Cleaning Our World through Green Chemistry: Introducing High School Students to the Principles of Green Chemistry Using a Case-Based Learning Module
Joy Ballard, Suazette Reid Mooring
Abstract
The need for more sustainable practices is in high demand. Green chemistry discusses practices that would lead to less harmful chemical products ending up in the environment. Herein, we describe an outreach activity that introduces minority high school students to the topic of green chemistry. Three hands-on activities were done to illustrate a few of the 12 principles of green chemistry. The students picked suitable solvents, built ball-and-stick models of organic molecules, and made “green” paint during an interactive case-based green chemistry module. The students expressed their enjoyment of the activity and showed gains in green chemistry knowledge and attitude toward chemistry after participating in the module.