A4 Harnessing chemicals: module summary
All six Applied Science modules explore science used in real workplaces, from the viewpoint of practitioners. The Harnessing chemicals module provides an insight into three vocational areas:
- chemicals for health care
- chemicals to add to food
- chemicals for decoration and protection.
The module includes chemical synthesis and processing in the chemical industry, and the formulation of chemical products.
Possible local contexts might be:
• in a hospital or retail pharmacy
• for household decorating (preparation, cleaning, painting, papering)
• for farming, horticulture or gardening
• to preserve or process food
• for beauty care and hairdressing
• for alternative medicine (homeopathy, aromatherapy, and so on)
• for swimming-pool maintenance, health and safety
The emphasis in this module is on ways of using chemicals which students may meet in their daily lives. Major raw materials and their processing in the chemical industry do feature but do not dominate the treatment. The emphasis is on achieving good quality outcomes of chemical synthesis, analysis, and formulation.
Harnessing chemicals builds on students' work in the GCSE Science course, especially
C1 Air quality
C2 Material choices
C3 Food matters
All six Applied Science modules have in common the five features which we think characterise applied science. The nature of the assessment for the course follows from these features.
1 A cluster of related contexts in which people apply science in their work – but with freedom to adapt to local circumstances
2 Authentic procedures and techniques (adapted as necessary for school laboratories) – ‘where the results matter’
3 Underpinning knowledge, including some big ideas of potential value for progression
4 The framework within which people apply science
• organisations
• employers
• regulators including health and safety
• social context including values
5 Applying knowledge and techniques to solve a practical problem
There are likely to be examples of the use of chemicals in your locality. Food processors, pharmacists, aromatherapists, hairdressers, construction workers, horticulturists, and farmers are just a few of the people who have to learn to use chemicals effectively and safely.
The module will come across to students as more authentic if you are able to organise either visit(s) to organisations that harness chemicals, or to set up visits by practitioners.
See also the Applied Science videos.
