JCE Online Journal of Chemical EducationDivision of Chemical Education, American Chemical SocietyAmerican Chemical Society
 | Subscriptions  | Software Orders  | Support  | Contributors  | Advertisers  | 



  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2007  > February  >
Chemistry for Everyone
(Role) Playing Politics in an Environmental Chemistry Lecture Course
A. Meredith Smythe and Daniel A. Higgins
Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-3701
Cover
February 2007
Vol. 84 No. 2
p. 241
Abstract
Mock congressional hearings are described as an active learning, role-playing activity for the environmental chemistry lecture course. Each student plays dual roles in this activity, alternately serving as a witness and committee member on hearing topics selected by the class. As witnesses, the students assume the roles of scientists, politicians, industrial representatives, and environmental group representatives and present both written and oral arguments for or against a particular issue. At other times, they play the role of congressional committee members and question the witnesses. Hearings are held on topics related to renewable and nonrenewable energy; hazardous waste; water, soil, and air pollution; water quality; and genetic engineering. This activity greatly enriches the educational experience for the students by allowing them to become actively engaged in learning and debating specific issues related to course materials.
More Information
*
Citation
Smythe, A. Meredith; Higgins, Daniel A. J. Chem. Educ. 2007 84 241.
*
Keywords
Environmental Chemistry; public policy debates; role-playing; Second-Year Undergraduate
*
History
Created:
Last Updated:
1/9/2007
1/12/2007
<< Previous Article Table of Contents Next Article >>
  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2007  > February  > Page 241



Chemistry Teacher Connection

The "Chemistry Teacher Connection" (CTC) is especially for high school chemistry teachers. For only $40/year, it offers an online-only subscription to CLIC along with membership in the Division of Chemical Education, normally $65/year. CTC subscribers receive access to all articles and supplements from 1996 through the current issue.
More About CTC
Order the Chemistry Teacher Connection

C&EN CLICs

Through special arrangement with the ACS, JCE High School CLIC is now able to provide subscribers with online access to Chemical & Engineering News articles that have been selected specifically for secondary science instructors and their students. 
 C&EN CLICs

JCE Collections Available
Occasionally, collections of JCE back issues become available for donation to individual teachers, schools, or libraries. JCE matches collections with interested recipients. Recipients pay shipping costs or pick up the collection.
 List of available collections

Contributions Welcome
JCE welcomes your submission
 Contributors's Corner

Subscriptions
 Subscription Info
 Order Forms

Fishing for New Ideas
Always in the
process of
improving, CLIC
welcomes ideas and comments.

Email Us

NSF logoDivCHEDACS ACS PubsFor journals in other fields of chemistry visit ACS Publications.
Comments to
jceonline@chem.wisc.edu		 Copyright © 2008 Division of Chemical Education, Inc., American Chemical Society.
All rights reserved.		  Terms | Privacy