Unit 1 - Introduction to Chemistry
2 weeks
Time Frame
Competencies
C1. Identify chemistry processes in daily life.
C2. Appreciate the achievements of Filipino and foreign scientists in the
development of chemistry and related technology.
C3. Demonstrate understanding of mathematical concepts in chemistry.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF SCIENTISTS IN CHEMISTRY
AND RELATED TECHNOLOGY
Time Frame: 2 sessions
I. Learning Objectives
At the end of the session, the students must gain appreciation for the achievements of
Filipino and foreign scientists in the development of chemistry and related technology.
They should be able to:
1. Give examples of researches conducted by Filipino scientists in the field of
chemistry; and
2. Cite of Filipino and foreign scientists in chemistry and chemical technology.
II. Subject Matter
A. Topic: Achievements of scientists in chemistry and related areas
B. References
1. Department of Education, Culture and Sports. (1991). Science and Technology III.
Quezon City: Book Media Press, pp. 5-6.
2. Hill John W., and Kolb, Doris K., Chemistry for Changing Times, 7th Edition,
London: Prentice Hall International, pp. 27-29.
3. Lee-Chua, Queena, “Ten Outstanding Filipino Scientists”, Mandaluyong: Anvil
Publishing, 2001.
4. Mapa, Amelia R., et al. “Science and Technology”.
C. Materials
Pictures of scientists
Films
Magazine clippings
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III. Learning Tasks
A. Motivation
Did you know that the color mauve (a shade of violet) was accidentally invented by
an 18-year old English chemist, and that this color changed the world around him?
Before 1856, dyes came from insects, roots, leaves, and other natural materials, and
the process of dyeing was expensive. But William Perkin, who was trying to make
artificial quinine as a cure for malaria, instead made a dark oily material that
happened to color silk into light purple. This process showed that the dye could be
mass-produced and that dyeing could be inexpensive. This discovery changed the
idea that chemistry was a theoretical science and led into other applications in
chemical technology.
B. Lesson Proper:
1. Activity: “Who Am I?” (SAS 1-02a)
The previous homework asked the students to look for achievements of one
Filipino scientist and one foreign scientist in the field of chemistry. Get some
students to choose a scientist and to pretend that they are the scientists. The
student acts this out by saying, “I discovered… I researched on…” The other
students try to guess the scientist and note it down on the board.
2. Discussion/ Concept Formation:
a. Can you name some Filipino chemists and their research/invention/
discovery?
i. William Padolina, Ph. D. - known for the excellent pioneering research,
leadership and promotion of national products in chemistry and
biotechnology
ii. Ramon C. Barba, Ph. D. - introduced the use of potassium nitrate to
induce flowering of mango trees
iii. Luz Oliveros Belardo - pioneering research on oil and other useful
products
iv. Eduardo A. Quisumbing - did research on plants as possible sources of
medicine
v. Ernesto del Rosario - a biotechnologist who developed an efficient way
of producing alcohol from agricultural waste
vi. Lani Rose Mateo - researched on the use of mold extract to hasten
coagulation in cheese production
Teacher: Ask the students to research on other Filipino scientists and their
work; at this point, encourage the students to emulate these Filipino scientists
and strive hard to follow their footsteps.
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b. In other parts of the world, there are also several known chemists whose work
is worth emulating. Can you name some of these?
i. William Henry Perkin - discovered a mordant which could make the
dyes stick to cotton and this led to our present day synthetic dye industry
ii. Antoine Lavoisier - recognized as the father of modern chemisty and
discovered “phlogiston” (material of fire)
iii. Joseph Priestley - discovered oxygen the gas that supports combustion
and life
iv. Roy J. Plunkett - discussed the plastic called “Teflon” which is used for
“nonstick“ cooking pans
v. Friedrich Kekulie - discovered the bonding in carbon compounds
particularly the model of carbon atoms in the structure of benzene
vi. Dmitri Mendeleev - arranged the elements in the periodic table
according to increasing weight
Note: The teacher must do some reading on the different discoveries to be
able to explain the principles behind each one.
YOU MAY END SESSION 1 AT THIS POINT.
C. Generalization
1. Connect achievements of scientists to the development of society and of the
country
a. Chemists have contributed to processes that improve the way we live our
lives, e.g. cheaper fabrics and materials because of mass production,
lengthening of shelf life of food, cures for diseases, improvement of health,
development of sports, materials for electronics.
b. Good research contributes to the development of industries, which in turn
contribute to the development of the national economy. A country with its
own technological know-how is not very dependent on other countries for its
survival.
D. Valuing/ Application
Why are Philippine products not very competitive? For example, China produces
very cheap textiles, toys, and even shoes. We cannot do the same because aside from
expensive labor, we do not have petrochemical plants that can produce the raw
materials for these, or the technology to compete in mass production.
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E. Assessment: “Blockbuster Game” (SAS 1-02b)
Students shall choose a letter corresponding to the first letter of a scientist’s name or a
compound invented by a scientist. If answered correctly, they will choose another
letter in the next level continuing in this manner until they have reached the bottom of
the board. If they answer incorrectly, they should choose another letter along the
same row. The student who makes it to the bottom first wins the game.
P
L
M
K
T
R
C
O
B
Z
Note: Questions should be about the lesson. Students are under time pressure
(suggested time: 5 mins). As the question is read, students answer at once and then
immediately choose another letter.)
Sample Questions:
1. P - Who discovered a way to mass-produce the dye that brought the light purple
color to the world?
2. L - Who is known as the Father of Modern Chemistry?
3. M – Who won an award for her research on the use of mold extracts in cheese
production?
4. R – Who is a biotechnologist who developed an efficient way of producing
alcohol from agricultural wastes?
5. T – What plastic is used in “nonstick” pans?
6. B - Who made pioneering researches on oil and their useful products?
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