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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)
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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
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?)
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.
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?