Green Chemistry Teaching Certificate Course

The Green Chemistry teaching certificate course is a multi-session course that offers an in-depth exploration on the integration of the green chemistry principles into lecture and laboratory activities, including their connections to society. Green chemistry is an essential framework for sustainable decision-making, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, to foster a sustainable future.

The course also highlights opportunities for funding, community engagement, and professional networking within the green chemistry education community.

This course is ideal for chemistry educators and curriculum developers who want to integrate green chemistry principles into their teaching while promoting sustainability and environmental justice.

Whether you are a veteran or new to teaching green chemistry, this course offers something new to learn and valuable insights for everyone!

The 4 sessions in this course can be taken individually or together to earn a certificate. 

What is the Green Chemistry Teaching Certificate?

• This multi-session course offers an exploration for higher education chemical educators—anyone teaching chemistry or chemistry-related subjects—on how to integrate green chemistry into their courses and curricula. Green chemistry is an essential framework for sustainable decision-making, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, to foster a sustainable future. By prioritizing informed choices in the design of chemical products and processes, green chemistry promotes consideration of human, environmental, and societal impacts.
• Throughout this course, you’ll engage with green chemistry principles through activities, including asynchronous discussions with other class participants in the Green Chemistry Teaching & Learning Community (GCTLC)platform (www.gctlc.org). You’ll develop lecture and laboratory activities and explore the intersections between green chemistry and broader societal issues, including social and environmental justice and climate awareness. The course will also highlight valuable resources, such as funding opportunities and professional networking within the green chemistry education community.
• Upon completing this course, you will be well-positioned to introduce green chemistry concepts in your classroom and laboratory, helping students contribute to a safer and more sustainable future.

What is included in the online course?

• Videos
• Text and visuals
• Quizzes and Assignments
• Supplementary course materials
• Group interaction with other course participants on the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC)

Who can benefit from this course?

This course is primarily designed for any higher education chemistry educator who is committed to advancing green chemistry and sustainability education in their teaching. Specifically, those yet to fully adopt green chemistry into their curriculum, educators seeking to integrate green chemistry into their lectures and labs and Instructors aiming to engage students in sustainable chemistry education. 

While non-chemistry educators can take this course, it is primarily designed for those teaching or conducting research in chemistry, with content tailored to this audience. K-12 educators may benefit from the course as well, as content can be scaffolded to suit their teaching needs and goals.

How can institutions benefit from this course?

• Strengthening chemistry education programs through the integration of green chemistry principles.
• Enriching chemistry curriculum, aligned with industry and educational standards from scientific societies.
• Deep student engagement, making chemistry more relevant and impactful for today’s sustainability-conscious learners.
• Enhancing academic reputation and commitment to preparing students for the future of chemistry education and research.
• Educators will be equipped with the skills to integrate sustainability principles into their teaching, fostering innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration while advancing their reputation as leaders in green chemistry education.

Course Expectations