This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Most people learn about splitting water molecules in a dry, boring lecture or a small picture in an old, fading textbook. Of course, most people hate chemistry class. Electrolysis will be one of the most important reactions of our time, and I believe kids can only really learn about it by doing it.
My students live and learn in one of Virginia's largest cities.
They are very bright, but they lack confidence in their abilities as scholars. Many of them struggle with reading and math. It is a challenge to get them to do their homework. Many of them just aim for a passing grade, regardless of their vast potential. However, I have seen them do amazing work when they sit up and engage in the lesson. When I find a question that really puzzles them, they light up and put their minds to work.
I've learned that my students demand lessons with clear relevance to their lives if they are to engage in the learning process. They need structure, discipline, and pressure to succeed. They also need their teachers to help them make knowledge concrete rather than abstract. Chemistry cannot, must not, be abstract; it must be experiential, tactile, and real.
My Project
I am requesting 10 electrolysis kits. Each kit consists of a small plastic tub with built-in electrodes. Fill the tub with a saltwater solution, cover the electrodes with test tubes, and voila!
Electrolysis uses electricity to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen gas. If the equation is properly balanced, twice as much hydrogen is produced as oxygen. With this simple apparatus, the equation takes on a real, physical meaning.
Stoichiometry becomes so much more than a bunch of math and chemical symbols on a piece of paper. Add a few drops of an indicator solution, and suddenly you're not just learning about electrons and chemical reactions, you're learning about acids, bases, and redox. Collect the gases formed, and you get a thrilling demonstration of the conservation of energy! This apparatus can be used over and over again throughout the chemistry course, and it never gets old. It is a powerful way for students to anchor their learning in a simple, concrete phenomenon.
Electrolysis of water will be one of the most important chemical reactions of this century.
With fossil fuels dwindling the world will turn to alternative fuels. Hydrogen fuel cells to create electricity will become commonplace. The chemistry course is in no small part about getting students ready for a standardized test. However, it should also be about developing a love of science, math, and engineering and preparing our students for the jobs of the future.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Marshall and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
