Case Module Template
Title: Relief!
Idea for the case or the case draft
“There are pancakes on the table for you, John!” yelled Mum to Johnny who was frantically brushing his
teeth while flattening his hair, now unkempt because of sleep.
“Ya… yes.. Ma…” stuttered Johnny through the saliva-ful mess of toothpaste, teeth and toothbrush. He
was only thinking of the upcoming game against Nan Hua High’s soccer team. If he did not hurry, he
might miss the chance of being able to play against them. “Coach will not like it if I am late! I need to
hurry!” thought Johnny as he struggled to put on his football kit.
Johnny arrived just on time, safe, except for the glare of Coach Ahmad who had expected him to be early
to complete his warmups. Clementi Town Secondary's soccer team managed a 3-1 win against Nan Hua
High’s soccer team. Johnny managed to score 2 of the 3 winning goals and he was elated.
There was a constant gurgling in his stomach but the urge to drink because he had perspired a lot over
took this gurgling and because he wanted to celebrate, he bought a can of Coca-Cola on his trudge back
home.
When he arrived home, the cramp at his abdominal area made him feel weak. He told his mother who
scolded him for not eating his breakfast. She rummaged through the medicine box and took out a roll of
tablets.
“Swallow two of these. It will help.” she commanded.
Relief was what Johnny felt after a few minutes. “Was it panadol she gave me?”
Case introduction  KWL  Case Analysis  Resource identification
Resources: Include the main simulation or tool used and one additional resource
http://group.chem.iastate.edu/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/acidbasepH/
ph_meter.html (Guided worksheet to test pH of various substances)
http://www.myhealthtips.in/2013/07/home-remedies-for-gastric-problem.html
(home made remedies for treating gastric problems)
Two possible investigations that use inquiry: Include details of what students will do, any
lab sheets you have found, etc.
Students will be given an acid and carbonate.
1) Asked to test for carbon dioxide gas.
2) How to use a pH meter via simulation
Question: What is found in the tablet that Johnny’s mum gave to Johnny?
Hypothesis: If the tablet is ingested and Johnny felt less pain, then the accumulation
of acid that caused the pain reacted with the tablet.
Students will be given stomach contents (constant variable), four different tablet
substances (A: sulfate salt, B: nitrate salt, C: carbonate salt, D: base ; independent variable)
and pH meter to measure pH (dependent variable).
Students will inquire which of the four tablets (A – D) had a reaction with the acid using the
NIE 2015
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pH meter.
Students will record all data in the form of a table …
After realizing that two of the substances react with the acid (shown by a noticeable pH
change value), they will further inquire on the nature of the two substances via the
products of reaction.
Students will use the carbon dioxide test to differentiate between the carbonate and the
base given.
They will realize one is a carbonate and the other, by elimination, is a base.
Conclusion: Tablet Johnny took contains a carbonate or a base or a mixture of both.
Two possible student products
Poster presentation
Lab report
One example rubric for one of your products
RubricCaseBased Lesson (LS-16)
How the 21st Century Competencies are Addressed
1. Civic Literacy, Global
Case Narrative
Case Analysis
Awareness & Cross-cultural
Experimental design
Skills
2. Critical and Inventive
Thinking
3. Information and
Communication Skills
Case Analysis
Resources for answering questions
Exploring case resources
Experimental design
Experimental data collection and summary
Presentation
Case Narrative
Case Analysis
Resources for answering questions
Exploring case resources
Experimental design
Presentation
Themes/major concepts of Lower Secondary Science Syllabus 2013 addressed
Theme
Major idea
Systems
Chemical Changes (neutralization)
How chemical reactions benefit our lives
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LS-24
Authors and school affiliations
Rachel Lehming and Sumitha Kirsnan
NIE 2015
LS-24