"Creating a better world requires teamwork, partnership, and collaboration-"
=E2=80" Simon Mainwaring
These words are ringing very true for us here at Beyond Benign. Teamwork, partnership and collaboration are central to how we carry out our educational programs designed to advance the 12 principles of green chemistry across K-12, higher education and industry. This fall I'm excited to share that our Green Chemistry Commitment program will receive the
Northeast Partners for Progress and Prosperity (P3) Award at the NERM meeting on October 7
th in Binghamton, NY. The award is given to teams to recognize the importance of partnering toward common goals to advance a global chemistry enterprise. We indeed hold these values dear and consider them as central to our mission of supporting educators, scientists and citizens with the tools required to teach and practice green chemistry. This tremendous honor also recognizes Beyond Benign's partners and collaborators within the greater chemistry community.
It is through collaboration with diverse groups that we are able to bring green chemistry to a broad audience. Partnerships are invaluable since they can bring out the best in us as we strive to learn best practices from each other and guide each other by example. Collaboration also allows people and organizations to leverage voices and ideas from both small and large organizations, accomplishing so much more than we would with only one voice, or one idea. We believe our programs are exemplary of partnering for progress and prosperity and we are truly honored to be receiving the award alongside a growing number of
innovative academic institutions that are leading change in chemistry education.
Through our partnerships in the Green Chemistry Commitment, we are able to highlight some unique approaches to green chemistry education. For example, the first international signer to the Green Chemistry Commitment is the University of Toronto, which is home to an amazing student-led group called the
Green Chemistry Initiative. It has been exciting to engage with these passionate students on and off campus. Many are pursuing careers in green chemistry education and sustainability, including at
My Green Lab, and the
Green Chemistry & Commerce Council. If you are looking for ways to engage your department, or ideas for student groups, then check out what they have done. This initiative demonstrates the tremendous power of students in creating change.
Teamwork, partnership, and collaboration can be found throughout our programs at Beyond Benign. Another great example is our new Green Chemistry Lead Teacher program which involves 9 dynamic, inspiring teachers from throughout North America who will help us to bring green chemistry to high schools regionally throughout the country and beyond. We anticipate this model for-teachers, by-teachers will help to expand our social impact by reaching teachers, students and communities nationwide, while also enriching all our K-12 programs with diverse perspectives and expertise. You will hear much more from this amazing group as we work with them throughout the year and launch our new website, which is currently in progress.
As always, we thank you for being part of our network and for partnering with us to bring green chemistry education to K-12 and higher education. Without your partnership and your willingness to share your work and experiences with us, our organization would not be what it is today.
The Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC) program, along with regional college and university partners are being recognized as the award winner for the ACS Northeast P3 Award (Partners for Progress and Prosperity Award)
In the back (left to right): Rich Gurney (Simmons College), Irv Levy (Gordon College), Ed Brush (Bridgewater State University) In the front (left to right): Marguerite White-Jeanneau (Northern Essex Community College), Patricia Richard (Middlesex Community College), and Amy Cannon (Beyond Benign)The purpose of the P3 Award is to recognize successful and exemplary partnerships between industry, academia, government, small business and/or other domestic or overseas entities (e.g., local sections, international ACS chapters, ACS divisions, chemical or other professional societies) that result in impactful outcomes in the following categories:
- Improving the public perception and appreciation for chemistry
- Promoting career advancement opportunities and/or supporting entrepreneurship in the=E2=80=A8 chemistry enterprise
- Advancing advocacy efforts with government and other thought leaders
- Supporting STEM education and/or research
The GCC program addresses two of the above categories: improving the public perception and appreciation for chemistry, and supporting STEM education and/or research. The partner organizations include an essential network of green chemistry educators in the Northeast region, including key partners: Dr. Ed Brush, Bridgewater State University, Professor Irv Levy, Gordon College, Dr. Wei Zhang, University of Massachusetts Boston, and Dr. Rich Gurney, Simmons College. These partners have been key in advancing green chemistry in the region and launching the GCC program.
More InfoThe Green Chemistry Education Webinar Series Presents:
Green Chemistry = Social Justice
October 18, 2016 2:00 - 3:00pm EDT, Register here!
Dr. Edward J. Brush, ebrush**At_Symbol_Here**bridgew.edu, Department of Chemical Sciences, Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA 02325, United States
Abstract: Green Chemistry is the science of making smart choices in how we design, make, use and dispose of chemicals and chemical products. However, chemists also need to be aware of the potential unintended consequences of hazardous chemicals that may disproportionally impact children and adults in low income, minority neighborhoods. This violates our definition of social and environmental justice where all people, regardless of race or economic status, have the right to live, work, play and learn in healthy, safe environments. The goal of this webinar is to better understand some of these disparities, and explore opportunities for transdisciplinary collaboration between the social sciences and green chemistry to better educate the public on the role of chemicals in their daily lives, and how the field of green chemistry might offer solutions to achieve social and environmental justice.
Missed a webinar?
Don't worry, we have you covered. We record and post all the webinars on the Green Chemistry Commitment website. Remember to sign up for our e-mail list to be notified about upcoming webinars. Just add your e-mail address on the bottom right of our home page.