Editorial pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Chemistry Education and Green Chemistry on the Third Coast Thomas C. Pentecost* and Sherril Soman Department of Chemistry, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan 49401, United States ABSTRACT: The themes of sustainability and chemistry education are coming together on the Third Coast at the 23rd Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE). The BCCE will be held at Grand Valley State University, August 3−7, 2014. The conference will provide an opportunity for chemistry educators and others with an interest in chemistry education to meet and interact in workshops, symposia, poster sessions, and a host of social events. The program includes content of interest to teachers of all levels of chemistry. Numerous social and recreational events are scheduled that take advantage of the proximity to southwestern Michigan beaches and the vibrant downtown of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
KEYWORDS: General Public, High School/Introductory Chemistry, First-Year Undergraduate/General, Second-Year Undergraduate, Upper-Division Undergraduate, Graduate Education/Research, Curriculum
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involving undergraduates such as chemistry professor Matt Hart’s research project that converts used PLA cups into the whiteboard cleaner that is used on campus, and a certificate program in green chemistry. Additionally, GVSU has been awarded the Michigan Green Chemistry Governor’s Award in Education for implementing green chemistry into the university curriculum. BCCE 2014 organizers have endeavored to infuse the university’s sustainable mission in our approach to hosting the conference; conference materials are either delivered electronically or printed with sustainable inks on recycled paper, and marketing items were chosen with their sustainability or recycled content in mind. Conference guests can also see our green mission in action by participating in the workshop or tour on our Great Lakes research vessels, as well as visiting our retention ponds, which were created to manage stormwater drainage and have become an improved wetland habitat for native species. As we extend our pledge to our own students, we broaden it to our BCCE guests and encourage them to practice it in their own teaching. In support of this theme, the conference will host a variety of workshops and symposia that highlight efforts in bringing sustainable chemistry to the classroom. John Warner, president of Beyond Benign Foundation and one of the founders of the field of green chemistry, will give the opening plenary address. Other plenary speakers will address topics of interest to chemistry educators at all levels. The other plenary speakers are
hich coast comes to mind when one thinks of beaches, scenic beauty, vineyards, and an emphasis on sustainability? Perhaps the West Coast was evoked, yet all of these are found on the Third Coast of the United States, western Michigan, home of sandy beaches, a thriving wine industry, and Grand Rapids (voted Beer City USA for 2013). While all of these things are enjoyable on their own, this summer the Third Coast will also be home to the 23rd Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE) at Grand Valley State University. The BCCE has become the largest professional gathering for chemistry educators from all over the world and is an excellent opportunity to interact with others interested in chemistry education. The slogan for the 23rd BCCE is Empowering Chemical Educators for a Greener Tomorrow. Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is committed to sustainability and a green agenda that pervades our policies, decisions, and actions. The theme for the 2014 BCCE, Greener on the Grand, is inspired by Grand Valley State University’s location on the Grand River both in Allendale and Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the university’s commitment to sustainability and green practices. GVSU efforts in sustainability have led to recognition in the Princeton Review’s Guide to 322 Green Colleges.1 The campus, home to over 24,000 students, has more than a dozen LEED-certified projects, roof and rain gardens, a seven-acre arboretum central to campus, active recycling and composting programs, a community garden, and a farmers market. Grand Valley State University is one of 45 in the country to receive gold status after completing a sustainability program developed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. The chemistry department includes a complement of six chemistry education faculty members and supports the university’s sustainable efforts through the curriculum by offering green chemistry courses, research © 2014 American Chemical Society and Division of Chemical Education, Inc.
• Lennie Scott-Weber, Director of Education Environments for Steelcase Education Solutions Published: May 13, 2014 615
dx.doi.org/10.1021/ed5002762 | J. Chem. Educ. 2014, 91, 615−616
Journal of Chemical Education
Editorial
• Charlie Bamforth, Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Malting and Brewing Sciences and Distinguished Professor at University of California, Davis • Holly Walter Kirby, Founder of Fusion Science Theater and instructor of chemistry and playwriting at Madison Area Technical College In addition, there are 102 workshops and over 1000 papers that cover the entire spectrum of chemistry education. Participants are sure to find something of interest. All events for the BCCE are being held at Grand Valley State University. The Allendale campus is located 20 miles east of the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan and 10 miles west of downtown Grand Rapids. A free shuttle bus runs between campus and Grand Rapids for the conference. All meeting, dining, and housing locations are within a 10 minute walk of each other. The on-campus housing facilities are modern airconditioned two- or four-bedroom apartments, each person with his or her own bedroom. More details about housing and dining options can be found on the conference Web site.2 The Third Coast location of the BCCE allows for a wealth of outdoor social and recreational activities. Summer days are mild and afternoons are long in western Michigan and this will allow BCCE attendees to enjoy the Michigan outdoors all day and late into the evening. Planned events include the 5K Fun Run along scenic trails on campus, a Picnic by the Pond, and an Ice Cream Social. Attendees will be encouraged to take the shuttle buses into Grand Rapids for “dinner on your own” Tuesday, to sample some of the finest culinary options as well as several award-winning brew pubs downtown. The final evening will feature Al D. Hyde and the Key Tones, a BCCE tradition, and tasty hors d’oeuvres highlighting Michigan specialties with a cash bar offering beer from local microbreweries. Additional planned events include the following tours: a cruise on the Annis Water Research Institute research vessel the D. J. Angus, a dune ride, a tour of a Frank Lloyd Wright house or a tour of the Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, an afternoon at the beach, and a wine tour. In addition, conference attendees can choose to participate in a golf scramble or brewer’s tour. Conference registration is open and details about the technical program, social events, registration, housing, and travel can be found on the conference Web site.2 The conference organizers have put together an outstanding conference in an amazing place. You are all welcome to come explore the Third Coast and see why it is truly Greener on the Grand!
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(2) 2014 Biennial Conference on Chemical Education. http://www. bcce2014.org/ (accessed Apr 2014).
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Corresponding Author
*E-mail:
[email protected]. Notes
Views expressed in this editorial are those of the author and not necessarily the views of the ACS. Thomas C. Pentecost is the BCCE 2014 Publicity Chair, and teaches in the Department of Chemistry, Grand Valley State University. Sherril Soman is the BCCE 2014 General Chair, and teaches in the Department of Chemistry, Grand Valley State University.
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REFERENCES
(1) The Princeton Review’s Guide to 322 Green Colleges. http:// www.princetonreview.com/green-guide.aspx (accessed Apr 2014). 616
dx.doi.org/10.1021/ed5002762 | J. Chem. Educ. 2014, 91, 615−616
