How Did Advancements in Chemical Technology Lead

to the Development of Chemical Warfare?

By: Hope Melton and Trevor Hammond | Chemistry & History

Before we start!
A few things to cover before you get started.
1. Whenever a google doc is needed it will be provided through a hyperlink in the
text, make sure you make a copy of it and save that copy for your research!
2. Make sure you share all google docs with your fellow researchers (fellow
students) and the journalist (Teachers) you will be completing this research for.
3. Above all this is a research project so make sure you are asking and writing
down questions as you go so that you can answer them as you find more
information through the module.
4. Have fun!
Day Breakdown
Introduction to the Project
Day 1 Start
Day 2 Start
Day 3 Start
Day 4 Start
Day 5 Start
Activating Prior Knowledge and Building Background

If you are reading this then you have answered our job listing for the investigator position
working under our newspaper’s newest journalist. They have been tasked with writing a
article on “how advancements in chemical technology lead to the development of agents of
chemical warfare?” To be able to finish writing this article, they will need a great
investigator to do the background research for them and make a presentation outlining
the key dates, people, and events that the journalist will want to include in their article. We
know that you are up to the task but before we begin let’s see what you already know about
chemical technologies and chemical warfare so we know where the investigation should start!
Day One: Activating Prior Knowledge
When you look at these 6 photos on this slide and the next slide, use the “THINK” section of this graphic organizer to write down
what comes to mind when viewing the pictures. What do you think these images are showing? How are they related? Finish with what
you already know about this topic (“READY” section) that you will be investigating.
Build Background Information

Now that we have established what you will be investigating for our Journalist
and you have started forming some connections and questions, we can provide
you with sources that have been vetted for accuracy and will help you develop a
better understanding of the topic.
Building Background: Haber Process
Watch the video below on the Haber process and work on these guided notes as you
watch.

After watching, reflect on the importance of this chemical advancement to the world.
Building Background: A Brief History of Chemical War

1. Read this article that provides a brief history of Chemical Warfare. Make sure to
continue thinking about connections to knowledge you already have while reading.
2. After watching the video and reading the article go back to your graphic organizer
and complete sections 3 “SET” and 4 “GO” with what you have learned and what
information you think you will still need to gather.
 Revisit the Information
Now that you have begun developing a background for this investigation we need you to go back to your
graphic organizer and insert a few questions you would like to know the answers to in the fifth section
(“WHOA”). If and when you find the answers to these questions you can go back and rewrite the questions as new
information in the fourth section.

Consider the following questions to guide your thinking:

● How did Fritz Haber contribute to chemical technologies?
● How did Fritz Haber contribute to chemical warfare?
● What are some similarities and differences between the common agents of chemical warfare?
● How has chemical warfare changed over time?
Collaborate with Peers
Review your graphic organizer. Record any new information that you have learned in the
“GO” column. Have you answered all questions from the “WHOA” column? Do you have
any new questions? In order to get the job and curate sufficient, quality information to present
to the journalist, you need to identify the most important takeaways from today and questions
that you still need answers to. It will be helpful to collaborate with your fellow investigators.

On the Padlet, summarize the most important new information and post any new questions
that you have. Once you have posted on both columns, review your peers’ posts and reply to
at least one. Start by looking at the “WHOA” questions that they have posed and see if you
can answer any or if you have additional, related questions! You can also add information in
reply to their “GO” post.
Reflect on your Learning
Review the Padlet. Did your peers add any new information? Did
the information they added answer any of your questions or did it
create new questions you want answered? Record any new
information and/or new questions in your graphic organizer.
Extend your Learning
This is all we have for you today, but before you leave we want you to start
thinking about how you will choose to present the information to us for your
final presentation. You can choose to make a timeline, a powerpoint, a
recording, a short research paper, a comic strip, any combination of these
choices, or any other comprehensive format. It is up to you how you want to
present your findings! But remember the job will go to an investigator who
brings their information to the journalist in a complete and compelling format.
Keep your unanswered questions from today in mind because you will need
answers to these questions before you are prepared to present to the journalist.
Day Two: Analyze Sources
What does it mean to be a digital citizen?
Take a moment and think about your answer to this
question, then share your answer on page 1 of the
Jamboard.
What did your peers think? Did they add anything to your
definition of digital citizenship?
Day two: Evaluating sources
Now that you have established a base of
knowledge and have questions you want
answered we need to briefly cover how to
accurately find and dissect sources. Start by
watching this video about evaluating sources.
After you watch the video, go to page 2 of the
jamboard and write three things you learned
or think are important from the video.
Sources
To help you maximize the efficiency of your research we have developed a list of sources
that we think will be useful to you. Read the provided texts on the next slide to curate
information that you will present to the journalist. The texts are organized by topic. Each
text has a graphic organizer that goes along with it to help guide your comprehension. As
you read, remember to evaluate your sources. Have fun exploring the texts and feel free to
talk with your fellow researchers about what you are reading to facilitate your
understanding!
Fritz Haber
To better understand this topic, we will learn more about the man who made this
possible. We learned a little about him yesterday with his famous Haber Process, but
let’s dive deeper!
Fritz Haber is known as the father of both modern crop production as well as
chemical warfare. Visit this document and then listen to this podcast while filling out
the corresponding guided notes sheet. Once you complete this read the article on the
document to learn more about Haber. There are several graphic organizers to help
you make sense of the information as you read. At the bottom of the document, write
any questions you still have about Haber and his contributions to chemical warfare.
Examples of Chemical Weapons
What are the different types of chemical weapons? This text will take you through
examples of chemical weapons and their use in history. Read the infographic and answer
the questions at the end to guide your comprehension.

