This project is a collaboration with North Central Educational Service District 171 and Washington State Department of Ecology. It is supported by funds from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Project Overview

The Careers in Green Chemistry and Sustainable Design video series highlight professionals in Washington whose careers impact products or chemicals used in Washington. Each of these videos highlight a career that connects to green chemistry and sustainable design. In each video, the professionals share their reflections in response to a series of interview questions. The videos are five to ten minutes long. They are designed to be used with secondary students.

Using the Resources

Below you will find each video, along with discussion questions and quick links to other resources. Each video is available in English and Spanish. We’ve also created an Activity Guide that includes additional resources.

Discussion and Reflection Prompts

Consider asking students to reflect on and/or discuss these questions: 

• What new learning do you have after hearing from the scientists?
• What are you wondering about or want to know more about after watching the videos? 
• What strengths and knowledge do you have? How could you use these strengths and knowledge throughout your career journey? 
• What advice from these scientists resonated most for you? Why? 
• What new ideas do you have about your own career possibilities after watching these videos? 

For some of these prompts, you may want to facilitate a class discussion and record students’ ideas prior to watching the videos. Then, after viewing one or more videos, you can invite students to share their newly emerging or updated insights. Students can document their thinking about these prompts in a variety of ways.  You can consider posting students’ reflections on a gallery wall and inviting them to notice similarities, differences, and themes. 

Except where otherwise noted, this work by Saskia van Bergen (Washington Department of Ecology) and Carissa Haug (NCESD) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. View license at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this activity guide, we offer some ideas for how you may use these videos with your students. These suggestions are just a starting point, and you should feel free to utilize the resources in ways that feel most relevant, useful, and generative for your students.

The activity guide includes the following contents:

• Discussion and Reflection Prompts
• Graphic Organizer
• Career Research Activity
• Additional Resources

Meet Amanda Close, Education and Outreach Manager at Waste Loop, a non-profit organization based in Leavenworth, WA. Learn how Amanda has spent her career working in experiential education and the non-profit sector to educate the community about how to be more sustainable.

Meet Chase Neilson, a QA/QC Upscaling Technician at Tidal Vision, in Bellingham, WA. Learn how Chase has grown as a scientist at Tidal Vision, his career pathway, and why he loves lab work.

Meet Dr. Hang Liu, an associate professor in the Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles at Washington State University in Pullman, WA. Learn how Dr. Liu’s research is revolutionizing textile waste recycling and what inspired her to have a career in green chemistry and sustainable design!

Meet Jem Talusig, an Analytical Chemist at Tidal Vision, in Bellingham, WA. Learn how Jem preserved through her education to be a chemist and how her work in the lab supports sustainable practices.

Meet Jennifer Reece, the Global Lead of Sustainable Materials Innovation at HP, Inc. Learn about Jennifer’s job, her journey to a career in sustainability, and more!

Meet Dr. Justin Rewerts PhD, a Chemist in the Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction Program at the Washington State Department of Ecology. Learn about what Justin’s job looks like, why he chose to go onto post secondary education, and more!

Meet Sean Zigah, a Chemist in the Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction Program at the Washington State Department of Ecology. Learn about Sean’s job, how he improved his communication skills in order to become a better scientist, and more.

Meet Taylor Nations, the Regulatory Compliance Director for ECOS, in Lacey, WA. Learn how Taylor was introduced to green chemistry and sustainable design, innovations she is involved with at ECOS, and the importance of regulations for consumer products.

Please email Carissa Haug at the NCESD