68011 - Elements of Chemistry and Chemistry Teaching

Academic Year 2017/2018

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Single cycle degree programme (LMCU) in Primary teacher education (cod. 8540)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will: (a) understand the importance of the Chemistry, not only because it is a central science which enables to understand all the other scientific disciplines, but also because Chemistry is “our everyday life", by showing that it is all around us and in us; (b) understand, by using the comparison between language and Chemistry, the concepts of atom and molecule and know how to use them correctly; (c) be able to apply the scientific method to the observation of reality to explain the "why" and "how" of everyday life; (d) know how to build educational courses addressing topics of Chemistry particularly suitable for developing an interdisciplinary approach, such as water, light, energy; (e) know how to prepare simple experiments to be carried out in the classroom or in the laboratory to accompany the theoretical explanations.

Course contents

The aim of the course is (i) to clarify the concepts of atom and molecule by using a comparison between language and chemistry; (ii) to show that Chemistry gives an answer to many "why" and "how" of the everyday life; (iii) to demonstrate that, despite the common opinion, chemistry is a fascinating discipline strongly related to our everyday life; (iv) to explain that Chemistry (and also science in general) must not be confused with all the harmful effects which derive by a bad use made by men.

Furthermore, because Chemistry is an experimental science, another aim of the course is to show how it is easy to invent or find simple experiments to clarify the addressed theoretical aspects. A teacher, particularly of scientific disciplines, must always remember that it is more useful and exciting "to find out by ourselves" the facts rather than to listen their bare descriptions.

After having examined some of the fundamental concepts which are unavoidable to understand the discipline, during the course specific topics related to everyday life (e.g. light and colours, food, cosmetics, energy, water, etc) will be dealt with. It will also be shown how these topics can be explained in the primary school by use of simple experiments. Because the time available for the course is few, every year it is possible to discuss only some topics which will be chosen accordingly to the interest of the attending students.

The course will be held in the second semester from February 12 to March 7, 2018.

 

Educational workshops on Chemistry and Ecology

The educational workshops of Chemistry and Ecology are closely interconnected with the frontal lessons and they are specifically aimed at "putting in practice, showing, and touching" some of the topics addressed during the lessons.

Groups of few students will conduct simple experiments and they will be helped by the tutors for the comparison and the discussion of the obtained results. The experiments are particularly suitable for the children and they can be easily reproduced in primary school and childhood classes.

The laboratory activities will be held at the Opificio Golinelli, Paolo Nanni Costa St. n. 14, Bologna, and the attendance to at least one of them is compulsory. The timetable of these activities will be communicated at the beginning of the course.

The topics of the educational workshops are :

"Playing with air" (for school of the infancy)

"Plants in a test-tube" (for the I and II elementary class)

"The chemistry of water" (for the III, IV and V elementary class)

The laboratory activity is not evaluated, but the attendance to at least one of them is compulsory to access the integrated exam.

Readings/Bibliography

Il Laboratorio di Scienze (Ed.: Margherita Venturi) Collana "I Laboratori", Tecnodid, Napoli, 2006

Chemistry! Reading and writing the book of nature, Vincenzo Balzani and Margherita Venturi, Royal Society of Chemistry, Gld Edition, London 2014

Energia, Risorse, Ambiente, Vincenzo Balzani and Margherita Venturi, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2014

Lectures notes and handbooks will also be handed in by the person in charge of the course.

Teaching methods

The course will be developed through frontal lessons, discussion and design of simple experiments concerning the themes addressed in the course. Active participation to the lessons will allow each student to consolidate theoretical learning and to see its concrete implications in the contexts of kindergarten and primary school.

Assessment methods

The exam is oral and consists in the discussion of a short thesis prepared by the student on one of the topics dealt with during the course. The thesis has to be sent to the teacher (by e-mail) at least one week before the date selected for the exam, and it has to contain a) the reasons why the specific topic has been selected; b) the scientific/chemical concepts at the basis of the selected topic; c) in which way these concepts can be explain to the children, with particular attention to experiments that can be carried out in class; d) the transdisciplinary links; e) the pertinent references.

The students are required to complete the online registration (Almaesami) within the terms in order to be admitted to the exam. In case of technical problems the students have to promptly contact the Segreteria Studenti and the teacher by email (within the terms). The teacher will consider the request and decide about the admission.

Final score based on ../30 (18 is considered the minimum to pass the exam).

The students can take the exam at each exam session.

The non-attending students are requested to contact the teacher.

Teaching tools

Blackboard, overhead, personal computer, projector, power-point presentations, educational equipment for laboratory.

Office hours

See the website of Margherita Venturi