NSS Understanding and Interpreting the Chemistry Curriculum Sophia Cheng 2 November 2009 Curriculum framework

Development of NSS curriculum reform

4 1st consultation exercise (Oct 04 – May 05) - implementation schedule, no. of subjects… 2nd consultation exercise (Jun 05 – Jan 06) - curriculum framework… 3rd consultation exercise (Sep – Nov 06) - public examination, SBA… Consultation for New Senior Secondary Academic Structure

5 “334” Web Bulletin

6 Organization of NSS Curriculum Four core subjects: Chi, Eng, Math, LS ~45-55% + + Two to three elective subjects (2-3X) ~20-30% Other Learning Experience (OLE) 15-35%

7 Elective subjects in Science Education KLA Biology Chemistry Physics Integrated Science Combined Science Chemistry part Physics part Biology part

Learning targets of NSS Chemistry curriculum

9 Learning Targets Knowledge and Understanding Values and Attitudes Skills and Processes

10 Learning targets Knowledge and understanding  Phenomena, facts, principles, concepts, laws and theories  Vocabulary, terminology and conventions  Applications of chemistry  Scientific investigations

11 Learning targets Skills and processes  Scientific thinking, scientific method and problem solving  Scientific investigation, practical Scientific investigation, practical  Decision making, information handling  Communication, collaboration  Learning and self-learning

12 Learning targets Values and attitudes  Curiosity and interest in science  Awareness of limitations of science  Awareness of the impact of chemistry  Commitment to safe practices  Appreciation of interrelationship of science and other disciplines  Appreciation of importance of life-long learning

Curriculum framework

14 Structure of the curriculum Compulsory part (198 hours)  12 topics, compiled with fundamental chemistry knowledge, principles, concepts and scientific process skills

I. Planet earth8 hours II. Microscopic world I24 hours III. Metals22 hours IV. Acids and bases27 hours V. Fossil fuels and carbon compounds 20 hours VI. Microscopic world II8 hours VII. Redox reactions, chemical cells and electrolysis 26 hours Compulsory Part (Total 198 hours) VIII. Chemical reactions and energy 9 hours IX. Rate of reaction9 hours X. Chemical equilibrium 10 hours XI Chemistry of carbon compounds 27 hours XII Patterns in the chemical world 8 hours

16 Structure of the curriculum Elective part (26 hours x 2)  Select any 2 out of 3 topics  In-depth treatment or extension of certain areas of the compulsory part Investigative study (20 hours)  Design and conduct a first-hand investigation

17 Elective Part (Total 52 hours) XIII. Industrial chemistry26 hours XIV. Material chemistry26 hours XV. Analytical chemistry26 hours

18 Activity Refer to chapter 2 of C&A guide Students should learnStudents should be able to a.The atmosphere  composition of air  separation of oxygen and nitrogen from liquid air by fractional distillation  test for oxygen  describe the processes involved in fractional distillation of liquid air, and understand the concepts and procedures involved  demonstrate how to carry out a test for oxygen a.The ocean  composition of sea water  extraction of common salt and isolation of pure water from sea water  tests to show the presence of sodium and chloride in a sample of common salt  test for the presence of water in a sample  electrolysis of sea water and uses of the products  describe various kinds of minerals in the sea  demonstrate how to extract common salt and isolate pure water from sea water  describe the processes involved in evaporation, distillation, crystallisation and filtration as different kinds of physical separation methods and understand the concepts and procedures involved  evaluate the appropriateness of using evaporation, distillation, crystallisation and filtration for different physical separation situations  demonstrate how to carry out the flame test, test for chloride and test for water

19 The Combined Science Curriculum

20 I. Planet earth8 hrs II. Microscopic world21 hrs III. Metals22 hrs IV. Acids and bases28 hrs V. Fossil fuels and carbon compounds 23 hrs Chemistry Part (Total 135 hours) VI. Redox reactions, chemical cells and electrolysis 26 hrs VII. Chemical reactions and energy 7 hrs Simple investigations are subsumed in the lesson time suggested for each topic.

21 In each topic: Overview- Main theme and major concepts of the topic Learning Objectives and Outcomes - “Students should learn…” & “Students should be able to…” Suggested Learning and Teaching Activities - Activities for developing some of the skills to be acquired in the topic Values and Attitudes- Intrinsically worthwhile values and positive attitudes related to the topic STSE ( Science-Technology-Society- Environment ) connections - Some issue-based learning activities or subjects related to the topic

Curriculum planning

23 Interrelation of the strands in the science education KLA

24 Relationship between Syllabus for Science (S1-3) and the Chemistry Curriculum

25 Teaching sequences of compulsory part

Support and resources

27 Simple investigations Electrolysis of Aqueous Copper(II) Chloride Making Sulphur Dioxide Identification of White Solids What’s Wrong with the Soil in the Flowerbed?

28 Resource Book for Sixth-form Practical Chemistry Alcohol Breath Analyser Isolation of the Essential Oils from Common Spices Calcium Carbonate in Eggshell

29 Exemplars of Learning and Teaching Activities for Sixth-form Chemistry Curriculum Oxygen absorber Determination of vitamin C in processed fruit drinks Extraction of iodine from seaweed Determination of the heat of combustion of alcohols

30 Investigative Study Resource Book A Carbonate Rocket Getting Copper from its Ore Chemical Cells Making Your Own Acid-Base Indicator Salt Content of Snack Foods How to Make It Hot?

31 NSS Chemistry Edblog

32 Website of Science Education Section

33 Basic Laboratory Techniques Department of Chemistry, CUHK

34 Microscale Chemistry Experiments Department of Chemistry, HKBU

35 Professional development programmes for laboratory technicians Scientific Investigation (2007 – 2009) NSS Practical Chemistry (Feb/Jun 2009) Microscale Chemistry Experiments  Dec 2009 Chemistry Laboratory Safety  Mar 2010

36 Financial support Government schools  Expanded Subject and Curriculum Block Grant IMC aided schools  Expanded Operating Expenses Block Grant Non-IMC aided schools  Operating Expenses Block Grant (General domain)  Composite Furniture and Equipment Grant  Consolidated Subject Grant For details: => school administration => financial management)

37 EDBCM No.100/2009 Consolidated Subject Grant (CSG) for non- IMC schools Replace the subject and curriculum grants in OEBG Valid in 2009/10 and 2010/11 school years $3800 per class For the purchase of consumables, learning and teaching materials, education software packages, minor repairs…

38 Thank you! Sophia Cheng

39 Appendix 2 Experimental techniques for the Chemistry Curriculum (English version p ; Chinese version p ) Collection of gases, crystallisation, determination of melting and boiling points, distillation and reflux, filtration, etc……

40 p.58

41 p.68

42 p.41