Applications of chemistry in the society for SS 1

Class: SS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 2
Age: 15 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: Chemistry
Curriculum Theme: The chemical world
Focal competence: Applying knowledge of chemistry in everyday life
Key competencies/values: ICT and Digital Competencies; Digital Competencies
Skills:

• Applying the scientific method of observation, hypothesizing experimenting and drawing conclusion in everyday life

Previous Lesson: Chemistry, Introductory Concepts and the Scientific Method
Topic: Introductory Concepts: Applications Of Chemistry In The Society
Subject Matter: Applications of chemistry in the society

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify various applications of chemistry in the society.
• Explain the meaning of chemistry.
• List the steps of the scientific method.

Psychomotor Domain

• Apply the scientific method to carry out simple activities.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of chemistry in everyday life.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable Chemistry textbook for SS 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work For The New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Dictionary
• Mobile phones (for online search)
• Functional computer with Internet facility
• Common objects (e.g., bottles, bottle caps, balloons, feathers, iron nails, etc.)
• Plastic bowls
• Video clips or images showing applications of chemistry

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important as it connects theoretical chemistry concepts to students’ everyday experiences, making the subject more relevant and engaging. Understanding the applications of chemistry helps students appreciate its role in societal development and introduces them to the systematic approach of the scientific method, a fundamental skill in all sciences.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of what science is and some common observations from their environment.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Introductory Concepts: Applications Of Chemistry In The Society

Meaning of Chemistry

Chemistry is the branch of science that studies the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter. It investigates how substances are made, how they interact, and the changes they undergo. Chemistry is often referred to as the “central science” because it connects to other natural sciences like physics, biology, geology, and astronomy.

Applications of Chemistry in Society

Chemistry plays a crucial role in almost every aspect of modern society. Its applications are vast and contribute significantly to human well-being and technological advancement. Some key areas include:

1. Agriculture: Chemistry helps in developing fertilisers to enrich soil and increase crop yields, pesticides and herbicides to protect crops from pests and weeds, and preservatives for harvested produce.
2. Medicine and Health: It is fundamental to the development of new drugs, vaccines, antibiotics, and diagnostic tools. Chemistry also helps in understanding disease mechanisms and improving medical treatments.
3. Food and Nutrition: Chemical principles are used in food processing, preservation (e.g., canning, refrigeration, additives), flavour enhancement, and ensuring food safety. It also helps in analysing the nutritional content of food.
4. Industry and Manufacturing: Chemistry is essential for producing a wide range of materials such as plastics, synthetic fibres (e.g., nylon, polyester), paints, detergents, ceramics, and metals. It drives innovations in manufacturing processes.
5. Energy: The production and efficient use of energy sources like petroleum, natural gas, coal, and renewable energy technologies (e.g., solar cells, batteries) rely heavily on chemical knowledge.
6. Environmental Management: Chemistry provides solutions for pollution control, water purification, waste treatment, and monitoring environmental quality. It helps in developing eco-friendly materials and processes.
7. Building and Construction: Materials like cement, concrete, glass, paints, and adhesives used in construction are products of chemical processes. Chemistry helps improve their durability and performance.
8. Cosmetics and Personal Care: Products such as soaps, shampoos, lotions, perfumes, and make-up are formulated using chemical compounds to achieve desired properties and effects.

The Scientific Method

The scientific method is a systematic approach used by scientists to investigate phenomena, acquire new knowledge, or correct and integrate previous knowledge. It involves a series of steps:

1. Observation: This is the first step, involving careful perception of a phenomenon or problem using the senses or scientific instruments. For example, observing that an iron nail rusts when exposed to air and water.
2. Question: Based on the observation, a question is formulated. For example, “Why does iron rust?” or “What causes iron to rust?”
3. Hypothesis: A testable explanation or educated guess is proposed to answer the question. For example, “Iron rusts because it reacts with oxygen and water.”
4. Experimentation: A controlled procedure is designed and carried out to test the hypothesis. This involves manipulating variables and collecting data. For example, placing iron nails in different conditions (dry air, water only, air and water).
5. Analysis of Data: The data collected from the experiment is examined, organised, and interpreted to identify patterns or relationships.
6. Conclusion: Based on the analysis, a conclusion is drawn about whether the hypothesis is supported or refuted. If the hypothesis is refuted, a new hypothesis may be formed and tested. For example, concluding that both oxygen and water are necessary for iron to rust.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Group Work, Online Search

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Engagement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to mention some everyday items they use or see around them, then asks if they know how these items are made or what they are made of.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils mention items like soap, plastic bottles, medicines, food, etc., and attempt to answer the teacher’s questions.

