Chemist preaches green; Upchurch turns focus to environmental education

Chemist preaches green; Upchurch turns focus to environmental education
Published January 7, 2011 in the Commercial Appeal

Fifteen years ago, Sandra Upchurch responded to a plea for industrial chemists to substitute teach in an industrial chemistry program in the Memphis City Schools. The lifelong Memphian applied for the position, but never taught as a substitute a single day. Instead she became director of the program.

Upchurch's work with young people will impact our future and could be the catalyst for bringing minority students and others into the field of chemistry with the mindset to look for better ways to utilize, produce and manufacture items we use in our everyday lives.

Although her industrial chemistry program was closed abruptly last fall, Upchurch continues to make education a top priority at the state and national level...(Read more).