Sasol, the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Catalysis, the University of Cape Town (UCT), and PetroSA have developed a Chemical Industries Resource Pack for teachers and learners. The comprehensive learning kit will be distributed to more than 6,000 Grade 11 and 12 Physical Science teachers through training sessions throughout South Africa. This project aims to bring chemistry alive in the classroom.

 
To make the material accessible, workshops will be held throughout the country. The next set of workshops will be held on 19 July in Langenhoven Hoerskool from 14:00 – 17:00.
 
This is in support of the changes within the Grade 11 and 12 Physical Science curriculum that has been reviewed to include a stronger focus on the role of science in industry, technology and the environment. Learners will now be expected to engage with chemistry in a way that helps them understand its application in the real world.
 
Over the past two years UCT worked extensively with Sasol and other industry leaders on this project by bringing together its scientists and engineers with educators and other academic teams, to document all the chemical processes now included in the chemistry curriculum. The product of this engagement is a Chemical Industries Resource Pack that will provide teachers with material that is comprehensive and relevant. Teachers will be able to teach this new topic with confidence and expose learners to a vital set of industries in South Africa.
 
Having assessed classroom needs through a series of school trials, this comprehensive pack was developed to address those needs. The pack includes:
 
A teacher's guide with classroom activities and accompanying model solutions
A DVD with animations, video footage and chemical process simulations
A school research project with marking rubrics and guidelines on how to use it
A set of exemplar practical investigations
A set of posters of the prescribed chemical industries: the petrochemical industry, the chlor-alkali industry, fertilisers and batteries
A periodic table for classroom display
 

"We have bright minds in science who work at Sasol who continuously seek ways to develop, innovate and improve their methods to produce our range of products. We're delighted to be able to bring that expertise to learners and educators across the country in a way that captivates them," says Pam Mudhray, Group community affairs manager at Sasol.
 
"Working with Sasol on this project has given us a superb opportunity to use our educational and scientific expertise to benefit Physical Science teachers across the country. The Chemical Industries Resource Pack is being extremely well received by teachers who are participating in our workshops," says Associate Professor Jenni Case, academic coordinator of the project.
 
The resource pack and all the material is also available for download at no cost to users at http://www.sasol.com/learners/index.htm
 
Sasol's involvement in this project is part of the group's wider strategy of bringing the International Year of Chemistry (IYC) 2011 to South Africa. IYC 2011, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry initiative, is a global celebration of the achievements and impact of chemistry on societies and offers entertaining, interactive and educational activities for all ages.
 
Through the Chemical Industries Resource Pack project, and numerous other initiatives planned for IYC, Sasol hopes to stir the hearts and minds of students captivated by science and, in particular chemistry, that will see a new generation of scientists breaking new ground and reaching new frontiers.
 
For additional information on teacher training sessions, please contact:
Rene Toerien
rene.toerien@uct.ac.za
Tel: +27 (0) 21 650 5527
Fax: +27 (0) 86 607 0186