irene tan developing an ethical mind through chemistry teachers’ conference 2014...
TRANSCRIPT
Irene TAN
DEVELOPING AN ETHICAL MIND THROUGH CHEMISTRY
Teachers’ Conference 2014
Concurrent Session 4, 11.45 am, Room 320
Irene TAN
RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT CHEM TEACHING
• is unpopular and irrelevant in the eyes of students (Kracjik et al., 2001; Osborne and Collins, 2001: Pak, 1997; Sjoberg, 2001; WCS, 1999; ICASE, 2003);
• does not promote higher order cognitive skills (Anderson et al, 1992; Zoller, 1993);
• leads to gaps between students’ wishes and teachers’ teaching (Hofstein et al. 2000; Yager and Weld, 2000; Holbrook and Rannikmae, 2002); and
• chemistry curricula tend to put the subject first, and applications a poor second (Holbrook, 2005).
Irene TAN
TAXONOMY OF SIGNIFICANT LEARNING
• Significant Learning Involves both cognitive and affective domains.
• It is characterised by “some kind of lasting change that is important in terms of the learner’s life”.
(Fink 2003)
Irene TAN
When a learning experience has a profound effect on a student, it can result in
a greater sense of caring for the subject, for themselves, others, or learning in general.
Greater caring can lead to new interests, energy for learning, or
a change in values.
(Fink 2003)
Irene TAN
CATEGORIES OF SIGNIFICANT LEARNINGLearning Categories Specific Kinds of LearningFoundational Knowledge
Understanding and Remembering Information & Ideas
Application Skills; Critical, Creative, and Practical Thinking; Managing Projects
Integration Connecting Ideas, People, and Realms of LifeHuman Dimension Learning about Oneself and OthersCaring Developing New Feelings, Interests, and ValuesLearning How to Learn
Becoming a Better Student; Inquiring About a Subject; Self-directing Learners
(Fink 2003)
Irene TAN
INTERESTS ARE NOT CAST IN STONE
• Interests can be acquired and they can change (Bandura, 1986, Wade, 2001)
• This is helpful from the perspective of teaching chemistry… we can stimulate, maintain and stabilise our students' interests
• Interest can be increased or intensified (Streller & Bolte, 2012)
Irene TAN
CHEMISTRY TEACHERS COULD
• inspire students to explore and discuss about chemistry by challenging them to create effective solutions for real-life problems;
• incorporate scientific method, including how to make observations, collect and record data, interpret and draw conclusions;
• infuse fun investigations, demonstrate chemical reactions, invite students to carry inquiry and presenting their learning; and
• lead field trips to a local companies or places of scientific interests to help students understand how Chemistry impacts their lives.
Irene TAN
SOME EXAMPLES OF ASSIGNMENTS
These will help the students appreciate what they learn in the subject and provide them an
opportunity to delve deep into an area that matters to them.
Irene TAN
ASSIGNMENT: A GREAT CHEMIST
• WHO is he (or she)?
• WHAT was his or her work about?
• WHAT was one of his or her greatest achievement?
• WHAT was his or her philosophy?
• Relate an interesting episode in his or her life.
• WHAT have I learnt from this project?
Suggestion for implementation: at start of the subject at Secondary three
Irene TAN
ASSIGNMENT: A USEFUL CHEMICAL
• Look for products people use in their daily life
– Food: canned food, preserved fruits
– Drinks: canned or bottled drinks
– Toiletries: perfume, shampoo, detergent
– Containers: bottles, foam cups, containers
• Study the product label carefully and identify ONE chemical in it
– Acid or Alkali or Base or Salt (NaCl: not to be used because it is too common)
Suggestion for implementation: at start of the topic “Acids, Bases & Salts”
Irene TAN
ASSIGNMENT: A USEFUL CHEMICAL
• In less than 300 words, explain the following:
– WHAT is the product?
– WHAT is the product used for? WHO uses this product?
– WHAT is the chemical in this product?
– What is the purpose of this chemical in the product?
– WHERE do you get it from?
– WHAT IF this product is not used?
– WHAT have I learnt?
Suggestion for implementation: at start of the topic “Acids, Bases & Salts”
Irene TAN
ASSIGNMENT: A USEFUL CHEMICAL
• In less than 100 words, write down what you have learnt from this mini-research.
