Chemedian's Comic Book and Teacher Resource

A strong central character was developed in comic format as part of a pilot project with the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). This character, the Chemedian, is a fun loving and engaging impish character, who has been designed to counter traditional negative stereotypes of chemists. She is young (11 years old), female, rebellious and non-conformist. She belongs to a group of beings that control chemistry and make sure the world works the way we expect. The pilot project found that children were able to draw on previous experience to explain the changes in materials caused by the central character. This comic was also well received by teachers, who commented on its novelty and its ability to engage reluctant readers. The comic format offers a creative approach to support chemistry teaching in primary schools that focuses on cross-curricular links with literacy. The project, therefore, draws on a popular cultural form but contains controlled, curriculum linked content. A bespoke comic book containing 10 comic adventures (9 new adventures plus the existing adventure - The Chemedian and the Crazy Football Match) will be created together with associated teaching resources. The first page of the existing comic is included at the end of the case for support to provide an example of the type of material that will be produced for this project. The project team have a number of ideas for storylines, many of which draw on the team's current research activities. For example, our research on unconventional computing involves materials which change colour. A story themed around colour change could involve The Chemedian going back in time to the land of the dinosaurs. She discovers that the landscape is largely red limestone. As she is wearing blue clothing, she sticks out as easy prey for passing dinosaurs. To avoid being eaten, she uses vinegar to change her cloths to red. This simple acid/base titration experiment is easy to mimic in the classroom using natural indicators such as red cabbage. Another example involves our research on sensor science, in which we are investigating sniffer bees. These could feature in a comic where bees help the Chemedian locate a gas leak. This could be followed up with hands on activities relating to smells. Ideas for storylines (both the science and the adventure aspects) will be developed in consultation with primary school children and teachers to ensure their appeal. All will be memorable humorous treatments of key concepts. Each of the 10 comic adventures will be accompanied by a detailed teachers' resource containing and explanation of the chemistry concepts explored in the comic, including specific links to the National Curriculum for Science, and suggestions for activities to support and extend learning about these concepts in both science and literacy lessons. The comic book will primarily focus on the three materials units in the KS2 curriculum: grouping and classifying materials changing materials separating mixtures of materials. By covering all three materials units, the comic book could be used throughout the KS2 curriculum. Thus, children would be exposed to the character and comic format on repeated occasions during KS2. This has the advantage of clearly linking the three units together as well as building on earlier work.