Motivating and Supporting Undergraduate Research through Green Chemistry: Experiences at a Small Liberal Arts University

Abstract

Although most instructors and institutions agree on its value, undergraduate research remains an underutilized pedagogical tool because it requires ample time, funding, and equipment. Various institutions feel these pressures differently, but for many small institutions, lack of laboratory equipment and financial support can hinder undergraduate research projects. However, these institutions have much to gain from undergraduate research, especially as it offers benefits not only for students but also for faculty. For small institutions, although the principle applies to larger institutions as well, green chemistry offers a promising way forward: undergraduate research projects focusing on green chemistry have all the benefits of other undergraduate research projects but can be undertaken with minimal infrastructure and reduced cost. As an added benefit, they can help to reinforce the values of safety and sustainability for future chemists. This paper offers an example of a successful undergraduate research project in chemistry in a small liberal arts university and demonstrates how a project in green chemistry can make research-based learning feasible even in institutions with limited resources. Specifically, this project focuses on the development of a bioinspired, environmentally friendly wound-care product derived from chitosan and two naturally occurring aldehydes, citronellal and cinnamaldehyde. In this project, the student researcher prepared two chitosan Schiff bases using citronellal and cinnamaldehyde and then characterized and evaluated the antimicrobial properties of these products. Results suggest that both Schiff bases are highly bioactive and could indeed have value in wound-care. This project has scientific benefit, of course, but it also has pedagogical merits, showing how green chemistry can enable institutions to offer valuable undergraduate research opportunities with limited funding and infrastructure. This paper concludes with suggestions for related (and feasible) undergraduate research projects in green chemistry.

A Green and Efficient Cyclization of Citronellal into Isopulegol: A Guided-Inquiry Organic Chemistry Laboratory Experiment

“…Increasingly, instructors, departments, and universities are acknowledging the need for sustainable practices in chemistry, and it is becoming more common to incorporate green chemistry into laboratory education. − Green chemistry education has many benefits, including increased safety and the practical incorporation of environmentally sustainable practices into student activities. As it reduces both the hazards and the costs of laboratory exercises, it is ideal for any university, including small universities limited in funding and equipment …”

“…Ambrose has also developed a bioinspired and safer alternative to nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S N Ar) reactions, based on the real-world technique of tie-dyeing, which employs 9 of the 12 green chemistry principles . Most of these green chemistry experiments were developed through undergraduate research projects …”

“…Undergraduate research is an important aspect of student learning . Research-based learning has been promoted as the gold standard in undergraduate science education, , and multiple institutions have recommended that all students in undergraduate programs experience research and inquiry activities. − Undergraduate research increases engagement by stimulating curiosity and critical thinking, with a study by Seymour et al finding an overwhelmingly positive response to research-based learning .…”

“…As it reduces both the hazards and the costs of laboratory exercises, it is ideal for any university, including small universities limited in funding and equipment. 5 As a member of Beyond Benign, Ambrose University is committed to green chemistry education and practices to equip the upcoming generation with essential concepts and practical skills to apply in our increasingly sustainable world. Specifically, Ambrose aims to incorporate Anastas and Warner's 12 green chemistry principles into laboratory experiments and undergraduate research.…”

Effects of a CURE Laboratory Module on General Chemistry Students’ Perceptions of Scientific Research, Green Chemistry, and Self-Efficacy

“…Green chemistry provides the perfect platform to communicate the importance of science in providing solutions for many of society’s challenges because green chemistry inherently minimizes the impacts of science on the environment. In addition, green chemistry can also reduce the operational costs of undergraduate chemistry laboratories, which is particularly beneficial to primarily undergraduate institutions . Green chemistry methods can reduce reaction time, which is beneficial to allow some experiments to be implemented in teaching laboratories (2.5–3 h/lab).…”