Further issues in Green
Chemistry/Environmental Chemistry
Yuxin Xia
Demystify public misconceptions about chemistry1
https://www.menti.com/yw255rd574
Go to www.menti.com and use
use the code 4891 4756
A quick survey!!!
• GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are
considered by the public as “bad;” 56
percent of Canadians do not want GMOs in
their food.
 “Natural and local” are good.
 “Synthetic and global” are bad.
 “Fossil fuel-based chemicals” will destroy
the planet.
 “Bio-based materials” will save the world.
https://www.beyondbenign.org/news-why-chemists-invent-green/
Truth:
- Eighty percent of the corn production in the United
States is based on GMO seeds. It is exceedingly
difficult and expensive to source food products in
the developed world without GMO ingredients.
- Over the past 50 years, during a period of
enormous growth in chemistry, life expectancy in
Canada increased from 70 years to more than 80
years, helped by chemical advances, which is
something to be celebrated.
Business drivers
Life cycle implications
Materials chemistry
Social welfare
Economic
$
Twelve principles
1. Waste Prevention
2. Atom Economy $
3. Safe Raw Materials
4. Safe Product
5. Safe Solvents
6. Energy Efficiency $
7. Renewables
8. Process Complexity
9. Catalysis
10.Biodegradability
11.Process Control $
12.Safe Process
Q: Is Green Chemistry only for
high school?
- No. Green chemistry concepts are
understood and applicable at K-12
levels. Curriculum resources are
available for elementary, middle and
high school audiences.
https://www.beyondbenign.org/k12/
The K-12 curriculum and teacher programs
are designed by teachers, for teachers.
Integrating green chemistry and sustainable
science principles into the classroom, which
creates a safer and more engaging learning
environment for students and teachers.
Case study Activity:
Google Jamboard Link:
Current Nigerian Secondary Senior(SS) Chemistry Curriculum
https://jamboard.google.com/d/1qZ5K5ro
bx87zs7HJs1wwlLjYtbrzwbhe1Pik7tQLSK4/
edit?usp=sharing
Brainstorm Activity:
Design your own featured Green Chem Lesson
Select from the following high school curriculum topics, come up and
propose a valid featured lesson that contains instruction or
integration of green chemistry concepts. It can be a lab, a group
activity or anything that engage your students…
The SS chemistry syllabus was further
broken down to performance
objectives, contents, teachers and
learners' activities, materials and
evaluation. Here are 3 samples of the
integration made in the performance
objectives area for 3 different themes,
select the one that interests you the
most, and in a group identify and
circle the evident objectives that
green chem is incorporated into the
curriculum.
What is Green Chemistry?
As an introduction, students view a Power Point presentation that
introduces the 12 principles of Green Chemistry. They then participate in a
simulation to further illustrate the principles.
Lesson One: Writing the Principles (2X60min)
Students first follow a "poorly written" procedure to synthesize an
adhesive after which they re-write the instructions with special
consideration given to minimizing the impact on the environment
and maximizing the conservation of energy and materials. As a
wrap-up students analyze their re-written procedure in light of the
Green Chemistry principles.
Lesson Two: The Footprint of a Chemistry Teacher (2X60min)
This lesson is designed to encourage science teachers and students to think the same way about classroom
procedures as they would in terms of sustainable practices in their personal lives. After a quick paper and pencil
activity to identify everyday conservation practices, students are asked to:
- group 12 elements from the Periodic Table according to toxicity and environmental impacts
- calculate the chemical footprint of a decomposition reaction involving sucrose and sulfuric acid
- review a case study on the chemical disaster in Bhopal, India
- perform a more sustainable process than what was used in the original decomposition
What is Green Chemistry?
As an introduction, students view a Power Point presentation that
introduces the 12 principles of Green Chemistry. They then participate in a
simulation to further illustrate the principles.
Lesson Three: Environmental Impact Factor (1 X 60min)
Students calculate the E-factor (mass of waste-mass of products) for
a bag of potato chips and for the green candies in a bag of
M&Ms. They brainstorm ways to decrease the E-factor.
Lesson Four: Life cycle and Sustainability Analysis (2 X60min)
Students use an on-line ecological footprint tool, perform a life cycle
analysis on a common product and apply a sustainability triangle to
evaluate the sustainability of a product.
Our Responsibility....
• The Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC) recognizes this
responsibility and has implemented the policy to allow
free access to the Canadian Chemical News (ACCN) by high
school science teachers. All CIC members should help
promote this progressive access in their respective
communities, including all parent teacher associations.
Our future health and prosperity and those of our children
and grandchildren can only be secured through the
knowledgeable application of green chemistry. 1