Introduction
Green Chemistry is defined as the invention, design, and application of chemical products and processes to reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances; in laymen's terms, Green Chemistry is about inventing, designing, and creating products and systems that will be sustainable into the future. Green Chemistry's goal is to make sure that every atom that you put into a reaction ends up in your product.
Green Chemistry takes an amazing view on the world of science. The concept of Green Chemistry and sustainability is so simple, it is brilliant. I must admit that when I first heard of this seminar, I was under the impression that Green Chemistry dealt with 'recycling and cleaning up the messes left by earlier generations', a thought that excited me as much as watching paint dry. As I grew to understand that Green Chemistry focused on the development of a sustainable future, I became excited. I realized that I could have an impact on the future world, based on MY actions. As I made this connection, I realized that this could be THE connection that my students could make as well. Creating an awareness of Green Chemistry and sustainability has endless possibilities. Paul Anastas' anecdote 1 of 'the consumer products company and the supplier' brings to light the power of this new way of thinking.
A consumer products company, after grasping the 12 principles of Green Chemistry, began looking at the contents of their cleaning products. They noticed a chemical that they wanted changed in one particular product. They went to their supplier and explained that the chemical needed to be removed; the supplier had one year to make the change in order for them to purchase from the supplier again. The supplier responded "we can have the chemical out next week, why didn't you ask?"
This anecdote exemplifies the change that can occur when we as a society are aware of Green Chemistry and what it means; my goal is to teach this awareness while combining applicable Chemistry methodologies that my students can use to learn the fundamentals.
As a Chemistry teacher, I have observed certain commonalities amongst my students. Students want to know: 1.) why they have to learn Chemistry, 2.) how does Chemistry apply to their world now, and 3.) how will Chemistry help them in the future. My answer usually is that Chemistry is the 'connecting science', a gateway that can open their eyes to what exists around them now, and to what possibilities can await them. As I explain this, I see the blank look on some faces, the look of excitement on a few, and for the majority, the look of "here we go again - a teacher that thinks we've got to love this subject because they do". I look forward to using this unit of Green Chemistry as THE connector to help catalyze students into becoming the future stewards of our world.
This Unit is designed for High School Chemistry students, which usually includes 10 th through 12 th graders. The Unit has been designed to be taught after the first three weeks of school; it should last 4 weeks and, because of the activities, would ideally be done during a block schedule.
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