Sustainable Science: Contextualizing Chemistry Through Safer Hands-On Labs

Sustainable Science: Contextualizing Chemistry Through Safer Hands-On Labs

Are you a science teacher looking to create a safer, more engaging learning environment for your students? Learn how to weave Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and sustainability content into your classrooms in this remote learning course for middle school and high school science teachers.

Discover innovative approaches to teaching and learning chemistry in a way that is both engaging and eco-friendly. Let's come together to make a positive impact through sustainable science!

If you’re a science teacher looking to create a safer, more engaging learning environment for your students, this is the course for you!

• Who: Middle and High School Science teachers
• What: 3-week online course with the option to receive 1 graduate/licensure credit from Adams State University

• When: June 7-June 28, 2027 (3 week/16 course hrs)
• Where: Online (Synchronous Zoom/Asynchronous Modules)
• Why: Empower your students, gain a graduate credit!
• Cost: $150 to enroll*

*Limited spots for Environmental Justice Communities, with discount code (contact info@beyondbenign.org to see if your school qualifies).

About this course

Beyond Benign Certified Lead Teacher Erin Mayer will teach this course through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of lab and classroom safety, a toolkit of resources and replacement ideas, and deeper knowledge of genuine student sensemaking in sustained science concepts.

🌱 This course is right for you if:

• You’re interested in engaging strategies for NGSS/NYSSLS-aligned chemistry, biology, physics, earth science labs
• You want to earn up to 16 CTLE credits (NYS) or 1 grad level relicensure credit (Adams State University)
• You want to foster a safe and engaging classroom environment
• You’re interested in how problem-solving with chemistry helps create solutions for sustainability challenges through –
• • Three-dimensional storylines
  • Creating comprehensive, relevant learning opportunities
  • Helping students make sense of their world, see themselves as forward- thinking problem-solvers in that world
  • Helping students develop scientific literacy and curiosity in your labs

🌱 By enrolling you’ll learn:

• How to explain the key elements of green chemistry.
• How to examine the effects of chemical products and processes on human health and the environment.
• How to develop safer alternatives to traditional K-12 investigations and activities that are aligned with NGSS/NYSSLS.
• How to apply chemical hazard awareness tools to reduce risk in the classroom and lab.
• How to implement green chemistry principles and practices in the classroom.
• How to modify and “green” labs, utilize risk analysis, and apply phenomenon-based, 3-dimensional practices and concepts

🌱 Course topics include:

• Connecting Green Chemistry to global sustainability
• How Green Chem education influences students to become part of the change
• Explaining the key Green Chem principles to others (admin, colleagues, etc)
• Examining the effects of chemical products and process on human health and the environment
• Reflecting on how Green Chemistry can drive NGSS/NYSSLS-aligned instructional practices
• Understanding criteria in the risk equation and general toxicology
• Applying chemical hazard awareness tools to reduce risk in lab and classroom
• Reviewing replacement labs developed to replace high-risk labs
• Learn to develop a NGSS/NYSSLS-aligned green chemistry lesson plan with support

See Syllabus Here (2026 sample syllabus; 2027 updates posted in Feb 2027)

Registration deadline is Monday, May 31, 2027.

This 3 week course (16 course hours) features synchronous and asynchronous learning, participants will walk away with a tool kit of open access resources and access to a network of other like-minded educators.

Synchronous Zoom Session Dates (TBD)

***1 grad-level relicensure credit available at an additional cost from Adams State University

***16 NYS CTLE credits available at no additional cost for NYS educators. Beyond Benign is an approved NYS CTLE sponsor