Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Electrochemistry: Introduction

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This stage of the lesson plan is crucial for establishing a solid foundation of understanding of electrochemistry concepts, which are fundamental in both practical and theoretical applications. The main objectives aim to ensure that students can not only memorize but also apply knowledge about cells, redox reactions, and the nature of electric current. The secondary objectives seek to enrich the learning experience by encouraging active student participation and preparing them for challenging situations that require critical thinking and practical skills.

Main Objectives:

1. Enable students to understand the concept of electrochemical cells, identifying their main components and the process of generating electricity.

2. Develop the ability to identify redox reactions and understand the role of electrons and the formation of an electric current.

3. Empower students to differentiate and identify the anode and cathode in an electrochemical cell, relating them to the processes of oxidation and reduction.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage the practical application of theoretical concepts studied at home through interactive activities in the classroom.
2. Promote critical thinking and problem-solving abilities through the analysis of scenarios and experiments related to electrochemistry.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction of this lesson aims to engage students with the theme of electrochemistry, using problem situations to activate prior knowledge and contextualize the importance of studying this subject. The problem situations are designed to stimulate critical thinking and the direct application of the concepts of cells and redox reactions in practical and hypothetical scenarios. The contextualization aims to showcase the relevance of studying electrochemistry, connecting it to real and historical applications that spark the curiosity and interest of students.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine that a researcher needs to find a way to efficiently store renewable energy. What principles of electrochemistry could be applied to develop a sustainable battery and why would it be important?

2. Consider a scenario where an explorer is stranded on a deserted island and needs to signal a rescue ship. He has only a few simple materials like metal clips, vinegar, and copper wires. How could he use these materials to build a small electrochemical cell that could generate enough light to be seen from a distance?

Contextualization

Electrochemistry is not just a theoretical topic but a field of study that has practical applications in our daily lives and significant industrial sectors, such as batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage. Additionally, the history of electrochemistry is full of accidental discoveries and curious experiments, such as the discovery of the Volta battery, which was initially conceived as an experiment to refute the theory that electricity could not be generated by chemical reactions.

Development

Duration: (65 - 75 minutes)

The Development stage is designed for students to practically and interactively apply the electrochemistry concepts studied previously at home. Through the proposed activities, they will have the chance to explore and experiment with electrochemical cells, reinforcing their understanding of redox reactions, identification of anode and cathode, and the movement of electrons. This practical approach not only solidifies theoretical learning but also develops teamwork skills, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Electrochemical Adventure on the Deserted Island

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand in practice the functioning of an electrochemical cell, identifying the processes of oxidation and reduction and the components of the cell.

- Description: Students are placed in the role of scientists who must help an explorer to use simple materials to build a small electrochemical cell capable of generating enough electricity to light up an LED, simulating an SOS signal. The materials kit includes metal clips, vinegar, copper wires, a zinc plate, and an LED.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute the materials kits to each group.

• Instruct students to identify the anode and cathode in the provided materials.

• Ask them to assemble the electrochemical cell, properly connecting the components so that the LED lights up.

• Request students to make notes on the assembly process and what they observe during the experiment.

• At the end, each group should present their findings and explain how the assembled cell works.

Activity 2 - Battery Battle: The Great Race

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop optimization skills and understanding of the principles of electrochemical cells.

- Description: In this activity, students will compete to build and optimize electrochemical cells that can light up a small motor. They will have access to different electrolytic and metallic materials to test their cells' efficiency.

- Instructions:

• Organize the classroom into workstations, each equipped with various electrolytic and metallic materials.

• Explain that the goal is to build the most efficient cell that can power a small motor.

• Allow students to test different combinations of materials to optimize the performance of their cells.

• Monitor the process and offer suggestions as needed.

• At the end, each group tests their cell and the motor, and the results are shared with the class.

Activity 3 - Electrochemical Detectives: The Mystery of the Missing Copper

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply theoretical knowledge of electrochemistry to solve a practical problem and develop argumentation and scientific investigation skills.

- Description: In this detective scenario, students are challenged to solve an electrochemical 'crime' where a student claims that their experiment with copper electrodes has mysteriously gone missing. Students must use their knowledge of redox reactions to solve the case.

- Instructions:

• Explain the scenario of the 'crime' and provide students with the available evidence (such as samples of materials, experiment records, etc.).

• Divide the class into groups and assign each a set of 'suspects' and 'evidence'.

• Groups must use their knowledge of electrochemistry to analyze the evidence and deduce what may have happened.

• Each group prepares a 'defense' explaining their conclusions and how the principles of electrochemistry apply to the case.

• Hold a 'hearing' where each group presents their defense and other teams ask questions.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this feedback stage is to consolidate students' practical and theoretical learning, allowing them to share insights and difficulties encountered during the activities. Through group discussion, students are encouraged to verbalize their understanding, which aids in knowledge retention and identifying areas that may require further clarification. Additionally, this stage provides an opportunity for the teacher to assess the effectiveness of the activities and the level of student comprehension, allowing adjustments to future teaching approaches.

Group Discussion

To start the group discussion, the teacher should gather all students and propose an initial reflection on the activities performed, encouraging them to share their experiences and discoveries. It is important for the teacher to choose an environment conducive to dialogue, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to participate and express their opinions. It is recommended that the teacher use a talking circle model, where each student has the right to speak and everyone else listens, promoting an environment of respect and open dialogue.

Key Questions

1. What were the biggest challenges your group faced when building the electrochemical cell and how did you overcome them?

2. How were the concepts of anode and cathode applied in the practical activities you performed?

3. How can the knowledge gained about electrochemical cells be useful in everyday situations or in science?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of the Conclusion stage is to ensure that students have a clear and consolidated understanding of electrochemistry concepts, integrating theoretical learning with the practical experiences conducted in class. It also aims to reinforce awareness of the importance of studying electrochemistry, showcasing its applications in the real world and preparing students for future academic or professional explorations in the fields of science and technology.

Summary

In the conclusion of the lesson, the teacher should summarize and recapitulate the main concepts addressed about electrochemistry, emphasizing the functioning of electrochemical cells, the processes of redox reactions, the identification of anode and cathode, and the movement of electrons. This summary serves to consolidate learning and ensure that students have clarity about the content studied.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson was designed to connect theory with practice, allowing students to apply theoretical concepts in practical situations and experiments. The activities carried out, from building simple cells to solving an electrochemical 'crime,' were intended to exemplify and solidify the knowledge acquired, demonstrating the relevance of electrochemistry in everyday life and in industrial applications.

Closing

Finally, it is crucial to highlight the importance of electrochemistry in everyday life, such as in the development of energy storage technologies and portable devices. Understanding these principles allows students not only to comprehend the world around them but also to envision future applications and technological innovations in the energy field.