In the twelve months since the Green Chemistry Initiative (GCI) at Seton Hall University was established during the summer of 2018, many significant milestones have been passed, but we have a long way to go. In order to contribute to the “green wave” currently inundating all levels of instruction within the STEM fields and contribute to the broader conversation about the importance of this paradigmatic shift, we will share details of some of the significant challenges we have faced thus far. In addition to modifying or substituting experimental procedures (e.g., running reactions in aqueous conditions whenever possible), we are asking students to think about how “green chemistry” extends beyond the chemicals that go into a reaction flask. By incorporating pre-lab and post-lab exercises that focus on what it means to be green, we intend to assess student progress toward a broad, in-depth understanding of these concepts. We will share some of our preliminary findings and elaborate on some of the most recent curricular enhancements to our organic chemistry lab courses for non-majors.

Teaching students to think about what it means to be “green”

2019 Fall National Meeting

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