Chemistry: Reading and Writing the Book of Nature

Many people are convinced that, among other courses taught in schools, chemistry is a difficult and complex subject. This book sets out to introduce chemistry concepts and demystify chemistry showing how it is a major part of our everyday lives. It introduces the readers into the wonderful world of atoms and molecules and chemical reactions whilst showing that chemistry is centrally important but also an emerging science and defines what the practising chemist does. The book also examines curiosity, creativity, fascination, poetry, beauty, and ethics in science.

The concepts of chemistry are to be understood first and then learned. Accordingly, the book presents arguments and suggestions to be considered when teaching chemistry in secondary schools, together with a simple teaching approach so that students can understand and come to appreciate the language of chemistry and its experimental practices.

Originally published in Italian, Chimica leggere e scrivere il libro della Natura was among the finalists of the 2013 Italian Award for popularization of science. The English translation has been sensitively achieved to enable the book to reach young students and teachers of chemistry in a positive way.

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Part One: A fascinating voyage: the world of atoms and molecules: Chemistry: a central science; Atoms and molecules: the language of Chemistry; The world of molecules; Chemistry in action: The reactions; Beyond the molecules: Chemistry and Biology; Part Two: Chemistry: yesterday, today and tomorrow: To read and write; Creativity and beauty; Part Three: Teaching and science: Teaching: what and how to teach; Science today: objectives, implications and limitations