Experience sharing of the implementation of “Inquiry-based Chemistry Experiments” in classrooms

Mr Leung Ka Yin (HKTA The Yuen Yuen Institute No.2 Secondary School)

Experiments attempted:

Electrolysis of Aqueous Copper(II) Chloride Solution (in March 2002)

Making of Sulphur dioxide (in July 2002)

Electrolysis of Aqueous Copper(II) Chloride Solution

Objectives: To investigate the electrical

conductivity of copper(II) chloride. To study the products in the

electrolysis of an aqueous copper(II) chloride solution.

Students have to … design and draw a simple circuit

diagram of electrolysis draw diagrams or write scripts for

the step-by-step sequence of the experiments

seek advice from teacher carry out their tests designed

Students have to …(Cont’d) record the observations of the

experiments. prepare a report after the

experiment

Teacher has to… try out the experiment before

making comments. introduce the nature of this kind of

experiment prepare a menu of suitable level

for his/her students Amend the design of the students

Lab. Tech. has to… co-operate with the teacher prepare the requested apparatus

and chemicals stand-by and assist the teacher

when the experiment is conducting

Students’ Resources References in the Library Internet resources School Textbooks Classmates within their group Hand-out (Tasks, Materials

avaliable, Questions for Further Thought)

My working schedule 1 period for introduction of this expt. 3 working days for students to design 3 working days for teachers to

“mark” their suggestions 1 day for lab technician to prepare

the chemicals and equipment 1.5 periods for the experiment by

students

My working schedule (Cont’d) Half period for class discussions 1 week for marking individual

reports

The set-up in textbooks

mA mA mA

Cathode

Anode

CuCl 2 solution

Container

Some Reflections Different generic skills can be trained,

especially analytical and communication

Students-centred activities No unique answer for science questions A step forward to make face the decline

of the quality of students (If not, what else could we do?)

4 months later…

Making Sulphur Dioxide To prepare sulphur dioxide gas.

To study the chemical properties of sulphur dioxide gas.

Three common methods to generate sulphur dioxide (SO2)

warming acidified sulphite solution, burning sulphur in air, adding copper to concentrated

sulphuric acid.

Safety Precautions! Avoid inhaling deeply the sulphur

dioxide gas produced in the experiment.

Perform the experiment in a well-ventilated laboratory / fume cupboard.

My working schedule Half a period for introduction of

this expt. for students to design 1 day for lab technician to prepare

the chemicals and equipment A special post-exam day (2 hours)

for for the experiment by students

My working schedule (Cont’d) one hour for class discussions

which include the presentation of different set-up by different groups, including the pros and corns.

After the Examinations…

Conclusions “No Royal road to learning” The attitudes of students have

changed a lot. A long term investment on the part

of students. Time to adapt: Both students and

teachers (including Lab. Tech.)

Conclusions (Cont’d)

If there is no guarantee of Exam result by drilling of questions, why not induce their motive to learn by themselves at the beginning of the term?