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Green Chemistry Experiments

Green chemistry in the academic setting is the practice of using chemicals with less hazardous characteristics, thereby generating less hazardous waste. The benefits are a safer lab setting for students, less dangerous storage areas, and lower volumes of waste requiring special disposal. Green chemistry lab exercises often use materials found on grocery store shelves that can be flushed down the sink drain. In cases where acids or bases are left at the end of a lab exercise, directions are given to neutralize or dilute them and flush with running water.

Each set of three labs are part of a complete Green Chemistry Manual (Teacher's Manual and Student's Manual) developed and tested by Kimberly Lindsey, Kacey Fowler and Ruth Hall, undergraduate students at Union University's Department of Chemistry in Jackson, Tennessee. The students worked under the guidance of Dr. Sally Henrie. Professor Carol Leslie and Dr. Marlyn Newhouse also contributed to the project. The manual is intended to be used at the high school level. The lab exercises meet all chemistry standards required by the Tennessee Department of Education.

For more information about SC3 contact Ken Nafe, Linda Jordan, or Cynthia Rohrbach.