Organic Chemistry
Enzymatic Recycling of PET Plastic
How organic chemistry and enzyme engineering could help recycle polyester plastics.
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Exploring modern scientific research through Grade 12 Chemistry. Five studies on plastics, energy, oceans, batteries, and atoms — summarized, connected to the course, and read through the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations.
Explore The UnitsAboutThis Site
Where does the course actually show up?
Chemistry is not limited to equations and reactions completed in a classroom. The concepts studied throughout this course are used by scientists to solve environmental problems, develop new technologies, improve energy systems, and better understand matter at the atomic level.
Five units, five studies
This website examines five scientific research articles connected to the major units studied in Grade 12 Chemistry: Organic Chemistry, Thermodynamic Chemistry, Chemical Equilibrium, Electrochemistry, and the Quantum Model of the Atom. Each section summarizes a scientific study and explains how its findings connect to concepts learned throughout the course.
The website also examines the moral and ethical responsibilities connected to scientific research. Scientific discoveries can affect human health, the environment, industry, and society. For this reason, the research is also connected to the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations.
Chemistry is not limited to equations and reactions completed in a classroom. The concepts studied throughout this course are used by scientists to solve environmental problems, develop new technologies, improve energy systems, and better understand matter at the atomic level.
This website examines five scientific research articles connected to the major units studied in Grade 12 Chemistry: Organic Chemistry, Thermodynamic Chemistry, Chemical Equilibrium, Electrochemistry, and the Quantum Model of the Atom. Each section summarizes a scientific study and explains how its findings connect to concepts learned throughout the course.
The website also examines the moral and ethical responsibilities connected to scientific research. Scientific discoveries can affect human health, the environment, industry, and society. For this reason, the research is also connected to the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations.
Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectation
OCSGE 7A Responsible Citizen
The Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations, published by the Institute for Catholic Education, are intended to connect student knowledge and skills with values and actions.
The Catholic Graduate Expectation that connects most strongly to the research throughout this website is A Responsible Citizen.
A responsible citizen recognizes that knowledge should be used in ways that contribute to the common good. In chemistry, this means considering not only whether a new technology works, but also how it affects people, natural resources, communities, and the environment.
Throughout the five articles on this website, scientists demonstrate responsible citizenship by investigating plastic recycling, renewable energy, ocean acidification, sustainable battery materials, and atomic-level research that may contribute to improved catalysts and cleaner technologies.
The FiveUnits
Each unit has a dedicated page containing a link to the original article, an abstract, the connections to our curriculum, and the connection to OCSGE 7.
Thermodynamic Chemistry
Solar Thermochemical Hydrogen
How scientists use thermodynamics and solar energy to produce hydrogen more efficiently.
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Chemical Equilibrium
Ocean Acidification
How increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide changes chemical equilibria in the ocean.
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Electrochemistry
Cobalt-Free Lithium-Ion Batteries
How redox reactions and electrolyte design could make rechargeable batteries more sustainable.
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Quantum Model of the Atom
Observing Electron Orbital Signatures
How scientists use advanced microscopy and quantum calculations to study individual atoms.
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References & Scientific Sources
Full citations for every study used across the five unit pages, plus the Institute for Catholic Education framework.