The clock was ticking, we had 30 seconds to neutralize the acid solution with just the right amount of base. My teammate added one more drop of base and the acidic solution turned pink – the sign our solution was neutralized. We did it! My team members and I breathed a huge sigh of relief and gave each other a “high-five.” I’m reliving a moment from a high school chemistry competition — one of my favorite experiences growing up.
When I started teaching chemistry and working on science education programs, I tried to make chemistry, and the other sciences, not only educational, but also fun, exciting, and challenging.
Irina Bokova’s, Director General of UNESCO, video message for the Opening of the International Year of Chemistry (IYC) 2011
This year, students all around the world have the opportunity to experience this sense of wonder and celebrate the International Year of Chemistry (IYC 2011). As Irina Bokora, the Director General of UNESCO, mentions in her video address introducing IYC 2011:
The imagination of every girl and boy is a precious resource. In classrooms, through new communication technologies, by building new partnerships, our aim is to encourage young people to explore the mysteries of chemistry and stimulate their creativity to take us all forward.
Chemistry education provides long term health and environmental benefits for developing countries
Chemistry is a unique field of science because it connects all the other sciences, and as illustrated on the video “Chemistry—our life, our future”, knowledge of chemistry can be used to address larger issues in food security, the environment, and medicine in developing countries.
For example, when a child learns chemistry, they develop skills that can help them understand environmental disasters and the impacts of global change. Allison Anderson mentioned in her blog yesterday that climate change education, which chemistry is a part of, can reduce disaster risk and ensure sustainable development. She writes in her blog:
After learning that mangroves protect coastal areas from storm surge and offset the impacts of climate change, and yet were being cut down for charcoal, students led a community effort to safeguard the mangroves in order to protect their coastal community from disasters. They educated others and successfully led an effort to replant 100,000 mangroves in 7 months.
Learning chemistry is also practical, and we use it in everyday life. You use chemistry in cooking, for agriculture/gardening, and to understand over-the-counter medicines and homemade remedies. Reading and understanding basic science and chemistry provides undeniable long term benefits.
International Year of Chemistry 2011. “Chemistry—our life, our future” www.chemistry2011.org
The IYC 2011 is an initiative started by IUPAC, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, and UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. The initiative offers educational opportunities in chemistry for children all around the world, and celebrates the achievements and contributions of chemistry.
The IYC 2011 aims to:
- Increase public appreciation of chemistry;
- Encourage interest in chemistry among young people;
- And, generate enthusiasm for the creative future of chemistry.
The IYC 2011 website is a great resource to educators and students. It provides numerous resources, activities, and events, such as hands-on experiments, science fair competitions, and international conferences. It’s a central location to find information on chemistry, and a great way to connect with people interested in chemistry from all over the world.
The six goals mapped out in Dakar 10 years ago to achieve Education for All by 2015 include opportunities for children to learn other subjects, such as chemistry. Financing all six of the Education for All goals was one of the key decisions at the FTI board meetings in May 2010 – a perfect opportunity to include chemistry in the curriculum!