Biomedical Research Education
Program of Puerto Rico
(BREP)

Ms. Brenda L. Rios, Pfizer Barceloneta; Dr. Margaret Anderson, Pfizer Education Initiative Programs Advisor, Pfizer Foundation, Groton, CT; Dr. Emma Fernández-Repollet, Principal Investigator of the Puerto Rico Biomedical Research Education Program; Ms. Rachel Pokrandt, Senior Associate for Curriculum and Teacher Training for The Keystone Center for Education; Mr. Larry Jozwik, Instructor for The Keystone Center for Education, Professor Sonia Cordero and Ms. Sonia Cordero, Science Teacher, Jose de Diego Middle School, Aguadilla.

Science Teacher Workshop: Principles of Green Chemistry

On March 5, 2007 The Pfizer Foundation in collaboration with Keystone Center for Education presented the workshop: The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry. The BREP Program was the liaison in Puerto Rico for this activity. Fifteen teachers from various schools throughout the island participated in this activity. The workshop, which lasted a full day, was held in the Caribe Hilton Hotel of Puerto Rico. Ms. Rachel Pokrandt and Mr. Larry Jozwik both from Keystone Center for Education were the presenters of this workshop. Various representatives of The Pfizer Foundation were present during the activity, these were: Mr. Jorge Monclova, Ms. María Machado and Ms. Brenda Rios. Also present was Dr. Margaret Anderson from Pfizer in Groton, Connecticut.

Teachers work in the first step toward the production of crayons.

The workshop, The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry is designed to be a simulation of actual business methodology in which students are challenged to manufacture a crayon. It introduces teachers to the topic of Green Chemistry and provides a hands-on inquiry-based unit in which middle level students can explore this emerging approach to chemical manufacturing. This multi-disciplinary curriculum also includes social studies, science, math, and language arts.

School teachers sorting the waste products that will have to be dispose properly.
Ms. Rachel Pokrandt acts as an independent waste disposal contractor.

The members of the BREP Program including Dr. Emma Fernández Repollet, Principal Investigator, Dr. Abraham Schwartz, Co Investigator, Mr. Felipe Padilla, Administrator and Ms. Odalis García Colón, Coordinator wish to thank the Pfizer Foundation and Keystone Center for Education for bringing this Workshop to Puerto Rico.

Contact Information:

Emma Fernandez-Repollet, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Biomedical Research Education Program of Puerto Rico
Biomedical Building No. 1, Suite 295
GPO Box 365067
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-5067
Telephone: (787) 764-7074
Fax: (787) 274-1639
Email:efernandez@rcm.upr.edu