Making Science Relevant
April 2008
By connecting science learning to important societal issues, teachers can motivate students to both enjoy and engage in relevant science (Bennet, Lubben, and Hogarth 2007). To develop that connection, teachers can help students take an active role in authentic community-based science that goes beyond merely learning about the science behind the issues. This article describes an approach to relevancy through an inquiry-based project that connects high school biology, chemistry, and environmental science curriculum to the local environment and the issue of water conservation and protection.
Idea Bank: Clay Pot Refrigerators
November 2007
Access to refrigeration is something we take for granted in the United States. However, for many countries, refrigeration is not an option for keeping food fresh. In 1995, a teacher in Nigeria named Mohammed Bah Abba developed and began to popularize a low-cost alternative to electric refrigerators called the “zeer pot.” Several of the author’s chemistry students, who are also taking ceramics, became intrigued with zeer pots and wanted to study them for their end-of-the-year inquiry projects. This article discusses the students’ investigations of zeer pots, and the use of evaporation as a cooling technique.
Career of the Month: An Interview with Green Product Chemist Andy Chen
November 2007
Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce, recycle, or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. The fundamental idea of green chemistry is that the designer of a chemical is responsible for considering what will happen to the world after the product is introduced. Nike product chemist Andy Chen uses green chemistry to develop materials for apparel, equipment, and footwear that are healthy for workers, consumers, and the environment.
Share the Science!
May 2004
Students who participate in community outreach programs develop a positive awareness for civic duty and observe applications of their learning (Waldstein and Reiher 2001). Teachers and students discover the most vivid benefits of service learning when they participate themselves: Students are energized and the school builds a stronger link with the community. This article describes how high school chemistry students partnered with a local children’s museum for service learning and outreach. The activities and benefits of the volunteer curriculum are also discussed. The project illustrates the powerful connection between what students learn and how they can share it with others.