• Submit your assignment in – PowerPoint (max 5 slides);
– Prezi;
– Animated video (no more than 5 minutes);
– Blog; or
– Any other ICT means.
Irene TAN
• Design a 1-page summary for each of the element assigned to you on an A4-sized paper
• Essential information is shown on the right
• Draw as colourfully as you can• All info must be accurate• Hand in your draft for check
ASSIGNMENTSuggestion for implementation: at start of the topic “Periodic Table”
http://elements.wlonk.com/Elements_Pics_Simple_200x153.png
Irene TAN
A SERIOUS CHEMICAL DISASTER
• WHAT happened?
• WHEN did this happen?
• WHERE was this?
• WHY did this happen?
• WHO was/were responsible?
• WHAT have I learnt from this incident?
Suggestion for implementation: at start of the subject at Secondary three
Irene TAN
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
• Who was responsible for the disaster?• What could have been done to prevent the
disaster from happening?• If you were there, what would you have
done?• How can you apply what you have learned to
your daily life as a person?
Irene TAN
AN EXAMPLE OF STUDENTS’ WORK
This is the presentation by a group of 5 secondary three students. Their work was so outstanding that they were invited to
share at the school’s assembly.
http://img.timeinc.net/time/magazine/archive/covers/1984/1101841217_400.jpg
India, Bhopal (Central India)
Roughly 580 km south of India’s capital, New Delhi
Population of 1.5 million
Pesticide Plant owned by Union Carbide Corp, a US company
WHERE DID IT HAPPEN?
http://www.theinnovationdiaries.com/wp-
content/uploads/2011/11/bhopal-gas-disaster.jpg
AT A PESTICIDE PLANT OWNED BY UNION CARBIDE
CORPORATION
Before the Disaster
http://subversify.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/bhopal01.jpg
FORMULA FOR DISASTER…
Factory built in a densely populated area
Union Carbide Corporation chose to cut cost in two major areas: Staff
Reduce Staff — no. of staff was too small
Reduce Training — staff not sufficiently trained in safety procedures
Maintenance Critical equipment was not properly
maintained or repaired
Vent Gas Scrubber
Leaking gas could have been detoxified but scrubber was turned off to cut production cost
Flare Tower
Designed to turn off gas but a connecting pipe was removed for maintenance
Water Curtain
Not high enough to reach gas
MIC Storage Tanks
Over 40 tonnes of MIC & water leakage caused excessive production of heat
Refrigeration System
Cooling system was shut down in June 1984 to cut cost of production
A DISASTER BREWING…http://www.lenntech.com/images/bhopal.gif
Night of Death
Life was calm and normal before the “Night of Death”
Bhopal, 2nd Dec 1984
http://kaw.stb.s-msn.com/i/F2/4A97FB2BBFE9C61D9878CB1E8811C7.jpg
Mushaira: A community
performanceRestaurants were
packed with people
Wedding ceremonies all round the city
Night of Death
That night, people of Bhopal retired as usual… Little did they know they would wake up to
breathlessness, burning eyes & a toxic cloud Panic, fear, horror and death were to fill the
nighthttp://kaw.stb.s-msn.com/i/F2/4A97FB2BBFE9C61D9878CB1E8811C7.jpg
DISASTER STRUCK…
The air inside the factory was charged with panic and fear
The under-trained staff knew that there was a leak in one of the tanks which held more than 40 tonnes of toxic chemical
The city was asleep… They switched off the siren… for fear of
“waking people unnecessarily” Over half a million people was to be
subjected to one of the most horrific events in the history of industrial disasters
There was no where to run…
Toxic gas escaped into the air and blew over the city by wind… The entire sky of Bhopal was covered with deadly chemical gases
Death descended from the night sky
Factory owned by UC was running at
a loss
UC wanted to cut production cost
Cut down on regular
maintenance
Nov 1984: Safety systems shut down
…water flowed into the MIC tank
(E610)Senior staff were
alerted
2 Dec 1984: from a corroded pipe…
Decision: switch off the siren
Did not want to alarm the
community
Exposure to water = uncontrolled
reaction
Increased temp & pressure
MIC tanks exploded
WHAT IS MIC?
