The education of a scientist begins in K-12, where our perceptions of what it means to be a scientist and our view of the scientific world begins to take shape. It is at this level that Beyond Benign begins its programming, focusing on both changing how science is taught, and how students perceive the world of science and sustainability. The introduction of green chemistry and sustainability at this early level provides teachers with techniques for peaking interest in science and math by relating it to the natural world. Students are able to see the application of science towards solving global environmental problems.
The Education of a Scientist continues in higher education, where skills and knowledge are built in order to shape the scientists of tomorrow. A significant gaps remains in higher education in the arming of students and educators with the tools required to create sustainable materials and products. As a society, our educational institutions currently produce chemists and materials scientists that are lacking any fundamental knowledge in toxicology, hazards and mechanisms of environmental harm. Beyond Benign seeks to bridge this gap by training college students to be ambassadors and mentors of green chemistry, while also training current educators on greener chemistry tools and techniques that can be used in the laboratories and classrooms.
Without these essential tools, our society will continue to create hazardous products and wasteful processes.