Virtual

The Chemistry Faculty of Visayas State University - Tolosa is thrilled to reach out to Dr. Juliana Vidal, Program Manager for Higher Education at Beyond Benign, with an invitation to share her invaluable expertise on the Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC).

As proud members of the GCC consortium, we are organizing a series of virtual workshops focused on integrating green chemistry principles into academic curricula, and we believe Dr. Vidal’s insights will set the perfect tone for this initiative.

Join the conversation, live in the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community. Bring questions about all things green chemistry and receive expert answers from Berkley Center for Green Chemistry Executive Director, Dr. Megan Arnett!

With a PhD in neuroscience, Megan is one of many in the Green Chemistry community who comes from an interdisciplinary background. As such, Megan is constantly learning new aspects of green chemistry as the executive director of the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry at UC Berkeley, where she works directly with industry partners to identify safer alternatives to chemicals in their products or processes. Megan is lead instructor for several green chemistry courses at UC Berkeley, and runs an internship program and research center in collaboration with the USDA Bioproducts Research Institute. 

We’re kicking off 2025 with an exciting Green Chemistry Connections session! 🌱

Join us on January 15th from 8–10 a.m. UTC / 7–9 p.m. AEDT to explore nanoscale and nanotechnology for green and sustainable chemistry, alongside the brilliance of biomimicry. These topics showcase how Green Chemistry principles can be applied in innovative ways to solve global challenges. 

Our featured speakers include: 
– Sally Fierenzi, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
– Terry Turney, PhD, Sonic Essentials Pty Ltd & Monash University
(and others!)

↪️ This monthly webinar series is designed for educators, industry professionals, advocates, and anyone passionate about building a sustainable future through green chemistry. Register now to secure your spot and gain access to all events in the series, plus recordings: https://mailchi.mp/beyondbenign/connections?mc_cid=409bfe4d28&mc_eid=da8a16d315

Are you an aspiring chemist, a passionate climate advocate, or an interested member of the public? Do you want to change the world through science? Join the IUPAC CHEMRAWN and Beyond Benign throughout 2025 to learn from experts in the field who are leading the charge to solve existential, world needs through chemistry. Speakers will orient their presentations around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), as well as the IUPAC Top 10 Emerging Technologies, to demonstrate the power that chemists hold in shaping, and preserving, the future. 

Each talk will be accompanied by  2-3 minute videos on the topic, for chemistry students in high school, university, and for the general public.

January Webinar 

“From Detoxifying Chemical Warfare Agents to Treating Nuclear Wastewater: Adventures in the Synthesis of Metal–Organic Frameworks” 

Ashlee Howarth, Concordia University

01/24/2025 | 9:00 – 10:00 AM EST

Webinar Description:

Named by IUPAC as one of the “Top 10 Emerging Technologies in Chemistry” in 2019, what can metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) really do? IUPAC CHEMRAWN Committee and Beyond Benign invite you to learn more about MOFs and join the discussion with Prof. Ashlee Howarth from Concordia University! Prof. Howarth is dedicated to using green chemistry principles and practices to design and synthesize rare-earth cluster-based MOFs which can then be applied to clean up wastewater from coal and nuclear power plants, as well as decontaminate military equipment. Other applications investigated by Ashlee also include catalysis, drug delivery, X-ray detection, and chemical sensing applications to solve our current environmental challenges. 

More About Professor Ashlee Howarth:

Ashlee J. Howarth is an Associate Professor and Concordia University Research Chair at Concordia University in Montréal. She was born and raised in London, Ontario. She obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Western Ontario in 2009, and then went on to do her PhD in inorganic materials chemistry at the University of British Columbia under the supervision of Michael O. Wolf. Before joining the faculty at Concordia, she completed an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship at Northwestern University with Joseph T. Hupp and Omar K. Farha. At Concordia, the Howarth group is focused on the design and synthesis of rare-earth cluster-based metal–organic frameworks targeting applications in pollution remediation, catalysis, drug delivery, X-ray detection, and chemical sensing. Ashlee is also the contact point for the Green Chemistry Commitment at Concordia University.

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!

Join us in the GCTLC forums for an exciting “Ask Me Anything” interview with Dr. Amy Cannon - with you as the interviewers! 

From Nov. 12 to Nov. 15, post any questions for Dr. Cannon in our dedicated forum space. Dr. Cannon will be on hand during this period to answer your questions (time permitting!) – we do hope you will participate. 

Find Dr. Cannon's AMA forum and interview her here!

📚 Register TODAY for the Bioenergy Research and Education Bridge Program (BRIDGES) Bioenergy 101 Virtual Workshop on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Build knowledge and engage your high school, community & technical college, and university students with free high quality instructional materials in renewable energy based on national laboratory research!

Developed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Idaho National Laboratory, and Argonne National Laboratory, BRIDGES provides an opportunity for educators and students to learn about and prepare for the next generation of clean energy technologies. In addition, case studies represent actual DOE national laboratory research that will assist students to strengthen their research skills, improve their critical thinking, along with opening a world of new potential career opportunities.

Are you a program director for a sustainability or sustainability-related degree program? Is your five-year curriculum review looming… and maybe that process isnʻt working for you?  We know that sustainability degrees are different: interdisciplinary, community-engaged, career-oriented, justice-focused, and integrating climate literacy and resilience in the rapidly changing field of sustainability education.

In AY 2024-2025, AASHE will host a cohort of program directors who will work together to evaluate and update their sustainability programs using new program standards collaboratively developed by scores of stakeholders in the sustainability education community. This peer cohort will pilot program learning outcomes integrating the key competencies in sustainability framework, and the best practices that support them. Participants will complete their own program evaluation while working with other directors to further develop dynamic, context-sensitive guidance for the field. This work was developed by the pathways towards accreditation initiative and the Sustainability Education Community of Practice at the Global Council for Science and the Environment (GCSE). 

The Program Directors Cohort will be facilitated by Krista Hiser, convener of the Sustainability Education Accreditation Commission and will include additional guest facilitators and experts.