The Research Box: High 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 (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 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

With the help of the worksheet, learners engage with the content of a film in a structured manner before, during and after viewing it in order to develop a deeper understanding and to reflect on and transfer what they have seen.

Content and methods: 

The worksheet begins by testing prior knowledge of the film. While watching, the pupils complete multiple-choice tasks to actively engage with and consolidate their understanding. After the film, transfer tasks are used for further processing and reflection on the topic.

Skills:

• Activating and building on prior knowledge
• Concentrated extraction of information from a visual medium
• Analysis, reflection and transfer of film content

Target group and level:

Grade 7 and above

Students learn to analyze information from various digital sources and link it logically in order to draw conclusions.

Content and Methodology: The worksheet offers an interactive puzzle task based around a found smartphone. The students analyze chat histories, pictures and an audio file to identify the owner of the smartphone.

Skills:

• Critical analysis of texts and media
• Logical thinking and reasoning
• Understanding historical and/or scientific contexts

Target Audience and Level: Suitable for teaching at lower secondary level.

Create a worksheet about a chemical element in which the students work on a fact sheet about the element.