2010 ACS-CEI Award Recipients

Awardee talks presented at the 2010 Fall National Meeting in Boston, MA.

Michael C. Cann

Chemistry Department, University of Scranton

Infusing sustainability/green chemistry across the undergraduate and graduate curricula, and beyond

Over the past 14 years, I have infused green chemistry and the broader issues of sustainability into the courses that I teach, and I have developed materials and programs to assist others in doing the same. I will highlight some of my endeavors including web-based green chemistry teaching modules, books dealing with real-world cases of green chemistry, the blending of green chemistry into mainstream topics of mainstream chemistry textbooks, and a book series focusing on technologies that reduce our environmental footprint. I will also discuss how chemists can move outside the “chemistry box” and contribute to the blending of sustainability into the broader curriculum, and a master’s degree program that blends technology and business courses that are all taught through the lens of sustainability.

Susan Sutheimer, PhD

Chemistry Program Director, Green Mountain College

Sustainability as the Organizing Theme for a Chemistry Laboratory Program

In order to answer the question, “How can chemistry labs produce a meaningful experience for science as well as non-science majors at our environmentally focused liberal arts college?” the chemistry department at Green Mountain College developed a program that provides students with laboratories related to real world environmental issues, then nurtures their capacity to help build a sustainable society through chemistry. Thanks to grants from the NSF and PittCon, over 465 students have benefitted from a full suite of labs where they learn an important chemical principle while building a sustainability knowledge base. By making sustainability the organizing theme for our chemistry program we have not only created a meaningful learning environment but championed the cause of sustainability for a new generation.

Kenneth M. Doxsee

Department of Chemistry, University of Oregon

Expanding Access to Experimental Science through Green Chemistry

By virtue of its focus on the reduction of intrinsic chemical risk rather than solely on minimization of exposure, Green Chemistry allows for laboratory investigations in settings that would be inappropriate for “conventional” chemical experimentation. Through facilitation of the (re)introduction of experimental chemistry at the full range of educational institutions, a Green curriculum promises enhancement of both the numbers and the diversity of students gaining knowledge of the practice of modern chemistry.

Jorge G. Ibanez

Depto. de Ing. y Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Iberoamericana

Facilitating Simpler, Safer & Sustainable (3 S) Experimental Chemistry Education

We are a group of 12 teachers of Chemistry concerned with the lack of access to meaningful experimentation that many schools have due to a major deficiency in teacher training and shortage of materials. In order to contribute to alleviate this problem, in 1990 we started to work in Microscale Chemistry and founded the Mexican Green and Microscale Chemistry Center. Since then, we have endeavored to promote Chemistry teaching and environmental care through the use of small scale and green chemistry experimental techniques and principles. Thousands of teachers and students from over 1000 schools in 45 countries and in 25 Mexican states have participated in our nearly 400 workshops, conferences, symposia, academic exchanges, projects, and publications. We believe that our work has contributed to save our planet from the extraction of precious resources and from receiving tons of residues. This has helped to create a culture of environmental respect.