A chemistry journey around the world
 

Acclaimed chemistry video is a great teaching tool

Chemistry gives you a new outlook on the world and is a key to understanding what makes your everyday reality work.

Your jacket is more fashionable and practical thanks to synthetic textile fibres (acrylic, polyester and viscose), which also reduce the need for intensive cotton plants. Did you know that they constitute also the sterile bandages and special protective clothes used in hospitals? It is just one of chemistry many contributions to the medicine field (such as chemical antiseptics and single use plastics, crucial to prevent the spread of diseases).

This is just one of the messages in a video developed by the ECPA (European Petrochemical Association) in collaboration with UNESCO and IUPAC called, 'Chemistry: all about you': Gold World Medal for Best PR film by the New York Festivals Awards; Best Consumer Communication at the IVCA (International Visual Communication Agency) Awards and Best Soundtrack at the Cannes Dolphin Corporate Award.

The film speaks to a broad audience, but it is particularly targeted at young people considering their careers. It is as part of a long-term effort to stimulate interest in chemistry studies and the need to shape a sustainable future for our planet. The video is accompanied by teachers’ guidelines to support the development of multimedia lessons and a fresh approach to chemistry teaching. These can be downloaded from the inGenious teacher community and from Chemistry: all about you!, the website on chemistry teaching resources developed by EPCA.

Drawing on references from young people’s universe, the film explains in a visually stunning style the many contributions that chemistry makes to people’s daily needs all over the world: from water to food, clothing, health care, energy, media and communication. And it shows how in an increasingly interconnected world, chemistry provides the building blocks not only for the many commodities of our modern life, but also for the urgent challenges of global development.

The teachers' guidelines are divided in two main parts: the first part offers ideas of lesson plans with a combination of hands-on and debate activities while the second part, modules with all the necessary resources to organise activities in the class.

More guidance on the use of the ECPA videos will be soon provided with a forthcoming chat on inGenious website. Keep following our news!

Hungarians take note. School-industry chemistry activity planned in Budapest 7, October:

  • EPCA and inGenious will meet Hungarian schools on Sunday 7 October in Budapest. Click here to find out more.
  • EPCA will sponsor the Budapest city marathon, school section: visit the ECPA-inGenious stand at this event.
  • EPCA will be in Budapest for its Annual Meeting, a networking platform for the chemical business community and a thought-provoking business session programme with access to top class speakers. This year Dr. Dambisa Moyo, renowned economist for her work on development, will join the summit.

EPCA is a Belgian based international non-profit association providing a networking platform for the chemical business community and a think-tank practice to foster challenging and innovative ideas for the petrochemical industry.

For more info: www.epca.eu