TEACHING RESOURCES INFORMATION
TITLE OF TEACHING RESOURCE
Hands-on Chemistry Activities with Real-Life Applications: Easy-to –Use Labs and Demonstrations for Grades 8-12
NAME OF AUTHOR(S)
Herr Norman, Cunningham James B.
NAME OF PRODUCER
The Center for Applied Research in Education, USA
LEVEL OF CHEMISTRY KNOWLEDGE
Advanced
PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH
Problem solving, Experiential learning
SUBJECT AREA
Fundamental Chemistry, Life Chemistry, Materials Science
TARGET GROUP LEVEL
Primary School, Lower Secondary School, Upper Secondary School
LANGUAGE/S OF TEACHING RESOURCES
English
DESCRIPTION
Hands-On CHemistry Activities With Real-Life Application contains over 300 intriguing investigations designed to engage students in a genuine pursuit of science. This hands-on, inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning scinece follows recommendations set forth in the National Academy of Sciences'.
The contents: The content is clear, formed into several parts and well structured. It is possible to orient within the content by interest, profession, field of study, etc. The content of the materials provides basic as well as detailed information about studies, about experiments.
Activities included in this resource provide meaningful interactions between students and their world in a manner encouraging sound scientific reasoning. Many of the activities produce unexpected or dramatic results that capture student interest. This resource contains more than 450 illustrations and 100 tables to guide students and teachers in carrying out the activities. To stimulate student reasoning, thought-provoking questions are included after each set of activities. Activities included can be carried out with materials commonly found in the students' everyday environment.
As students perform the investigations describe in this resource, they will become engaged in the process of science, and will acquire knowledge and understanding of basic science concepts and the relevance of these to their everyday lives.
The aim: As students perform the investigations described in this resource, they will become engaged in the processes of science, and will acquire knowledge and understanding of basic science concepts and the relevance of these to their everyday lives.
The authors of this work have made every effort to include activities that can be carried out safely with materials commonly found in the students' everyday environment. Some require materials found in the typical science classroom, or inexpensive equipment available from scientific supply houses. Activities have been successfully implemented and tested in the classroom by experienced and novice science teachers.
How to use it in class: The use during teaching is particularly appropriate for interaction between students and their world. It motivates students.
COMMENTS
The main points of strength are the facts that the whole project is quite complex, wide and offers large range of topics. Also as it is written in English it can be used in all the countries, and in addition it is very understandable
The major points of weakness are the fact that it is supposed to be in paper form only, therefore it is not so easy to use it in class.
Regarding the scientific reliability, both authors are professors of science, who have written numerous articles in the field of science education, therefore the reliability ought to be high.
As to the pedagogic value, true following each student section, material developed especially for the teacher explains concepts in greater detail, answers questions, and provides directions for presenting activities as impressive classroom demonstrations.
NAME OF THE REVIEWING ORGANISATION
Institute of chemical technology, Prague
Comments about this Publication
Your comments are welcome
Date: 2013.01.21
Posted by Enrique Santana (Spain)
Message: This site offers a series of books presenting learning activities and strategies focused on Sciences fields (Chemistry, Physics, Geology, and Biology). At first sight, it could seem to be difficult to use them within the classroom since these books deal with experiences.
On the positive side, we could remark the clear explanations these books contain together with the fact that experiences offered have an unexpected result able to gain students attention. Moreover, experiences are performed with simple daily life materials. As a result, students get involved in the learning of Science basic concepts without realizing it.
In addition, this site offers a database of online resources which is really interesting for teachers from my point of view. On the one hand, it provides us with resources aimed at the development of abilities related to sciences such as scientific reasoning, problem solving or skills related to investigation (database analysis, graphics, projects, etc.) On the other hand, it offers a wide range of links to sources and organizations classified into nine groups of interest.
From my point of view, this is the best section of this site. At first, we may not be able to find out what we are looking for but, if we devote some time to learn about its possibilities, it can become the source for many other experiences.
Thus, I consider this is a remarkably valuable resource for teachers because it can really help to make lessons more dynamic and motivational for students once you get to know it.
