How to Allocate the Chemistry Curriculum Between Science and Society

Abstract

Chemistry curricula as a whole, or single lesson plans can use different approaches towards the learning of chemistry. Some are arranged parallel to academic chemistry; others provide meaningful contexts to motivate the learning of chemistry. Chemistry curriculum approaches can stem from the structure of the discipline, or history of chemistry, via everyday life contexts, industrial applications, or environmental issues, towards socio-scientific issues. This chapter suggests that every chemistry curriculum and even every single lesson plan uses one of these approaches. Each approach has a different justification, each one has different potential for promoting a certain set of objectives. One has to be aware, that by selecting one of the approaches the curriculum also gives the learner a certain emphasis towards chemistry. An overview about the different objectives and justifications is given to provide a range of possibilities for structuring chemistry curricula.