionals in the chemical sector, these programs equip you to lead the transition toward sustainable practices while advancing your career. Our programs are delivered primarily online, in English, offering maximum flexibility to balance your studies with professional and personal commitments. 

At the event, you'll have the chance to learn about the unique curriculum, which integrates insights from international experts across academia, industry, and government. A special highlight of the session is a talk by Professor Klaus Kümmerer, a globally renowned scientist in sustainable chemistry. He will share his vision for sustainability's critical role in the chemical industry and explain how these programs prepare participants to be pioneers in this transformative field.

Take the first step towards making a meaningful impact in the chemical sector. Join us to learn how Leuphana University's postgraduate programs can help you stand out and shape the future of chemistry.
 

This free, virtual workshop is designed to help educators effectively adapt and implement a new case study that examines the various considerations and factors driving greener innovations in the metal plating industry. One of the primary chemicals used in this sector is PFAS, which acts as a fume suppressant to control chromic acid mist during the chrome plating process. While PFAS reduces exposure to the known health hazard of hexavalent chromium, its health and environmental impacts raise significant concerns, underscoring the need for greener alternatives.

The case study focuses on the design of a new non-PFAS, non-PFOS fume suppressant, applying the 12 principles of green chemistry. It explores the implementation of this greener product in real-world applications within the metal plating industry.

This resource is ideal for educators seeking to enhance their curriculum with real-world applications that align with the academic and professional guidelines for undergraduate programs, such as those set by the American Chemical Society. Participants will learn effective strategies for using the case study to illustrate to their students the critical interplay of chemical, environmental health, regulatory, and business considerations in the design of chemical products and processes, fostering a deeper understanding of the factors influencing greener innovations.

During the 1.5-hour session, facilitators will guide participants through the resources, offer practical strategies for adaptation and implementation, and create opportunities for educators to share insights. The workshop will feature group-based learning, discussions, networking opportunities, and a Q&A session. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your teaching toolkit, engage with peers, and inspire the next generation of green chemists.

Workshop Goals:

• Educate participants on the interplay of the different factors influencing greener innovations including chemical, environmental health, business and regulatory considerations
• Guide participants on practical approaches to effectively incorporate the case study materials into their curriculum.
• Empower participants to adapt and implement the case study resources and expand their professional network.

Chat with us before, during, and after this workshop series in our Greener Curriculum Showcase Series forum! Hint: this forum is part of the January Scavenger Hunt Week activity!

NOTE: This course will NOT be offered in 2024. It is undergoing redesign and is planned for relaunch in 2025.

This certificate program provides professionals with new tools for incorporating chemical
toxicity and human health considerations into product design, materials selections and supply chain decision-making. The courses focus on sustainability business models and green chemistry principles to prevent and reduce pollution at the source. Program participants may register for all 3 courses at one time, or register at least 2 weeks before the start of each course. During this 3-course program, you will explore:

• Business drivers and barriers to implementing sustainable practices
• Frameworks for incorporating chemical toxicity and human health considerations into
  product design, material selections, and supply chain decision-making
• The 12 guiding principles of green chemistry
• Environmental, economic, and societal benefits of green chemistry
• Latest research and regulatory developments in the field
• New tools for chemical design and methods for comparative chemical hazard
  assessments 

Courses included are detailed below:

3 required courses:

COURSE I: Sustainability, Toxicology, and Human Health 

September 25, 2023 - December 8, 2023 | Cost: $910 | CEUs: 5

Overview of fundamental principles of toxicology, human health, and material science. Participants will review their own business’ sustainability drivers and barriers while investigating the health and environmental hazards that contribute to human disease.

COURSE II: Principles of Green Chemistry 

January 2, 2024 - March 8, 2024 | Cost: $910 | CEUs: 5

Fundamental principles of green chemistry, including the human and ecological reasons for considering less toxic alternatives and the various green applications to chemical design. overview of new tools and cutting edge research for the design of 21st century chemicals that minimize hazards to health and the environment.

COURSE III: Assessment Tools for Safer Chemical Decisions 

March 25, 2024 - May 31, 2024 | Cost: $910 | CEUs: 5

Decision-making tools and methods used for comparative chemical hazard assessments. Participants will have an opportunity to use these tools through the completion of a culminating project.

More information is available through the following website:

https://oshce.uw.edu/pages/green-chemistry-chemical-stewardship-online-certificate-program

The Philippine Chemistry Congress is the biggest annual conference of chemists, chemistry educators and chemistry researchers in the Philippines. This brings chemists from academe, industry and government together in one venue to interact, share new knowledge and to collaborate. The 38PCC&2024IC2 will also feature technical exhibitors who will be able to showcase new products that can improve your performance and productivity, create partnerships, and generate new ideas.

Registration closes Monday, July 15, 2024

On the territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations of the Pacific Northwest, the trees are deep in conversation and negotiation via mycelial networks. The salmon return to make the stream bed fresh and cool for the next generation, while coastal nurseries provide a place to rest where old meets new and salty meets sweet.

Join us for a week to observe and explore how Nature creates the richness and complexity of life through chemistry. Adventure through the ecotones to learn the ways in which Nature operates at the molecular scale to communicate, assemble/ disassemble, purify, clean, colorize, protect, detect, repair, and a host of other functionalities that parallel those needed in commerce.  

Tune your senses through exploration, experience, and experts to understand the critical ways in which Nature’s chemistry differs from modern commercial chemistries to achieve the same functional end, and how this learning can broaden and benefit your approach to Nature-positive R&D.