H
H C N ═ C ═ OH
Methyl isocyanate (MIC) Formula H3C-N=C=O. Hazardous organic compound Used in the making of pesticide
Skin chemical burns & sores
Stomach pains leading to shock
Reproductive problems
Lung permanent damage
Vomiting & breathing problems
Eyes severe pain, may lead to blindness
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9gvDVOHC9g8/SrN2ghG5U5I/AAAAAAAAACY/3Qiwhfum-3U/s400/bhopal.jpg.gif
Increased infant mortality, cancer, genetic defects, liver & kidney failure
THE AFTERMATH
The release of MIC into the air killed thousands of people 8000 had died from direct toxic
exposure 500,000 others were injured
Making Bhopal a huge graveyard
THE MORNING AFTER…
Dead on the street… There was nowhere to run
The toxic fumes covered an area larger than 20 km2
http://www.srai.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/pic21.jpg
On the roadside, near hospital… Hundreds of bodies lying in the
open
http://www.srai.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/pic11.jpg
Innocent children dead from over-exposure to the toxic gases
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PWUEZOcqjCY/TBousQPR83I/AAAAAAAABbc/PEEyrStPlqg/s1600/Bhopal%2BRaghu%2BRai
%2Bchildren.jpg
Skulls of the unclaimed dead at the local hospital left uncollected
http://static.environmentalgraffiti.com/sites/default/files/images/Bhopal_India.jpg
THE AFTERMATH…
Factory was shut down 3 senior staff arrested Warren Anderson, Chairman of Union Carbide at the
time was charged in court for HOMICIDE
The charge: “cost-cutting at the factory is alleged to have heavily compromised safety standards”
http://subversify.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/bhopal2.jpg
TODAY… 23 YRS AFTER THE GAS LEAK
Bhopal is still a toxic site
the old factory hasn't been cleaned up
20,000 more died as a result of the disaster through the years
3 to 5 people die of related illnesses each month
Bodies keep piling
The old factory is still sitting in Bhopal,
deteriorating over the years. No one is cleaning
up.http://www.google.com.sg/imgres?sa=X&biw=1024&bih=712&tbm=isch&tbnid=3kU3QHWFqms36M
%3A&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dw.de%2Fbhopal-gas-leak-25-years-on
TODAY… 23 YRS AFTER THE GAS LEAK
> 25,000 tons of contaminated material remain
Poorly stored in bags & buried in unmarked pits
Toxins have seeped into the underground water source The child here is
seen pumping underground
water contaminated by toxins but this is
all they havehttp://mmdocumentary.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/alex_masi_bhopal_2009_all_rights_reserved181.jpg
ANGER… TILL TODAY
1989: UC’s paid $470 million to the Indian Government for damages
$370 to $533 per victim… Too little for medical bills
2001: Union Carbide merged with Dow Chemicals
Since the merger, Dow Chemicals has refused to assume responsibilities
People staged protests every year on 3 Dec
http://southasiarev.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/india-bhopal1-e1259358102803.jpg%3Fw%3D300%26h%3D240
People staged protests every year on 3 Dec
http://bhopal.net/wp-content/uploads/2004/12/candlelitvigil%2Bportraits.jpg
If it (Union Carbide) had thought about those poor, innocent people and not just about making profits, nothing like this would have happened.
I think this chemical disaster could be avoided if the company had been responsible enough to put in place an effective safety system.
I learnt that observing safety precautions is the most important of all.I feel really sorry for those who have died in the disaster.
Some victims only received their compensations in 2004. 20 yrs after the disaster. It was too little, too late and it had killed many, many people.
SAFETY PRECAUTION IS STILL THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL!!!
I think this chemical disaster can be avoided if the company had put in effort in building up the safety system… and not be just think about making profit.
I do not understand why companies like Union Carbide can risk so many lives just to cut costs.
The research on this disaster has taught me many things. The most important is RESPONSIBILITY
I feel that if they were responsible, this disaster would not have happened.I felt a deep anger & hurt when I saw this photo.
http://lalitkumar.in/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Bhopal_Gas_Tragedy.jpg
To every mother of Bhopal who lost a child on the Night of Death
This statue was placed in the town centre of Bhopal, Date, unknown. Sculptor, unknown.
http://files.earthday.net/earthdaycurriculu
m/environmentaljusticefiles/images/
pics/image009.jpg
DEVELOPING AN ETHICAL MIND
THROUGH STORIES AND DISCUSSIONS
Sadker & Sadker (1977)• I am a survivor of a concentration camp. My
eyes saw what no person should witness… Concentration camps built by engineers… Infants killed by educated physicians…
• Help our students understand to become human…
• Shared by Keynote Speaker Professor Berowitz (TC, 2014)
Haber, Fritz1868 - 1934,
German Chemist
• He was a Professor of Physical Chemistry at Karlsruhe and the Director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute at Dahlem in 1911.
