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Employing Popular Children's Literature To Teach Elementary School Chemistry: An Engaging Outreach Program

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Laura M. Wally , Nancy E. Levinger and David W. Grainger

Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1872

J. Chem. Educ., 2005, 82 (10), p 1489

DOI: 10.1021/ed082p1489

Publication Date (Web): October 1, 2005

Abstract

Popular cultural themes or fads can provide an effective vehicle to enthuse students about science. The program described here uses current children's literature in a versatile chemical education activity. This activity generates excitement in elementary school students because of the integration of the popular Harry Potter literature series with hands-on experiments. Elementary school student participants are prompted to explore three main scientific topics during this activity: properties of solids, liquids, and gases; scientific ethics; and the scientific method. Undergraduate and high school student volunteer mentors are readily trained to conduct the activity at elementary schools via an introduction to the philosophy of the exercise in conjunction with working through the activity themselves. As an outreach activity it serves to connect undergraduate and high school students both with faculty and their local communities.

Keywords (Audience):

Elementary / Middle School Science

Keywords (Domain):

Curriculum

Keywords (Feature):

Chemistry for Kids

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives

Keywords (Subject):

Enrichment / Review Materials

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This article has been cited by 3 ACS Journal articles (3 most recent appear below).

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