The most difficult part for students will probably be the understanding the relationship between the structure of matter and the properties of matter: what makes a molecule hydrophobic or hydrophilic; how to choose the right solvent for a particular substance, etc. The task for a teacher is to develop students’ understanding that (1) there is a quite sophisticated science behind cosmetics, (2) science knowledge can contribute to the production of better products, and (3) there are always a number of pros and cons of industrial as well as home-made cosmetics.
Overall aims/competencies: The students are expected to be able to:
- Propose ideas as to why we should make cosmetic products ourselves and what are related pros and cons.
- Search for relevant information from the Internet and library resources.
- Critically analyse the ingredients of cosmetic products and make decisions about their quality.
- Understand the general principles behind the ingredients of cosmetic (emulsion) creams; based on his/her scientific knowledge be able to explain what role the ingredients play in the cream and explain their effect on the skin.
- Make an emulsion cream from simple ingredients on their own
- Work as a team in looking for information, analysing, planning the experiment and presenting the product
- Present the product to others in a persuasive manner
- Use the correct terminology related to the topic both orally as well as in written format.
- Use creative thinking in designing the product, the commercial, and making up tests in order to be able to answer whether a self-made product is usable
- Be aware of the careers related to cosmetics industry
The learning content as defined by the syllabus: Hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances, chemical bond, polar and non-polar substances, principles of solubility, emulsion, emulsifier, fats, the structure and functions of skin.
The types of activities: Searching for information from various sources, analysing the ingredients of cosmetic products, designing the product (from idea to implementation and marketing), producing a commercial and presenting it to the class, testing the properties of a product against determined criteria, making a decision on the suitability of the self-made product in place of analogous commercial products.