| According to the American Chemical Society, "Green Chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances." A lab manual (titled "Green Chemistry Laboratory Manual: First Year High School Chemistry) was developed, beginning in June 2002, by two Union students under the mentorship of Dr. Sally Henrie, which incorporated Green Chemistry with learning. Ruth Hall, a graduate of Cahokia High School in Cahokia, IL, and Kacey R. Fowler, a graduate of Jackson Central Mary (JCM) High School in Jackson, TN developed 19 chemistry laboratory exercises this summer which incorporate common household items. These labs, which follow the principles of Green Chemistry, were developed to replace currently used labs which may contain hazardous substances, and still teach important lab techniques. Both students attend Union University where they are earning Chemistry majors with secondary education minors, and planning to teach high school chemistry in the near future (May 2004 graduation, right after student teaching). As you can see, this project was very relevant to them. Every year high school chemistry labs use or produce hazardous substances which pollute the environment and must be disposed of properly. This special disposal can get very expensive.
*Require 45 minutes or less to perform
- *Follow the principles of Green Chemistry
- *Reduce waste
- *Cost less than comparable labs
- *Reemphasize the material learned in class
- *Incorporate “Inquiry based learning” appropriate for high school students
- *Interest the typical high school student
- *Use and teach basic lab techniques
Concepts the labs cover:
- Significant Figures and Measurement
- Matter and Atoms
- Electron Configuration
- Energy
- Periodic Table
- Chemical bonding
- Chemical Formulas and Compounds
- Chemical Equations and Types of Reactions
- Separation of a Mixture
- Stoichiometry
- The Mole, Avogadro
- Gas Laws
- Physical and Chemical Changes
- Acids and Bases
- Titration and pH
- Reaction Energy and Kinetics
- Thermodynamics
- Oxidation-Reduction
- Catalysts
Names of actual laboratory exercises developed during this research:
- Introduction to Significant Figures
and Measurements
- Properties of Matter: Density
- Electron Configuration: Chemistry of Fireworks
- Energy: Calorimetry of S’mores
- The Periodic Table: Its Trends and Uses
- Chemical Bonding: Polarity of Slime and Silly Putty
- Chemical Compounds: Qualitative Tests
for Ions
- Types of Chemical Reactions
- Stoichiometry: Mole-to-mole Ratios
- The Mole: Avogadro’s Number
- Gas Laws: Decomposition of Hydrogen
- Peroxide by Carrot Catalyst
- Separation of a Mixture
- Chemical and Physical Change
- Properties of Acids and Bases
- Titration of Acidic Candy
- Rates of Reaction
- Thermodynamics: Heat Packs vs. Cold Packs
- Oxidation-Reduction Reaction:
Can Aluminum Become Magnetic?
- Rusting Catalyzed by Salts
After each lab was develop and tested, it was written out in Lab manual form, complete with introduction, list of materials, procedure, and thought provoking questions.
The research was presented several times this school year. The power point presentation was called "Developing High School Chemistry Laboratories That Incorporate the Principles of Green Chemistry." It was presented to the Research class, at the "Brown-bag" Seminar, the University of Memphis, the Seminar class, middle school and high school science teachers who attended the West Tennessee Regional Science Fair this spring, the Teagle grant presentation, and the version was presented on Union's campus, and at the National American Chemical Society Meeting held in New Orleans in March, 2003.
The lab manual was sent to 3 publishing companies: Prentice Hall, McGraw-Hill, and Flinn Scientific. We are waiting in anticipation, but have not heard yet. |
