Workshop presented at the ICPAC conference Chemistry: The Key for our Future - July 2-6, 2012 Mauritius. The workshop focusses on 3 areas: • Practical considerations for delivering ‘live’ chemistry • Demonstrations of ‘low tech’ & ‘high tech’ techniques • Practical considerations and funding for implementing schemes The proceedings of the conference have now been published in a book.

1. Mauritius
Chemistry Aid: Unlocking the
Potential for Low-Cost Teaching in
3rd World Countries
A Workshop

2. A Workshop Organised by J Ogunde, A J Rest, and R G Wallace
Educational Techniques Group
Trust ( Royal Society of
Chemistry), Chemistry Video
Consortium and Chemistry Aid
(UK) c/o School of
Chemistry, University of
Southampton, UK

3. The Workshop, which will be in an interactive format, will be divided into three parts:
• A “brain storming” session to develop funding models and sources of funding to
enable the new ideas for teaching Chemistry, for example the use of solar
generators to provide electricity and ICT in rural schools to be implemented in
Developing Countries
• Sharing ideas about how-low cost techniques, for example kitchen
Chemistry, and high-cost techniques such as using multimedia resources can be
used to provide students with “hands-on” experiences of “live” Chemistry so as to
enable them to convert “chalk-and-talk” abstract theoretical teaching into “live”
teaching, to enhance their motivation for Chemistry and improve their
performances in national examinations
• A “hands-on” “swap-shop” session of resources developed by participants to
enable participants to share and experience tried-and-tested resources, for example
Chemical Reactions in Ziploc Bags so as to have confidence in introducing these
resources in their own counties.

4. Structure of the Workshop
• Part 1 - Practical Considerations of delivering "Live Chemistry"
• Part 2 - Demonstration of "Low Tech" and "High Tech" techniques
• Part 3 - Practical Considerations and Funding for implementing schemes
• Part 4 - Conclusions

5. Practical Considerations of delivering "Live Chemistry"
=> break up into small groups to provide answers, especially for rural schools which
do not have electricity and running water

6. Suggested topic for discussion
Problems with Glassware
 Glassware is costly, easily broken, difficult to replace quickly
 National examinations require students to use glassware, e.g. burettes
 Solution = use plastic ware where possible for routine use. This is much more robust
and easily available from supermarkets
 Solution = schools to share equipment

7. Demonstration of "Low Tech" and "High Tech" techniques
=> hands-on session for participants to use techniques brought by ETGT team and
any techniques and materials which delegates have brought themselves

8. Practical Considerations and Funding for implementing schemes
=> break up into small groups to come up with realistic solutions for applying for grants
to implement schemes

9. Suggested topic for discussion
Persuading teachers and administrators to adopt the "High Tech" and "Low Tech“
methods described earlier and funding the costs of schemes to implement changes.
A way of doing this is to use a "Chemistry Bus" to do Road Shows

10. Conclusions
 Ideas from groups put onto flip charts
 Ways ahead
 networking ideas
 news and innovations via Chemistry Aid web site
 participants e-mail addresses
 making use of the RSC Learn Chemistry on-line web site

11. …… to all the participants and the conference organisers