High School (Secondary School) Teachers

Join us on July 15th, 2026, in Troy, New York, for the 2nd Annual Bridging the Gap: Green Chemistry Innovation & Education Workshop. This free, full-day event brings together industry professionals, K-12 educators, and higher ed faculty and staff to explore practical applications of green chemistry. Hosted by the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute, Beyond Benign, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), this workshop sparks collaboration and practical strategies for advancing green chemistry at every level.

Attendees can earn up to 8 CTLE credit hours for participating. Beyond Benign is a CTLE-approved sponsor as of March 2026. Explore the full agenda and reserve your spot! 

As you may already know, Beyond Benign offers a valuable resource in partnership with Impossible Foods called Plate to Planet, which explores the intersection of chemistry, sustainability, and the future of food. If you’ve engaged with it—or are interested in applying green chemistry principles in new contexts—this is a great opportunity to go deeper.

The Good Food Institute is launching its first-ever Train-the-Trainer program, designed for high school STEM educators interested in the science and sustainability of next-generation food systems.

Participants will:
🧠 Earn 2.0 graduate credits (at no cost) along with professional development recognition
🔬 Explore the science behind plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated proteins—including products like Impossible Meat
🤝 Connect with experts from both industry and academia
📚 Create hands-on STEM lesson plans and classroom-ready activities

This free, online program runs from July 6–31, 2026, and combines live weekly sessions with flexible, self-paced content. By the end, you’ll walk away with ready-to-use resources and a stronger understanding of food system innovation.

Learn more and apply here: https://gfi.org/resource/train-the-trainer-high-school-educator-program/ Applications close June 1st. 

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me, Janie Butler, at [email protected].

If you’re looking to integrate green chemistry principles and practices into your teaching through real-world sustainable inventions, 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.

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 engagement.
 

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.

New York teachers: Apply for the Beyond Benign Green Chemistry Fellowship to implement green chemistry lessons in your classroom and lab with support from expert teacher Annette Sebuyira! This opportunity is for lab-based science teachers who have taken the Introduction to Green Chemistry for High School Teachers course and wish to take (or have previously taken) the Advanced Green Chemistry course this year. Apply by June 1st and earn 16 additional CTLE credit hours if you’re accepted. 

If you’re looking to integrate green chemistry principles and practices into your teaching through real-world sustainable inventions, this is the course for you!

ABOUT THIS COURSE

• High school chemistry teachers and middle/high school physical science teachers: Join us for a course that will support Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) integration in your classes!
• In this course, Beyond Benign Certified Lead Teacher Cassidy Javner will help prepare you to integrate green chemistry principles and practices into your teaching through real-world sustainable inventions. You’ll also learn how to develop safer labs and lessons aligned to your local standards in an interactive online environment.
• This course features forum discussions, lesson plan development, and 3 synchronous Zoom classes. Discussions will focus on how to prepare for effective remote learning in this time of an ever-changing educational landscape.

THIS COURSE IS RIGHT FOR YOU IF:

•  You want to create a safer, more engaging learning environment

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

BY ENROLLING YOU’LL LEARN:

•  How to integrate green chemistry practices and principles into your teaching

•  How to infuse NGSS learning into your classrooms by developing safer labs and lessons

COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE:

•  Developing safer labs and lessons

•  Preparing for effective student-driven learning

•  Integrating green chemistry into your teaching

WANT MENTORSHIP SUPPORT? 

New York teachers have an opportunity to pair the Advanced Green Chemistry course with a new Fellowship opportunity for teachers interested in receiving mentorship support while integrating Green Chemistry into their curriculum.

New York Teachers: Beyond Benign is now an approved CTLE Sponsor! You can earn up to 48 CTLE credit hours, and more if you participate in the Beyond Benign Green Chemistry Fellowship. Thanks to the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute, these courses are free for New York teachers. For more details, contact us at [email protected].

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.

