Introduction

This module focuses on the chemistry of one particular environmental problem, and that is ozone depletion caused in part by the uses of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). While most of the readings center around this one issue, the activities allow the students to explore other aspects of environmental chemistry as well.

This module teaches macromolecular science by profiling three scientists: Mario Molina, Susan Solomon, and James Francisco. In addition to macromolecular concepts, the module is designed to reinforce general chemistry concepts whenever possible. For example, chemical reactions, catalysis, and molecular structure are central to the module. Additional concepts are discussed in the Teacher's Guides to individual readings and activities.

The common thread joining all three scientists is that they all conducted research related to the issue of CFCs and ozone depletion. Mario Molina first alerted the world to the dangers of CFC-catalyzed ozone depletion. Susan Solomon carried out work in Antarctica to verify that Molina's predictions were coming true. Finally, James Francisco works to ensure that the materials which replace CFCs are environmentally safe before they are put into use.

Time

This module can be used over a variety of time frames, depending on what your particular curriculum and class schedules permit. You may choose to spend anywhere from a few days to several weeks covering polymer chemistry using the material presented here.

Feel free to use as many or as few of the readings and activities in this module. Some maybe better suited to some classes than others, and there are certainly more activities in this module than most teachers will be able to use in the amount of time allowed by the constraints of a real curriculum and schedule. You need not use all the material in the module. More than enough material was purposefully included to allow teachers maximum flexibility when using the module.

Categories

The module contains four sections: Readings, Hands-On Activities, Challenge Activities, and Tutorials. The Challenge Activities section includes those activities that are more oriented toward pencil-and-paper work than actual laboratory investigation. These are designed to probe how well students can think and use what they have learned, not just their memories. In addition, some challenge the students to learn more about polymers and polymer chemistry through independent research, picking up where the readings leave off. Several of the Hands-on Activities and the Challenge Activities can be used for assessment, and include assessment rubrics for this purpose.

Navigating the module

The links in this module are color coded. Green links within the text lead to other pages in this module, while brown links link to glossary definitions for the highlighted words. Links to other websites are listed at the bottoms of pages, and these links are included in the teacher pages as well because they often contain background information which instructors may find useful. Clicking one one of these links will open a new copy of your Web browser.

Teacher's guides

Every student page has an accompanying teacher's guide page which describes the purpose of the page in the greater scheme of teaching environmental chemistry, and suggestions on how best to use thepage. In addition, the teacher's guides contain information on how each page serves to meet the National Science Education Standards.

For some activities we have provided student answers in the teacher's guide. To prevent students from cheating, these answer pages have been password protected. We make the password available to all teachers at no cost. If you are a teacher, you may obtain a password by e-mailing us at webmaster@chemheritage.org from an e-mail account on a school server. You can also obtain the password by writing to us on your school's letterhead stationery at:

Education Services
Chemical Heritage Foundation
315 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106