Two-Time Participant of NSF Research Experiences for Teachers Program Awarded for UMD-Born Green Chemistry Research

Two-time participant of the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program Mildred Pates, a chemistry and environmental science teacher at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, was recognized by the American Chemical Society (ACS) for a dissertation study born out of a classroom activity developed at the University of Maryland.

Pates, who participated in Summer Research Experiences in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Technology (ReSET) RET programs in 2022 and 2025, is a recipient of the ACS Committee on Environment and Sustainability (CES) Award for Incorporation of Sustainability into Chemical Education, which recognizes individuals who contribute to the society’s new campaign for a sustainable future, including creating a workforce trained in sustainability concepts.

“To be a recipient of the ACS-CES Award for incorporating sustainability into chemistry education is both an honor and a validation of my commitment to making chemistry meaningful, relevant, and transformative for my students,” said Pates.

Her dissertation, which was presented at the University of Science & Technology in the Philippines in the Summer of 2025, was titled “Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) Utilizing Fruit Wastes: Their Biochemical Characteristics and Instructional Applications," which focused on ways to leverage non-edible fruit waste as a source of bioactive chemicals. Her work utilized the phytochemical contents of fruit peel and pulp, to synthesize silver nanoparticles and offer a use for municipal solid waste, a growing environmental concern.

Her dissertation study evolved from her 2022 RET where she participated under the guidance of materials science and engineering Professor Mohamad Al-Sheikhly and Associate Professor Isabel Lloyd. She incorporated the research as a classroom component for her students with the goal of teaching green chemistry principles, environmental sustainability, and waste management, among others, to also enhance chemistry learning experiences.

“Mildred is an excellent example of how the NSF RET program benefits teachers and students by bringing research into the classroom,” said Lloyd. “She was exceptional; continuing to collaborate with faculty and our team to refine her classroom project while analyzing the results, leading to her doctorate in education.”

Returning to UMD in the Summer of 2025, Pates’ second RET was focused on developing components for an emerging solid-state cooling technology, known as “elastocaloric cooling.” Compared to conventional air-conditioning technologies, which rely largely on hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants, elastocaloric cooling has zero direct global emissions. It uses solid shape-memory alloys to generate efficient cooling through reversible mechanical stress—a promising, sustainable alternative for next-generation HVAC applications. She said these learning experiences have impacted her style of teaching.

“Educational experiences become truly meaningful when they move beyond engagement and lead to lasting understanding. These experiences have shaped my approach to teaching, transforming my classroom into a space where curiosity drives inquiry, and learning endures beyond the lesson,” said Pates.

Published March 31, 2026