Biotechnology and detergents in the teaching of Chemistry

Abstract

This article proposes doing the laundry as a teaching resource to introduce key concepts of chemistry and biotechnology in high school chemistry education. Biotechnology has transformed many aspects of our daily lives. A common household product, the laundry detergent, is chosen in order to analyze the chemical components of detergents, the catalytic action of enzymes, their increased effectiveness in stain removal and the environmental benefits of their use. Additionally, different teaching proposals and hands-on activities for classroom application are presented, fostering the connection between science and sustainability and promoting meaningful and contextualized learning from a green chemistry perspective.