SUNY Potsdam

Green Chemistry is the design of products and processes that eliminates the use
or generation of hazardous chemicals. In the high school classroom, green chemistry can
be used as a tool to remove hazards and make the classroom a safer place for students
and teachers, while at the same time providing context for a subject that is typically very
abstract. By providing relevance to chemistry concepts, students can understand how
chemistry plays an integral role in their daily lives and in society and that chemistry will be
essential in solving many of the environmental problems we face today.

Beyond Benign is a non-profit organization dedicated to Green Chemistry education in K-
12 and higher education. The K-12 programs include curriculum development, teacher
training programs, and on-line courses for teachers. The curriculum work includes a
series of Green Chemistry lesson plans for middle school and high school teachers that are
available free-of-charge through the Beyond Benign website (www.beyondbenign.org).
This presentation will feature the curriculum from Beyond Benign available for K-12
teachers, providing some examples of Green Chemistry in practice in the classroom.