Lifelong Learning Programme

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Experiences

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TEACHERS EXPERIENCES FORM

Title of the Experience
Polar and nonpolar liquids
Name of the teacher
Marieta Condrea
Country where it took place
Romania
School typology
High Secondary School
Thematic Area
Biology
Experience typology
Teaching in class, Laboratory
Type of contact
Direct
Description of the Experience
Experiments motivate students because they allow them to take responsibility for what they do. Engaging students in simple experiments are rewarding; experiments are very explicit, clear and accessible; they engage students body and soul. One of my favourite experiments is the one which highlights solubility—polar and nonpolar liquids. You need a plastic bottle, alcohol, paint thinner, food coloring (blue) and water. Ask students to pour the materials into the bottle as follows: about half of the total volume should be paint thinner, a fourth rubbing alcohol, and a fourth water (leave some space at the top because the materials will expand. Ask students to add food coloring to create the desired color and tape the lid on the bottle to prevent spills. Let students shake the bottle vigorously to see if they can make the contents stay mixed. Keep the bottle on your desk throughout the year for a great reminder of an important concept.
Explain to students what happened: a polar liquid (water) will not mix with a nonpolar liquid (paint thinner). Food coloring mixes with the alcohol and water.

Comments on this Teachers Experience

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Date: 2014.10.16

Posted by Darina Tatarlieva (Bulgaria)

I like this practice, because it described in details, which makes it easy to understand and implement. I think one of the main weaknesses of Bulgarian education is the lack of experimental and laboratory work with students. I would use this practice in my teaching because it is simple, does not require a lot of specific materials or particular laboratory space - it can be also done in class.

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