Chemical Education Journal (CEJ), Vol. 10, No. 2 /Registration No. 10-14/Received May 21, 2008.
URL = http://chem.sci.utsunomiya-u.ac.jp/cejrnlE.html

Development of Microscale Chemistry Experimentation for Secondary School Students in Malaysia (Form Five)

Mashita Abdullah¹, Norita Mohamed*¹, and Zurida Ismail²

e-mail: mnoritausm.my, noritamohamedyahoo.com

Abstract
Microscale chemistry involves conducting experiments using significantly reduced quantities of chemicals and miniature labware. Students' exposure to potentially toxic chemicals and the probability of fire explosions are also greatly reduced. This article presents the development of microscale chemistry experimentation for the Malaysian Form Five Chemistry syllabus focusing on several experiments involving rates of reaction, ethanol and ester preparation, oxidation and reduction reactions, exothermic and endothermic reactions and soap preparation. Comparisons between the traditional (macroscale) and microscale experiments in terms of amount of chemicals used, amount of chemical waste produced and time savings are highlighted.

Body of the paper

• Introduction
• Development of the Experimentation
• Comparisons between traditional (macroscale) and microscale experiments
• Conclusions
• References