Pupil Research Briefs – Chemistry Briefs

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This Pupil Research Brief (PRB), designed by a team at the Centre for Science Education, supports the teaching and learning of chemistry at GCSE and Scottish Standard Grade levels. Each brief was targeted at a topic within the curriculum at the time. The study guide provides a structure to guide the students through the brief and includes sections entitled ‘Setting the scene’, ‘Syllabus targets’, ‘Route through the brief’ and ‘Outcome checklist’. Each topic is accompanied by a teachers' guide.

The briefs
• A burning problem
Working in a team preparing a proposal for a grant to fund research into how to make diesel engines burn fuel more efficiently.

• Catalytic traps
Working in a team preparing a proposal for a grant to fund research into catalysis. Trying out some new ideas before writing the bid for funding.

• Feed the world
Carrying out research into fertilisers. Using the findings to produce a leaflet for either farmers or teachers in a developing country.

• Michael Faraday and electrolysis
Discussing the work of Faraday based on extracts from his diaries, letters and researches. Carrying out investigations into electrolysis and comparing them with Faraday’s results.

• Ozone conference
Preparing and presenting short talks about ground level (tropospheric) ozone and about the ozone layer (stratospheric ozone). Taking part in discussions on how to tackle the problems associated with ozone in these two regions of the atmosphere.

• Sea chemistry
Carrying out one or more investigations on the chemicals dissolved in sea water.

• Seeing the light
Working in a group, investigating a test for determining low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide by measuring luminescence. Trying out and evaluating one or more methods.

• A short course of rust
Preparing to run a four-day training course for engineers working for a Middle Eastern oil company. Working through the new activities to be included in the course, checking the experiments and questions, providing written answers and specimen results and suggesting any necessary changes to the activities.

HEALTH and SAFETY
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