The Secrets of Milk

Objective: This worksheet uses the cooperative learning method known as the “group puzzle” to teach complex concepts in chemistry and atomic physics. The goal is for students to gain a deep understanding of the selected topic through self-directed learning and peer teaching.

Content and Methods: The content is taught using a structured five-phase model that combines cooperative and independent learning: In home groups, each member takes on a specific subtopic, which is then explored in a subsequent “expert phase” in groups of students with the same subtopic, using informational texts and in-depth tasks. Afterward, the students return to their core groups, share their knowledge with one another, and consolidate their findings together before moving on to a cooperative work phase in which they solve complex tasks that can only be mastered by combining all the individual aspects. The process concludes with a joint evaluation in a plenary session and a reflection on the learning process.

Competencies:

• Subject-Specific Competence: Acquiring in-depth knowledge of a topic in chemistry
• Social Competence: Fostering teamwork and communication skills through the “expert” model
• Methodological Competence: Applying cooperative learning methods to independently process information and convey knowledge
• Transferability: Applying expert knowledge to hypothetical scenarios, such as the discovery of new elements

Target Audience and Level: High School

Objective: This worksheet explores the electrochemical fundamentals of galvanic cells and how a lemon battery works in the context of modern, sustainable technology development. Students take on the role of a startup research team to experimentally and ecologically evaluate the suitability of a lemon as an environmentally friendly electrolyte, as well as the efficiency of various electrode pairings.

Content and Methods: The content is taught by combining theoretical fundamentals, experimental data collection, error analysis, and sustainability assessment: First, students explore the structure and functioning of electrochemical cells as well as the underlying redox reactions. They then test their hypotheses in an experiment, document measurement data, and analyze typical sources of error in the laboratory. Finally, they evaluate the performance and sustainability of various materials before summarizing their results in a technical report and a persuasive presentation.

Competencies:

• Technical Competence: Understanding of redox reactions, electrode potentials, and the role of electrolytes in generating electrical power
• Data Analysis: Conducting quantitative electrochemical measurements, systematically comparing variables, and identifying sources of methodological error
• Evaluation Competence: Balancing maximum technical performance with environmental factors (extraction, recycling, toxicity) in the context of sustainable chemistry
• Communication skills: Targeted, audience-oriented presentation of laboratory data for a business analysis or an investor pitch

Target audience and level: Middle School

Objective: The glossary serves to systematically document terminology and knowledge in this subject area. The goal is to foster a solid understanding of key technical terms and to develop the ability to apply them in professional contexts and visually connect them.

Content and Methods: The content is conveyed through precise definitions and the application of that knowledge: First, key technical terms are explored. Learners then deepen their understanding by visually representing relationships in a concept map and by independently writing a text using technical terminology that incorporates the terms they have learned.

Competencies:

• Subject-matter expertise: Proficient use of chemical nomenclature and understanding
• Methodological skills: Ability to organize complex information using concept maps
• Language skills: Writing texts that are linguistically accurate in technical terms to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the subject matter

Target audience and level: Grades 7 and above

Objective: This worksheet uses a fictional criminal case to introduce students to the basics of nuclear chemistry and atomic structure in a playful way. Students examine β⁻ decay using the example of an isotope and learn to quantitatively determine atomic composition and radioactive decay processes based on atomic and mass numbers.

Content and Methods: The material is taught by combining contextual learning, tabular particle analyses, and mathematical methods for describing radioactive processes. The starting point is a fictional case file in which a laboratory investigation is used to develop fundamental questions about nuclear transformations and radiation. Building on this, the isotopes are analyzed in terms of their proton, neutron, and electron counts, and nuclear reaction equations and the principle of β⁻ decay are explored. This is supplemented by a quantitative evaluation of radioactive decay using half-life calculations to determine residual amounts and sample age, before students assess their understanding in a short, summary exit ticket.

Competencies:

• Subject-specific competence: Distinguishing between basic physical and chemical concepts (isotope, atomic number, mass number) and classifying nuclear transformations
• Scientific inquiry: Mathematical modeling of decay processes using half-life functions and deriving nuclear reaction equations
• Communication and Explanation Skills: Simplifying complex atomic processes to suit the audience

Target Audience and Level: Middle School

Objective: The worksheet is structured as a motivating chemistry puzzle (based on the escape room concept). Students assist a professor in the lab in deciphering the mixed-up labels of three unknown liquids/substances (samples A, B, and C) using systematic, experimental identification tests.

