Green & Sustainable Chemistry Workshop draws high school teachers

In its fourth year, the Green & Sustainable Chemistry Workshop for high school students drew teachers from across the state to learn how to corporate green chemistry into their chemistry and science classrooms. Professor Jane Wissinger, Cassie Knutson (White Bear Lake High School) and Cassie Javner (Shakopee High School) decided to hold the workshop virtually rather than cancel. They designed kits that were sent to 14 participants to enable them to perform experiments in their homes. Zoom lectures teaching green chemistry principles, UN Sustainable Development Goals, biomimicry, plastics, and more provided background for the course and frequent use of breakout rooms afforded the opportunity for small-group experimentation and discussions.

Approximately half of the time was allotted for hands-on exploration of experiments focused on using safer, readily available chemicals with negligible hazardous waste as replacements for traditionally used experiments. Green polymer experiments, developed by the Wissinger labs, were featured including the synthesis of starch-based films and edible calcium alginate water capsules. Concepts such as equilibrium, rates of reactions, types of reactions, titration, and endo/exo processes were modeled using simple materials such as Butterfly Pea tea, starch/iodine, Alka Seltzer, Pixie sticks, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and polylactic acid (biodegradable/made from plants) cups. Teachers performed the experiments synchronously so they could discuss the procedures and compare their experimental results in real time. Post-lab discussions stimulated conversion of both the science and how incorporation into curriculum could meet science standards.  

Each teacher developed implementation plans for the coming school year with the goal of providing reflections next spring 2021; optionally for graduate credit. Teachers from small rural schools to larger Twin Cities schools enthusiastically shared their ideas for incorporation of the workshop content in a variety of classes including general sciences, environmental courses, food science, agricultural, and Advanced Placement chemistry. An advantage of this year’s remote learning workshop format was the ability to observe how many of the experiments could be performed by students at home – a likely scenario for many during the coronavirus pandemic. All participants earned University of Minnesota Continuing Education credits. 

Workshop leaders were grateful to Tanya Becker, Diana Mayweather, Patrick Schildt, Cristina Youngren, and Isaiah Ripley for help with ordering and assembling the kits and Victor Munsch and Phillip Ly for shipping. The workshop was financially sponsored by the NSF Center for Sustainable Polymers in partnership with the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and the University of Minnesota Materials Research Science and Engineering Research Experience for Teachers program. Through this support more than 70 Minnesota high school teachers have completed the Green & Sustainable Chemistry workshop over the last four years.