Here we will provide excellent examples of practical activities that have been shared by teachers who completed the survey. Where possible, we will provide these, with acknowledgement, in their original language and translated into English.
These are currently being compiled for upload.
In the mean time, here are some resources related to three practical activities that we conducted together with local school teachers attending the European Conference on Research in Chemical Education (ECRICE, Lisbon, September 2024) and also at the African Conference on Research in Chemical Education (ACRICE, Tanzania, December 2024). We are sincerely thankful to the local conference organisation committees (NOVA School of Science and Technology and University of Dar es Salaam respectively) that made this possible.
Splitting water with a 9V battery
A hands-on experiment for school students to conduct an electrolysis of water. Students can then test to confirm the presence of hydrogen and oxygen gas. This can linked to hydrogen role’s in meeting our needs for a sustainable future.
Youtube video explaining how to conduct the experiment (~7 min)
Youtube video showing just a key steps and observations (<2 min)
Word document where you access the procedure for the experiment, download the file and edit for your own purposes
Biodegradable capsules
A hands-on experiment where school students can make biodegradable capsules by mixing sodium alginate solution with calcium chloride solution. If you made these from food stuffs and did it outside of the lab you could eat them! An interesting experiment related to alternatives to single use packaging, thereby reducing waste.
Youtube video explaining how to conduct the experiment (~8.5 min)
Youtube video showing just a key steps and observations (<2 min)
Word document where you access the procedure for the experiment, download the file and edit for your own purposes
Making an aluminium-air battery
A hands-on experiment for school students to make a simple battery out of mostly household items, to generate a small amount of voltage. Hook up a few of these together and you can power a small LED. This can linked to aluminium’s importance in a sustainable future.
Youtube video explaining how to conduct the experiment (~7 min)
Youtube video showing just a key steps and observations (~1.5 min)
Word document where you access the procedure for the experiment, download the file and edit for your own purposes
Extra resources
Extra resources linked to these three experiments can be accessed here
We also wish to acknowledge those who have developed and shared with us versions of these practical activities, including
Making an aluminium-air battery
• Diana Kennen (Rochdale K-12, USA) and Matthew McDowell (Georgia Institute of Technology, USA)
Biodegradable Capsules
• Adele Mastroyannis (Flinders University, Australia) and Tessa Faulks (Monash University, Australia); Jane Wissinger (University of Minnesota, USA)
Splitting water with a 9V battery
• Zuriata Zakaria (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia).