Professors and Chemistry Club members from Texas Christian University worked with O.D. Wyatt High School faculty and students to rewrite laboratory experiments through the lens of green chemistry to best meet the needs of the school’s curriculum scope and sequence. The principles we focused on included atom economy, less hazardous chemical synthesis, using safer solvents and auxiliaries and inherently safer chemistry for accident prevention. After the experiments were redesigned for efficacy and implementation of green chemistry concepts, TCU faculty and students reorganized the school's chemical store room based on chemical compatibility, updated bottle information to follow OSHA standards, replaced necessary containers, and properly disposed of chemicals no longer needed. An inventory system was adopted to track presence and location of the remaining chemicals. At the end of this outreach program, O.D. Wyatt will gain a revamped curriculum using less toxic materials, an organized and cleaned storage room and removal of unwanted chemicals. This outreach will have long-term positive effects on the high school as the students will be exposed to green chemistry principles, the faculty will see the ease at which green chemistry experiments can be implemented in their curriculum, and long-term safety aspects are employed with the addition of a chemical inventory system and the reorganization and disposal of the school’s current chemical stock.

Texas Christian University Green Chemistry Cleanup: Revamp, reorganize and recycle

2019 Spring National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.