Professional Reflection-Oriented Focus on Inquiry-based Learning and Education through Science
PROFILES IBSE Teaching/Learning Materials for Teachers
compiled by the PROFILES Working Group of the Freie Universität Berlin – Germany
Berufe-NaWigator – Science-related
Occupational Orientation:
“Laboratory Chemist”
A Module for Science Instruction –
especially Chemistry – for Grades 8 / 9
Developed by:
Institution:
Homepage:
Michael Albertus (2012)
Department of Chemistry Education, Freie Universität Berlin – Germany
www.chemie.fu-berlin.de/didaktik - Mail: didaktik@chemie.fu-berlin.de
Module Content
The integration of elements of occupational orientation into chemistry-related learning environments
offers another possibility for supporting students in their occupational orientation. For this purpose,
information on chemistry-related occupations, selected practical vocational activities and curriculumbased contents are combined. In the module “Laboratory Chemist / Acid-base titration”, the occupation
of laboratory chemists is chosen as reference occupation. The acid-base titration is assigned to the
occupation as an exemplary practical vocational activity because it is both a constituent of the
vocational training for laboratory chemists and a student experiment practicable in school settings.
During the student experiment of acid-base titration, the students first acquaint themselves with the
handling of a burette (experiment 1). The students then are given a solution of sodium hydroxide of
unknown concentration (e.g. 1%), which they titrate with diluted hydrochloric acid (e.g. 3.5%) until the
neutralization point is reached (identifiable by the use of universal indicator) (experiment 2).
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.: 266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
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Professional Reflection-Oriented Focus on Inquiry-based Learning and Education through Science
In a second experiment the students are given a second sample of sodium hydroxide of unknown
concentration (e.g. 2%), which they also titrate with diluted hydrochloric acid (e.g. 3.5%) until the
neutralization point is reached (experiment 3). According to the students’ level of competence,
statements on which sample contains more sodium hydroxide can be made with the help of the
conducted titrations. A quantitative determination is also possible. In both cases, the aim / the reason
for the application of the method of titration is illustrated to the students.
In addition to the practical implementation of the student experiments, the students are supposed to
practice the protocolling of their assays (according to the level of competence: preparation of at least
one protocol with special focus on implementation and observations).
Furthermore, the students can either be provided with various career information from the Federal
Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) (films, texts, etc.) or can carry out their own (internet)
research. A very helpful resource in this context is the webpage:
http://berufenet.arbeitsagentur.de/berufe/index.jsp
Convenient forms of presentation for the findings obtained are posters, student presentations, or quiz
questions developed by the students in the format of the TV-quiz show ‘Who Wants to Be a
Millionaire’. Role plays, self-created short films or radio spots on occupations and experiments are
also possible.
Developed by: Michael Albertus(2012)
Institution: Department of Chemistry Education, Freie Universität Berlin – Germany
Homepage: www.chemie.fu-berlin.de/didaktik - Mail: didaktik@chemie.fu-berlin.de
for teachers – 2/4
Professional Reflection-Oriented Focus on Inquiry-based Learning and Education through Science
Developed by: Michael Albertus(2012)
Institution: Department of Chemistry Education, Freie Universität Berlin – Germany
Homepage: www.chemie.fu-berlin.de/didaktik - Mail: didaktik@chemie.fu-berlin.de
for teachers – 3/4
Professional Reflection-Oriented Focus on Inquiry-based Learning and Education through Science
Developed by: Michael Albertus(2012)
Institution: Department of Chemistry Education, Freie Universität Berlin – Germany
Homepage: www.chemie.fu-berlin.de/didaktik - Mail: didaktik@chemie.fu-berlin.de
for teachers – 4/4