Project learning in Chemistry

Pun Kwong CheungSKH Tsang Shiu Tim Sec Sch

Target group and stages

• F.6/7 Chemistry students• All 3 Chemistry teachers and others• Stages:

• Familiarization of data-loggers• May 2002

• Project proposals• Summer holidays

• Presenting project proposals• Experimental work

• End October – 1/11/2002• Project presentation and write reports

• Nov 2002• Final presentation

• 7/12/2002

Stage I

• Borrow equipment from ED• Perform some of the data-log experim

ents• Forms/experimental details : from the

CDI’s website

Photos: May 2002

Stage II : Project proposals

• Seminars:• How to write project proposals?• Searching information skills

• By school librarian

• Using KF (HKU): Students to discuss online

• Target:• To produce project proposals

KF

• Technical help from CITE, HKU• Some general topics for each

group:• What can data loggers do?• Project ideas – brainstorming• Refine ideas => project proposal

KF

• http://cite-kf.cite.hku.hk/

What did they write?(Coke)

• How often do you drink cola ?

• We can do a experiment to find out the carbon dioxide • content in different cola , like coca-cola , pepsi .....

• and therefore we can recommend a "healthier" one (or the one which have a bad taste ^^) to others .

• The problem we have to solve is how to test dissolved carbon dioxide ? distillation ? or others?

• Please discuss and share your idea ....^^

Reflection journal (Student)

• What have we learnt?• Be confident to blame others by

evidence or reference• Realize the importance of other

members• Job distribution

Stage III:Presenting proposals

• Present their proposals

Stage III: Follow-up

• Skills in public speaking• General (Principal)• Using English (English teacher)

• Refine their proposals• Discuss with the students

• Trial

Proposals

• Mouthwash• Water Quality• Vitamin in fruits• Washing powder• Coke

Stage III: Follow-up (I)

• Public speaking• General (Principal)• English (English

teacher)

Stage III: Follow-up (II)

• Trial• List of apparatus and reagents• Workable??

Stage IV:Experimental work

• Duration: from 23/10 to 1/11• Area A for TAS• Difficulties encountered:

• Some have to be monitored for a period of time

• Some require field work

Experimental work: Photos

Expt work: Movie clip

Stage IV (Cont’d)

• Solving difficulties:• Reschedule the lab periods

• No lab periods for other classes

• Field work : • Parent’s permission• Multi-tasking by teachers

Difficulties encountered

• Resources• People

• Principal, Staff from CITE, All 3 Chemistry teachers, Lab Technician, School librarian, Teacher Assistants

• $$$• QEF; TAS• Class’s grant (Approved by Principal)

• Equipment & Chemicals• ED

This year - Schedule

• October 2002• Presentation skills (Principal)

• November 2002• Searching skills• Learn to use KF (H-spectrum)

• Chinese New Year / Easter• Project proposals in KF

• April/May 2003• Presenting project proposals

• July 2003• Experimental work

• September 2003 (1st week)• Project reports and presentation