Raw Materials –Hands-on Redox Reactions

From green ore to shiny metal – the “Raw Materials: Hands-on Redox Reactions” module makes chemistry tangible in the truest sense of the word. With six complete experimental sets and clear step-by-step instructions, students experience how the green ore malachite is transformed through chemical reactions into elemental copper with its characteristic reddish metallic appearance. The experiment provides an engaging and practical way to introduce redox reactions into chemistry lessons.

But the teaching kit has even more to offer. The accompanying exercise “From Malachite to a Power Cable” develops students’ skills in chemical calculations while also providing an opportunity for interdisciplinary discussion about the changing importance of raw materials over time. The fascinating story of Ötzi’s copper axe, dating back to the Copper Age, provides a historical starting point.

The module is complemented by an additional experiment on iron oxidation, which is also suitable for younger students, as well as a selection of minerals that provide numerous starting points for exploring the broader topic of “Raw Materials – Past and Present”.

In this way, the teaching kit combines fundamental chemical concepts, practical experimentation, and interdisciplinary thinking in a comprehensive classroom unit.