• During World War I he directed Germany's chemical warfare activities, which included the introduction of poison gas (chlorine); and supervised its initial deployment on the Western Front at Ypres, Belgium, in 1915.
• His promotion of this frightening chemical weapon triggered the suicide of his wife, who was herself a Chemist.
• Many in the Science community condemned him for his war time role.
• There was great concern when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 1918 for the synthesis of ammonia from its elements.
Nobel, Alfred1833 - 1896,
Swedish Chemist
His younger brother died in an accident while he
performed an experiment involving highly explosive
chemicals.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2117/2419709613_9cb2748dc8.jpg
ORIGINAL PROBLEM SCENARIO
Which is the best way to transport fuels? In solid, liquid or gaseous state? Why?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2117/2419709613_9cb2748dc8.jpg
VALUE-BASED SCENARIO
Should I advise my client to transport fuel in the solid form so that I can make more profit out of that?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mirkopucci/2710487223/
ORIGINAL PROBLEM SCENARIO
Why are we able to detect smell? (beside obvious biological reasons)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mirkopucci/2710487223/
VALUE-BASED SCENARIO
Should I cut cost so as to increase profit margin by excluding the smell additive from fuel?
Importance of density in everyday life.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27117418@N07/2559014732/in/photostream/
ORIGINAL PROBLEM SCENARIO
What my customers do not know would not harm them. Can I mix pure gold with some cheaper metal?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27117418@N07/2559014732/in/photostream/
VALUE-BASED SCENARIO
Rusting is an everyday problem. Let us find out how to go about preventing iron from rusting.
ORIGINAL PROBLEM SCENARIO
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21561428@N03/3995449257/
I can get away with using less expensive materials. People would not know until the pieces start rusting and by then I
would be gone.
VALUE-BASED SCENARIO
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21561428@N03/3995449257/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/schlegl/291855802/
What is the everyday application of an extremely exothermic reaction? (such as Thermite Reaction)
ORIGINAL PROBLEM SCENARIO
http://www.flickr.com/photos/schlegl/291855802/
Soldering can also “mend the track” and it involves less manpower and saves cost. It is an effective way to increase
profit margin for my railway maintenance company. Is it true?
VALUE-BASED SCENARIO
Recycle because natural resources are limited & and finite
ORIGINAL PROBLEM SCENARIO
http://gardnermetals.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/slider3_metals.jpg
Why do we need to recycle? What if we don’t? What can I do about it?
VALUE-BASED SCENARIO
http://gardnermetals.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/slider3_metals.jpg
Reported in Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest grain elevator, the DeBruce Grain elevator was located southwest of Wichita, Kansas.
Explosion of DeBruce Grain Elevator Wichita, Kansas (8 June 1998)
http://haysvilleonline.com/hol/uploads/history/files/debruce.jpg
http://www.elevatorbobs-elevator-pics.com/images2/Grain%20Elevators/ge35.jpg
Explosion of DeBruce Grain Elevator - Wichita, Kansas
The cause of explosion was due to an explosive mixture of powdered grain (fuel) and air (oxidiser) in a closed space and an ignition
Badly damaged silos
http://www.vst.cz/images/explosions/silo-2.jpg
WHAT IS SCIENCE? HOW DO WE TEACH SCIENCE?
WHAT IS SCIENCE?
Science Curriculum Framework
Contexts •Personal • Local/national•Global
Competencies •Explain phenomena •Evaluate and design
scientific enquiry • Interpret data and
evidence scientifically
Require individuals to display
SCIENCE LITERACY (PISA, 2015)
How an individuals does this is influenced by
Knowledge •Content •Procedural •Epistemic
Attitudes • Interest in science •Valuing scientific
approaches to enquiry •Environmental
awareness
The cure for boredom is CURIOSITY.
There is NO CURE FOR CURIOSITY.
Dorothy Parker
http://www.flickr.com/photos/h19/3816763066/
I have no special talent.
http://500px.com/photo/417892
I am only
ALBERT EINSTEIN
passionately curious.