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

New York Teachers: Beyond Benign is now an approved CTLE Sponsor! You can earn up to 48 CTLE credit hours, and more if you participate in the Beyond Benign Green Chemistry Fellowship. Thanks to the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute, these courses are free for New York teachers. For more details, contact us at [email protected].

It’s Easy Being Green: Budget-Friendly Safety-Conscious Chemistry Labs for the Secondary Science Classroom of Today

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 the 2nd annual half-day professional development workshop* this spring.

Explore the effects of density, solubility and intermolecular forces on mixtures, and learn how to apply separation techniques to isolate mixture components in Exploring the Effect of Density and Solubility on Mixtures and Separation Techniques.

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 28, 2026.
• Light breakfast snacks will be available.
• Registration ends Monday, March 16, 2026.
• Register under Upcoming Events at https://sites.google.com/view/its-easy-being-green-pd/home

Integrating case studies into the curriculum effectively provides context for chemical concepts and showcases real-world applications of green chemistry. If you are an educator in a higher ed setting, join a FREE virtual workshop on February 25th to learn how to develop case studies using a new template and instructional guide co-developed by Beyond Benign and the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute. 

Participants will gain hands-on experience with the case study framework and learn strategies for developing case studies that highlight how chemistry drives sustainable innovation. Facilitators Dr. Jennifer Tripp (University of San Francisco) and Dr. Tom Umile (Villanova University) will guide participants through these resources, offer practical strategies for adaptation and implementation, and create opportunities for educators to share insights. 

🧪Don’t miss this chance to expand your teaching toolkit and inspire future green chemists. Reserve your spot today!

Are you interested in incorporating green chemistry and sustainability into your classroom or lab? Do you want to excite your students about science but need some inspiration? With over 400 resources available, including open-access materials and linked journal articles, there’s something for everyone on the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC).

Join Dr. Sarah Kennedy, Chief Editor of the GCTLC, on January 14th from 6-7 p.m. EST for a free info session to learn how to easily search and find relevant content on the GCTLC platform. This interactive session will cover how to search using common filters and topics, such as grade level, NGSS standards, activity type, keywords, and more. 

This session is free to join and open to all community members. Join us to deepen your engagement in this community and discover exciting new resources you can use in your classroom or lab! 

🔗 Zoom details: 

• No registration needed—just use this Zoom link to join us on January 14th from 6 to 7 p.m. EST. 
• Meeting ID: 875 1688 0432
• Passcode: 342758

Calling New York-based teachers in grades 6-12! Join us for our New York Green Chemistry Professional Learning Team, where your professional growth aligns with New York State learning standards for pedagogy and student performance. This collaborative initiative is designed to enhance your instructional skills through demonstrations, peer reviews, and a strong emphasis on lab safety. By exploring green chemistry principles and integrating them into your current labs, you will not only expand your knowledge but also help create a safer and more sustainable learning environment for your students.

Our monthly virtual meetings foster a supportive community of practice where educators can share their experiences and learn from one another. You will have the opportunity to analyze student work and refine your teaching strategies while building a collective repository of greener laboratory practices. Together, we will improve pedagogical skills and confidence, promote educational leadership, and enhance student achievement through real-world problem-solving experiences. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to collaborate and grow alongside fellow science educators!

💬 Led by Beyond Benign Certified Lead Teacher Scott Carlson

🗓️ Third Thursday of each month from February to June 2026

⏰ 7-8:30 p.m. ET

📍 Online - Zoom link upon registration 

Are you a teacher based in New York? Attend the 130th STANYS ​Annual Conference from November 7th to 10th in Syracuse! This year’s theme, “Sensemaking – The Power of Making Connections,” emphasizes the crucial role of interdisciplinary connections in scientific discovery and problem-solving, mirroring the interconnected nature of the world around us. 

👋 If you attend, be sure to connect with Beyond Benign Certified Lead Teachers Stefanie Loomis and Scott Carlson and Community Engagement Manager Michelle Ernst Modera! These green chemistry leaders will be tabling and sharing K-8 activities you won’t want to miss.