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Was ist das Seltene an den Seltenen Erden?: Eine chemiedidaktische Reflexion
Author(s) -
Reiners Christiane S.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
chemie in unserer zeit
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.217
H-Index - 24
eISSN - 1521-3781
pISSN - 0009-2851
DOI - 10.1002/1521-3781(200104)35:2<110::aid-ciuz110>3.0.co;2-t
Subject(s) - rare earth , adjective , subject (documents) , relevance (law) , philosophy , psychology , linguistics , chemistry , political science , computer science , mineralogy , noun , library science , law
One of the main questions of science education is the selection of subjects, i.e.: Why do certain chemical subjects have to be taught? The answer implies the proving that the subject is scientifically relevant, has exemplifying features and is significant in every‐day‐life. The subject‐matter „Rare Earths” does not seem to correspond to these criteria at first glance. The adjective „ rare” evokes rather opposite associations. Perhaps rare earths are rare on earth and consequently of less scientific relevance? Perhaps they have rare properties and are therefore less exemplifying? Or they are even not relevant in our every‐day‐life? Definitely they are rare teaching subjects. At second glance the rare earth elements do correspond to the criteria and there are good reasons for including the topic in teacher education.