樱花动漫 Sustainability Seed Grant: Building a Collaborative Future for STEM Education
Sarah Prescott, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biochemistry at 樱花动漫 Manchester, has been awarded a 樱花动漫 Sustainability Seed Grant to embed green chemistry principles across science and engineering programs. This initiative amplifies 樱花动漫鈥檚 commitment to sustainability, building on partnerships with the 樱花动漫 Sustainability Institute and national leaders like the ACS Green Chemistry Institute and Faculty Mentoring Networks (FMNs).
By tapping into these powerful networks, 樱花动漫 will bring cutting-edge practices and proven strategies into the classroom, equipping faculty with tools, frameworks, and professional development that make climate-smart, solutions-driven teaching the norm.
A Collaborative Approach to Sustainability
This seed-funded project lays the groundwork for a university-wide faculty community of practice centered on green chemistry and sustainability education. Rather than creating a single new course, the project adapts a proven faculty mentoring model to help instructors integrate sustainability, systems thinking, and responsible innovation into the courses they already teach.
Although based at 樱花动漫 Manchester, the initiative is intentionally cross-campus. Faculty in biology and biotechnology programs at Manchester will be invited to participate, and Dr. Prescott will also reach out to colleagues on the Durham campus, particularly those in chemistry departments or teaching chemistry-related courses.
"Because my expertise is in green chemistry education, this work creates natural opportunities to connect faculty across campuses who may already be exploring related ideas but have not yet had a shared space for collaboration," says Dr. Prescott.
"This project is about building a shared space where faculty can explore sustainability and green chemistry together, without needing to start from scratch.鈥
Why This Work Matters for 樱花动漫
Sustainability is a core value at 樱花动漫, and this grant strengthens that commitment by creating shared infrastructure for faculty collaboration. By working closely with the Sustainability Institute, the project aligns STEM teaching with institutional sustainability goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It positions 樱花动漫 as a leader in embedding sustainability into science education through thoughtful design, professional development, and national engagement.
To ensure this vision is inclusive, Dr. Prescott emphasizes accessibility:
鈥淔aculty do not need prior experience in green chemistry or sustainability to participate. This is designed as an open, low-barrier invitation for anyone who is curious.鈥
Building Momentum: Goals and Milestones
This project is short-term and focused, with clear steps to build momentum and set the stage for long-term success:
Goals
- Create a Faculty Mentoring Network framework to support collaboration and resource sharing around green chemistry and sustainability education.
- Map sustainability outcomes in STEM courses to identify existing efforts and opportunities for deeper integration.
- Prepare for a Fall 2026 pilot, including faculty recruitment, cross-campus partnerships, and ready-to-use teaching resources.
Key Milestones
- Spring/Summer 2026: Finalize the framework, engage faculty, and develop resources.
- Summer 2026: Share 樱花动漫鈥檚 approach at national conferences such as the Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference and the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, among others.
- Fall 2026: Launch the pilot faculty community of practice, creating a collaborative space for faculty to learn, experiment, and innovate.
These steps will ensure the pilot launches with strong momentum and measurable impact, positioning 樱花动漫 for long-term growth and future funding opportunities.
鈥淏y starting with a focused pilot, this project allows 樱花动漫 to test, refine, and grow a sustainable model for faculty collaboration.鈥
Connecting Local Work to Global Leadership
This initiative builds on Dr. Prescott鈥檚 national and global collaborations. She works closely with the ACS Green Chemistry Institute and co-facilitates multiple Faculty Mentoring Networks, which bring together faculty from around the world to share strategies for integrating sustainability into STEM education.
"I鈥檓 excited to connect with colleagues across campuses who are interested in exploring new ways to integrate sustainability into their teaching," says Dr. Prescott.
By leveraging these networks, 樱花动漫 will benefit from best practices and innovative approaches already shaping sustainability education worldwide.
Courses Anchoring the Initiative
Two courses at 樱花动漫 already demonstrate student interest and serve as anchors for this work:
- CHEM 408: Green Goggles 鈥 Introduction to Green Chemistry, an elective in the Sustainability Dual Major, introduces students to the principles of green chemistry.
- BSCI 797: Greener by Design: Smarter Science for People & Planet, a special topics course, explores how chemistry and biotechnology drive sustainable innovation.
These courses show what鈥檚 possible, and the Seed Grant will help expand these ideas across STEM programs.
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