Content and Methods: The activity combines theoretical preliminary considerations, experimental analysis, and cooperative quality assurance to investigate various classes of substances in aqueous solution. Students compare solutions/substances, formulate hypotheses about particle behavior, and analyze the samples through experiments. The results are reviewed as part of a peer-review process and subsequently theoretically justified through transfer tasks at the particle level.

Competencies:

• Subject-specific competence: Applying knowledge of substance properties to identify unknown substances
• Knowledge Acquisition: Independently sketching and labeling experimental setups, as well as implementing a qualitative analysis strategy
• Media Competence: Approaching scientific problems
• Language Competence: Formulating a logically consistent detective report using specialized chemical terminology

Target Audience and Level: High school

Objective: The worksheet is structured as a motivating chemistry puzzle (based on the escape room concept). Students assist a professor in the lab in deciphering the mixed-up labels of three unknown liquids (samples A, B, and C) using systematic, experimental identification tests.

Content and Methods: The content is conveyed by combining a digital problem-solving task with qualitative identification experiments: Guided by an audio guide, students gather relevant information and examine the unknown liquids for their solubility, acid-base and redox behavior, and evaporation properties. The results are systematically documented in a lab report and subsequently used to identify the substances in a scientifically grounded final report.

Competencies:

• Subject-Specific Competence: Applying knowledge of material properties (solubility, pH, acid-metal reaction) to identify unknown substances.
• Knowledge Acquisition: Independently sketching and labeling experimental setups, as well as implementing a qualitative analysis strategy.
• Media Competence: Using digital learning elements (QR codes/audio) to approach science-related problems.
• Language Competence: Writing a logically consistent detective report using specialized chemical terminology.

Target Audience and Level: Middle School

Students playfully immerse themselves in the world of trees, solve puzzles, and identify different tree species in order to find a “forest treasure” and break a “curse.”

Content and Methods:

In an escape room scenario, students solve various puzzles related to tree species. They must identify trees based on descriptions, fill in gaps in texts, evaluate statements about trees as true or false, and classify trees as deciduous or coniferous. The worksheet also encourages students to document the trees they find, e.g., through photos or drawings.

Skills:

• Knowledge of tree species
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving
• Reading comprehension and text analysis
• Classification and categorization

Target audience and grade level:

Grade 5 and up

Objective: This worksheet aims to provide students with a basic understanding of genetic engineering and to facilitate a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages, particularly as they relate to fruits and vegetables.

Content and Methods: It explains the basics of genetic engineering and its applications (medicine, agriculture, research). The focus is on genetic engineering in fruits and vegetables, its advantages (pesticide resistance, productivity, nutritional value, climate adaptation), and concerns (environment, health, acceptance, costs). Methods include a prior knowledge assessment, multiple-choice questions, open-ended questions, and expressing an opinion in letter form.

Competencies:

• Reading comprehension of scientific texts
• Critical thinking about biotechnology
• Argumentation and written expression skills

Target audience and level: Spanish learners at B1 level

ESD:

• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Exploring climate adaptation
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): Raising awareness of biodiversity conservation

Students investigate how artificial intelligence is transforming a specific field, gaining an understanding of both the benefits and challenges of AI. The goal is to develop critical awareness of AI’s capabilities, ethical issues, and the ongoing need for human judgment in decision-making.

Content and Methods:

The worksheet guides students through an exploration of AI in a specific field by examining real-world examples. Students analyze ethical concerns. Methods include comprehension questions, multiple-choice tasks, comparison of benefits and risks, open-ended reflection questions, and a short argumentative essay about AI’s role in that field.

Competencies:

• Understanding technological applications of AI in a real-world professional field
• Critical evaluation of the benefits and risks of AI in that field
• Ethical reasoning about data privacy, bias, and human–machine interaction
• Analytical thinking about the balance between AI capabilities and human expertise
• Argumentative and reflective writing skills

Target Group and Level:

Grade 8 and up.

With the help of the worksheet, learners engage with a film in a structured way in order to develop a deeper understanding and to reflect on and transfer what they have seen.

Contents and methods: 

The worksheet is structured like a brochure and asks questions about the content and further questions about the film. The worksheet ends with a personal evaluation of the film.

Skills:

• Concentrated extraction of information from a visual medium
• Analysis, reflection and transfer of film content

Target group and level:

Grade 7 and above