Beyond Benign, a global green chemistry education nonprofit organisation, recently unveiled its Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC), a free online platform to help the global green chemistry community connect and learn together. In partnership with sponsors and partners, including the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute, the GCTLC was designed for K-12 educators, higher education faculty and the current and next generation of chemists. It will serve as a dynamic virtual space where green chemistry community members can develop connections, find mentors, share resources and enhance their knowledge through peer-led learning.
Green chemistry education equips chemists with a framework they need to create chemical products and procedures that reduce or eliminate the production of harmful compounds. The platform aims to promote the broader use of green chemistry principles in educational settings and, as a result, in various industrial sectors. As a community, it is driven by a desire to create transformative change in the education system by increasing the breadth and depth of the integration of green chemistry across all levels of teaching and learning.
The GCTLC platform features:
- A robust community space where users can connect with other community members based on profession, institution and other key factors.
- An extensive library of valuable educational resources and curriculum materials from community members worldwide.
- Forums and groups to delve deeper into specific green chemistry topics and seek advice from their peers.
- Continued learning opportunities, including courses and special events.
Commenting on the latest development, Co-founder and Executive Director of Beyond Benign, Dr Amy Cannon, said:
The green chemistry community is incredibly powerful when we unite to empower and inspire one another. The GCTLC catalyses our movement, allowing ideas and knowledge to flow freely in real time. We’re excited to join educators and leaders worldwide in this hub, where we’ll have the opportunity to accelerate our impact.
MilliporeSigma, Merck KGaA’s Life Science business in the United States and Canada, was pivotal in the GCTLC’s launch. As part of its expanded partnership with Beyond Benign, MilliporeSigma’s contribution helped enhance capacity for the GCTLC, aiming to expand global access to green chemistry resources and training for more than 4,000 faculty members worldwide. Its support of the GCTLC also helps advance Beyond Benign’s goal of providing 25% of the 22,000 graduating chemists annually in the U.S. with green chemistry knowledge by 2025.
Beyond Benign develops and disseminates green chemistry and sustainable science educational resources that empower educators, students and the community to practice sustainability through chemistry. The company works directly with educators and a network of strategic partners focused on science education, sustainability, innovation and initiatives supporting human and environmental health to provide an educational continuum from K-12 to higher education with a vital community engagement component.