After that is completed you can learn more about the chemistry of mustard gas and its use
in World War I by reading pages 1-3 of this article. As you read, complete the associated
graphic organizer to help you organize the new information.
The Chemistry of Chemical Weapons
The texts so far have talked about important figures and their contributions to chemical
technology, as well as the most common types of chemical weapons. But how do these
chemical weapons actually work at a chemical level? Read this chlorine gas data sheet to
learn more about the chemistry of chlorine gas. As you read, complete this
graphic organizer. There is an example completed using oxygen to represent air.

After reading, consider: Why do you think we compared a chemical weapon with oxygen?
Reflection
Now that you have learned about the father of chemical warfare as well as the types
of chemical weapons and a few examples of their use let's take a moment and reflect
on what you have learned today that you think you will use in your presentation. You
can add the information you found useful to page 3 of the Jamboard and take a
moment to look at what your peers found as well!
Day Three: Synthesize Claims and Evidence

Now that you have curated information for the journalist, it’s time to start preparing the
information you have gathered for your final presentation! On the Padlet, share which
format you have decided to use for your presentation. You can use any of the options
provided, or come up with your own! Remember to have fun with it!
Preparing the Final Presentation
Now that you have decided on the format for your final presentation, you have the rest of
the day to work on it! Make sure you revisit texts from day 2 as well as your own
questions from day 1 as you synthesize the information. If any of your original questions
about the material haven’t been answered, you should ask your fellow researchers (other
students) or clarify with the journalist (teachers) that you are working for.
Gearing Up for Evaluation
As you work on your presentation today remember that tomorrow you will receive
peer feedback on your presentation. What do you need to complete to be ready for
the peer evaluation tomorrow?

You will also meet with the journalist tomorrow as a check-in before you submit your
presentation. What questions do you have for the journalist?
Preliminary Interview with the Journalist
The journalist expects and needs quality presentations, so you will need to have a
preliminary interview with the journalist to clarify any questions that you still have and
check your progress toward the final presentation. Use this document to sign up for a
timeslot to meet virtually with the journalists.
Day Four: Critically Evaluate and Revise
Upload your presentation to the class document. If you plan on using Google Docs,
make sure to update the sharing settings so that your fellow researchers can
comment on your presentation.
After you submit your presentation, look at the presentation uploaded directly after
yours (if your presentation is the last on the list, you will look at the first
presentation). Use this rubric to evaluate your fellow researcher’s presentation. Make
sure you are following the feedback protocol on the class document. The journalist
will be using this rubric to choose which investigator(s) will be hired!
Self-Evaluation
By this point you should have received feedback from your fellow researchers. You
should have also met with the journalist, who helped you revise your presentation.
Continue using the rubric to evaluate your own progress and prepare for your
presentation tomorrow!
Day Five: Share, Publish, and Act
The time to share your presentation is here! Share your final presentation with the
journalist and your fellow researchers by posting a link on the message board.

After you have shared your presentation look at three other presentations (NOT the one
you peer-evaluated yesterday) and leave a meaningful and constructive comment. This is a
great time to ask your fellow researchers questions about their presentation, elaborate on
information that they have presented, or commend specific techniques that they used.
 Congratulations!

For your thorough research and creative presentation, we have chose to hire
YOU for the investigator position! The journalist now has enough accurate
information to write their article, and they couldn’t have done it without you.