The fields of chemistry and biomimicry will converge to explore the profound lessons nature offers for shaping a world characterized by high-performing chemistry strategies and materials that benefit the people and places in which they are made, used, and managed. Sip tea and watch the eelgrass sway while you practice Biomimicry Thinking with Nature’s recipes and methods.

While the content is designed with the non-chemist in mind, chemistry professionals will gain valuable insights into Nature’s life-friendly chemistry principles and hands-on training using the biomimicry research methodology.

Throughout this workshop, our world-renowned biomimicry instructors will teach participants to: 

• Recognize the roles chemistry plays in the natural world and their relevance to the roles chemistry plays in commerce and industry,
• Distinguish between biotic and abiotic chemistries in the natural world,
• Discover the principles underlying Nature’s elegant and sophisticated life-friendly chemistries,
• Understand the principles underlying Nature’s multifunctional, life-friendly chemistry-based materials,
• Use Biomimicry Thinking tools to abstract chemistry design principles and deep patterns from specific, function-based natural strategies, and
• Apply Biomimicry Thinking tools to solve a chemistry-related challenge.

This workshop is open to professional and university-level participants from all backgrounds and levels of experience with biomimicry. The agenda is designed for:

• Innovators within commercial sectors touched by chemistry, such as chemicals, cosmetics, packaging, textiles, electronics, personal care, medical, and energy, who are interested in bringing Nature’s Chemistry and materials genius to their project work and innovation strategies through Biomimicry Thinking.
• Innovators without chemistry training who are interested in gaining the knowledge that would allow them to be productive partners alongside professional chemists as they work to bring Nature’s Chemistry and materials genius to their project work and innovation strategies.
• Sustainability champions who want to be inspired by the natural world at the molecular scale as they work to solve humanity’s toughest sustainability challenges.
• Educators who want to bring Nature’s Chemistry and materials genius into the classroom.
• Students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Biomimicry program with Arizona State University interested in the Biomimicry Specialist Certification. This Immersion Workshop counts as one of two required in-person units. Learn more about the requirements for the Biomimicry Specialist Certification here.

This engaging workshop will introduce educators to national laboratory research in bioenergy. Participants will explore how the Bioenergy Research and Education Bridge (BRIDGES) Program, a case study-based bioenergy education curriculum, can be effectively incorporated into the classroom and help to educate students on this clean energy STEM pathway.

The case study-based bioenergy education curriculum is intended to be taught in diverse settings including community colleges, technical colleges, universities, and upper-level high school classrooms. Created by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory, BRIDGES provides background and foundational materials for students and instructors with no prior bioenergy knowledge.

Join us for three exciting days of information, exploration, expert talks, and tours of Argonne National Laboratory! New this year: A sneak peek into the next two case studies coming down the pike!

• This workshop is open to adjunct and full-time community college, technical college and university instructors. If space allows, upper-level high school teachers may also apply.
• If located greater than 50 miles from Argonne, participants may be eligible for U.S. domestic travel reimbursement (e.g. mileage, hotel, air).

• Applications are due no later than March 20, 2024. There is no fee for this workshop, however space is limited.

If you’re a science teacher looking to create a safer, more engaging learning environment for your students, this is the course for you!

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Are you a science teacher looking to create a safer, more engaging learning environment for your students? Learn how to weave Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) sustainability content into your classrooms in this remote learning course for middle school and high school science teachers.

Beyond Benign Lead Teacher Erin Mayer will teach this course through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning. Participants will leave with a toolkit of resources and access to a network of other like-minded educators in the region.

*Discounts available for NY teachers, Environmental Justice Communities and other states with code

THIS COURSE IS RIGHT FOR YOU IF:

•  You’re interested in engaging strategies for NGSS-aligned chemistry labs

•  You want to foster a safe and engaging classroom environment

•  You’re interested in how problem-solving with chemistry helps create solutions for sustainability challenges

BY ENROLLING YOU’LL LEARN:

•  How to weave NGSS sustainability content into your classroom

•  How to spark student interest and increase self-efficacy in your classroom

COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE:

•  NGSS aligned labs featuring easily accessible and safe materials

•  Plug and play lessons for physical science in chemistry classrooms

•  Lessons based on real-world innovations

If you’re looking to expand your students’ horizons and support their project-based learning and invention in the classroom, this is the course for you.

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Ready to take green chemistry to the next level in your classroom? Have you already started replacing your labs with safer materials?

Join Beyond Benign Certified Lead Teacher Annette Sebuyira as you expand your knowledge of green chemistry principles and practices by analyzing Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award technologies. In this course, you’ll dive into toxicology for chemistry basics and investigate the pedagogy for effective guidance of student-based research projects and inquiry-based projects.

*Discounts available for NY teachers, Environmental Justice Communities and other states with code

THIS COURSE IS RIGHT FOR YOU IF:

•  You want to support your students’ project-based learning and invention in the classroom

•  You have completed Intro to Green Chemistry and are ready to advance to the next level

•  You are curious about how to foster student

BY ENROLLING YOU’LL LEARN:

•  How to expand your knowledge of green chemistry principles and practices

•  How to infuse student-driven projects and research into your curriculum

•  How to develop deeper real-world chemistry connections for your students

COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE:

•  Analyzing Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award technologies

•  Introduction to Toxicology for chemistry basics

•  Integration of science research into your chemistry course

Funding provided by the NYS Pollution Prevention Institute through a grant from the Environmental Fund as administered by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.