Learning Point: Activating prior knowledge

Step 2: Meaning of Chemistry

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Inquiry/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to do an online or dictionary search for the meaning of chemistry. After the search, the teacher explains the definition of chemistry and its scope, clarifying basic chemical terms.

Pupils’ Activity: Students use their mobile phones or dictionaries to find the meaning of chemistry and listen attentively to the teacher’s explanation.

Learning Point: Definition of chemistry

Step 3: Applications in Daily Life (Video/Discussion)

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Visual Learning/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to watch short video clips on the applications of chemistry in everyday life (e.g., food preservation, medicine, plastics). After the video, the teacher facilitates a discussion on what they observed.

Pupils’ Activity: Students watch the videos and participate in the discussion, identifying various applications.

Learning Point: Real-life chemistry applications

Step 4: Exploring Specific Applications

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Examples

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher further explains specific applications of chemistry in areas like agriculture, medicine, industry, and environmental management, providing concrete examples for each. The teacher also clarifies observable properties or changes related to these applications.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, ask questions, and take notes on the various applications discussed.

Learning Point: Diverse societal applications

Step 5: Introduction to the Scientific Method

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Concept Introduction

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the concept of the scientific method as a systematic way to solve problems and gain knowledge. The teacher lists and briefly explains the steps: observation, question, hypothesis, experimentation, analysis, and conclusion.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and try to understand the systematic steps involved in scientific inquiry.

Learning Point: Steps of scientific method

Step 6: Applying the Scientific Method (Simple Activity)

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates a simple activity (e.g., observing which objects float or sink in a plastic bowl of water – using feathers, iron nails, bottle caps) and guides students to apply the scientific method by making observations, forming a simple hypothesis, and drawing a conclusion.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the demonstration, suggest hypotheses, and participate in drawing conclusions based on the observations.

Learning Point: Practising scientific method

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is chemistry?
2. Mention three applications of chemistry in society.
3. List the first three steps of the scientific method.
4. How does chemistry help in agriculture?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Assessing lesson understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the meaning of chemistry, its applications, and the scientific method into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording key concepts

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the main points of the lesson, reinforcing the idea that chemistry is integral to daily life and that the scientific method is a powerful tool for understanding the world. The teacher encourages students to observe chemical processes around them.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and reflect on the importance of chemistry.

Learning Point: Consolidating lesson understanding

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Further Reading

Instruction: Research and write a short paragraph on how chemistry contributes to the production of any two items you use daily (e.g., mobile phone, plastic chair, cooking gas, medicine).

1. Choose two everyday items.
2. For each item, identify how chemistry is involved in its production or function.
3. Write a short paragraph (3-5 sentences) for each item.
4. Submit your findings in your chemistry notebook next class.

Lesson Keywords

• Chemistry – The study of matter and its properties, and how matter changes.
• Application – The practical use of something, such as a scientific principle or theory.
• Scientific Method – A systematic approach to inquiry involving observation, hypothesis, experimentation, analysis, and conclusion.
• Hypothesis – A testable explanation for an observation.
• Experimentation – A controlled procedure designed to test a hypothesis.

Differentiation

For students who grasp concepts quickly, encourage them to research a specific chemical industry in Nigeria and present its societal impact. For students needing more support, provide simplified examples of chemical applications and guide them step-by-step through the scientific method activity, perhaps with pre-written sentence starters for their observations and hypotheses.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For videos on applications of chemistry in everyday life, search on YouTube for: applications of chemistry in everyday life SS1 Nigeria