Integration of Laboratory Safety and Green Chemistry: Implementation in a Sophomore Seminar and an Advanced Organic Laboratory

Abstract

Laboratory safety is a vital part of a chemical education and can be incorporated into courses throughout the chemistry curriculum. Discussions of laboratory safety can serve as an introduction to the important field of green chemistry. Exposure to this field can better prepare students for safer and more sustainable laboratory practices in research laboratories, graduate school, or careers in chemical industry. Activities integrating laboratory safety and green chemistry have been implemented in two undergraduate chemistry courses: a sophomore seminar and an advanced organic chemistry laboratory. Methods for introduction and assessment of these topics in both courses are described.

Student-Generated Infographics for Learning Green Chemistry and Developing Professional Skills

“…Green chemistry has previously been integrated into organic chemistry education via inquiry-based laboratory experiments, − course-based undergraduate research experiments, − writing assignments, , lecture modules, student-generated presentations, , games, and outreach activities. , In fact, efforts to integrate green chemistry into the curriculum have been attempted at all levels: instructional, departmental, national, and global. At the instructional level, guidelines have been developed for integrating green chemistry into general and organic chemistry curriculums , and assessment .…”

“…This decision was founded on the premise that green chemistry is essential for the students' future careers, 1 helps facilitate systems thinking, 2−7 and introduces meaningful learning. 8,9 Green chemistry has previously been integrated into organic chemistry education via inquiry-based laboratory experiments, 10−19 course-based undergraduate research experiments, 20−22 writing assignments, 23,24 lecture modules, 25 student-generated presentations, 24,26 games, 27 and outreach activities. 28,29 In fact, efforts to integrate green chemistry into the curriculum have been attempted at all levels: instructional, departmental, national, and global.…”

Green Chemistry Teacher Professional Development in New York State High Schools: A Model for Advancing Green Chemistry

“…35 It has been shown in both industry and academic laboratories that green chemistry reduces risk by reducing inherent hazards presented by the materials at hand. [4][5][6]36,37 A common strategy in improving lab safety is to identify hazardous chemicals and replace them, when possible, with less harmful alternatives without altering the curriculum. 38,39 This allows educators to teach the same content with less risk to themselves and their students.…”

Gefahren virtuell begegnen

“…[19][20][21][22][23] Gerade für zukünftige Lehrer:innen ist sicheres Experimentieren kein Selbstzweck im Praktikum, sondern ein essenzielles Lehr-und Lernziel. 5,24,25) So gibt die Kultusministerkonferenz vor: "Die Studienabsolventinnen und -absolventen […] kennen wesentliche Arbeitsund Erkenntnismethoden der Chemie und können sicher experimentieren." 26) Über die eigenen Fähigkeiten und Fertigkeiten hinaus müssen Chemielehrer:innen nämlich auch die Gefährdung der Schüler:innen insgesamt ausschließen.…”

“…Unfälle in Laboren entstehen oftmals nicht, weil Informationen fehlen, sondern weil sie nicht berücksichtigt werden. Eine unzureichende information literacy 24,31) führt etwa dazu, dass selbst Studierende die Bedeutung der Gefahrstoff-Pik-togramme nicht in jedem Fall korrekt wiedergeben können. 29) Deshalb sollen die Lernenden in den folgenden Aufgaben die Bezeichnung der Piktogramme mit den jeweiligen Bildern verbinden.…”