From practical experiments to a directed activity related to text (DART), try these activities for 11–16 year olds to investigate the chemistry of vitamins
In this series of activities, students learn about a range of chemical ideas while investigating vitamins and vitamin supplements. Designed for 11–16 year olds, the resources give students the opportunity to conduct practical experiments, evaluate evidence for claims made about vitamins and engage with a variety of scientific and historical contexts. Stimulate your students to explore:
- The link between vitamin C and scurvy
- The structure and properties of vitamin C and how to test for it
- How vitamins were discovered
- Evidence for vitamin C preventing colds
- Whether vitamin supplements are effective
Each activity includes instructions for students, as well as editable worksheets and resources available for download.
1. Vitamin C and scurvy
Summary
In this directed activity related to text (DART), students read about the effects of scurvy, its historical prevalence among sailors and the discovery of a link between scurvy and vitamin C. The core of the activity is an extract from James Lind’s ’Of the Prevention of the Scurvy’, in which the Royal Navy surgeon describes an experiment conducted in 1747 to compare treatments for the disease.
After reading both texts, students answer a series of questions to check and consolidate their understanding, before considering how Lind could have improved his experiment and whether his conclusion was correct.
2. Testing for vitamin C
Summary
Students conduct a practical experiment to compare the amounts of vitamin C in different fruit juices using a simple test with iodine solution. They then answer questions to reflect on what they have found out and compare their results with the labels on the fruit juice packaging.
The ‘Testing for vitamin C’ worksheet includes extension questions which relate the experiment to the DART, ’Vitamin C and scurvy’, as well as suggestions for further investigations to find out more about vitamin C.
An additional handout, ‘Did you know about vitamin C?’, provides further information about the chemical structure of vitamin C and how it used by the body.
Download the resources
‘Testing for vitamin C’ worksheet
‘Did you know about vitamin C?’ handout
Plan a lesson around this activity
Try this activity as part of a complete lesson plan for 14–16 year olds, measuring the amount of vitamin C in different fruit juices using a simple titration.
3. Catching a cold?
Summary
In this activity, students investigate the familiar claim that vitamin C helps to prevent or treat colds. They read about the work of Linus Pauling during the 1970s and evaluate the data he used to support this claim, identifying weaknesses in the original study and assessing how these might impact the conclusions we can draw from it.
An additional handout, ‘Did you know about Linus Pauling?’, provides background information about Pauling’s life and work.
Download the resources
‘Catching a cold?’ worksheet
‘Did you know about Linus Pauling?’ handout
Plan a lesson around this activity
Discover a complete lesson plan for 14–16 year olds drawing on this activity to examine the evidence behind vitamins and vitamin supplements.
4. A cold survey
Summary
Students carry out a survey to determine whether vitamin C might help prevent colds. After answering the survey for themselves, students collate responses from the rest of the class, as well as responses collected from family and friends if there is sufficient time. They then work through a series of questions to analyse their results, identifying any patterns and drawing conclusions based on the available evidence.
5. Are vitamins a waste of money?
Summary
Students work in groups to consider a range of views on vitamins pills and supplements. They rank four statements according to how strongly they agree with them, and provide reasons for their rankings, before presenting their decisions to the rest of the class. Together, students agree an answer to the question, ‘Are vitamins a waste of money?’, giving evidence in support.
An additional handout, ‘Did you know about Casimir Funk?’, introduces students to the scientist credited with the discovery of vitamins.
Download the resources
‘The pill thrill: are vitamins a waste of money?’ worksheet
‘Did you know about Casimir Funk?’ handout
Plan a lesson around this activity
Use this activity as part of a complete lesson plan for 14–16 year olds, exploring whether vitamin pills work.
6. Key words
Summary
This handout provides information about terms relating to vitamins and the contexts used for these activities. Key words include ‘clinical trial’, ‘deficiency disease’, ‘double blind’, ‘placebo’, ‘RDI or RDA’ and ‘vitamins’.
Downloads
Vitamin C and scurvy worksheet
Editable handout | Word, Size 1.11 mbVitamin C and scurvy worksheet
Handout | PDF, Size 75.41 kbTesting for vitamin C worksheet
Editable handout | Word, Size 1.33 mbTesting for vitamin C worksheet
Handout | PDF, Size 0.13 mbDid you know about vitamin C? handout
Editable handout | Word, Size 1.15 mbDid you know about vitamin C? handout
Handout | PDF, Size 0.18 mbCatching a cold? worksheet
Editable handout | Word, Size 36.37 kbCatching a cold? worksheet
Handout | PDF, Size 45.25 kbDid you know about Linus Pauling? handout
Editable handout | Word, Size 1.2 mbDid you know about Linus Pauling? handout
Handout | PDF, Size 41.7 kbA cold survey worksheet
Editable handout | Word, Size 1.03 mbA cold survey worksheet
Handout | PDF, Size 49.77 kbThe pill thrill: are vitamins a waste of money? worksheet
Editable handout | Word, Size 1.11 mbThe pill thrill: are vitamins a waste of money? worksheet
Handout | PDF, Size 67.78 kbDid you know about Casimir Funk? handout
Editable handout | Word, Size 1.02 mbDid you know about Casimir Funk? handout
Handout | PDF, Size 45.6 kbKey words handout
Editable handout | Word, Size 1 mbKey words handout
Handout | PDF, Size 33.62 kb
Additional information
This activity was originally part of the Contemporary Chemistry website, compiled and published in 2004 with V. Kind’s Contemporary chemistry for schools and colleges.
Contemporary Chemistry
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Vitamins and the chemistry behind them
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