Queen’s University Belfast

Embedding green and sustainable chemistry and 21st century skills into the chemistry curriculum

Our team has created a module which focuses on current and future challenges in green and sustainable chemistry for the chemical industry and beyond. Our aim is to train responsible practitioners in green and sustainability chemistry.

The course covers where chemicals come from, where chemicals could come from in the future, green chemistry principles, along with challenges that come with providing the materials and healthcare necessary (within sustainable development goals), in a sustainable way. And gives students the information skills to reference and fact check carefully and the ability to make positive green and sustainable suggestions in future projects.

This module is enhanced with a series of weekly workshops where students work as a group to redesign a chemical synthesis in a green and sustainable way. These workshops and projects are designed to embed core 21st century skills alongside core green and sustainable chemistry competency.

Top 3 Learnings

1. Our students are enthusiastic to learn skills that they can use to make a difference going forward.
2. Our students appreciate learning key 21st century skills in a discipline specific way.
3. We encourage creative thinking and problem solving through a green and sustainable chemistry lens.