2017 Volume 41 Issue 2 Pages 213-220
Individual experiments based on microscale experiments are an effective method for the improvement of students’ thinking ability. To establish widespread microscale experiments in actual science classrooms from junior high to high school, suitable experimental instruments for electrolysis experiments were developed, characterized by safety, simplified operation and inexpensive cost. We adopted disposable color reaction plates as electrolytic bath, making the most of characteristic microscale experiments and reducing the burdens of teachers involving preparation and clearance. Operation of electrodes using carbon rods was also developed. The present experimental method should make it possible to observe clearly the phenomena, while reaction and execution of the electrolysis for three kinds of electrolyte solution takes place within hours of teaching class in high school chemistry. From a questionnaire and written responses, we found that the present teaching materials using disposable color reaction plates as electrolytic bath have made it possible to stimulate students’ interest and cultivate their scientific ability to think on the basis of individual and short-time experiments.
