George Eastman, Kodak, and The Birth of Consumer Photography Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)

LESSON PLAN in Physical Properties, History, Periodic Table, Atomic Structure, Chemistry Basics, Ions, Mixtures, ACS National Historic Chemical Landmarks Program. Last updated September 30, 2024.

Summary

In this lesson, students will learn about George Eastman’s contributions to modern day photography, as well as the history and chemistry of photosensitive chemicals through reading an article and engaging in related activities. The activities help promote literacy in the science classroom. This lesson could be easily used as plans for a substitute teacher, as most of the activities are self-guided.

Grade Level

High School

NGSS Alignment

This lesson will help prepare your students to meet the performance expectations in the following standards:

  • HS-PS2-6: Communicate scientific and technical information about why the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of designed materials.
  • Scientific and Engineering Practices:
    • Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

  • Provide a general explanation of the development of photographic film and cameras over time.
  • Explain that silver halides, when exposed to light, react to form images.
  • Share a basic understanding of colloids and emulsions.

Chemistry Topics

This lesson supports students’ understanding of:

  • Physical Properties
  • Mixtures
  • Colloids
  • Emulsions
  • History
  • Periodic Table
  • Ions
  • Photosensitive Chemicals

Time

Teacher Preparation: 10 minutes
Lesson: Approximate times for students to complete each activity in the lesson:

  • Anticipation Guide: 10 minutes
  • Reading: 20 minutes
  • Timeline: 10 minutes
  • Know Your Halogens: 20 minutes
  • Colloid Chemistry: 20 minutes
  • Complex Ions: 10 minutes
  • Writing Exercises: 20 minutes

Materials

  • Reading document and desired handouts to accompany the reading
  • Internet (for possible research)

Safety

  • No specific safety precautions need to be observed for this activity.

Teacher Notes

Background:

Lesson Overview:

The lesson includes multiple components, as outlined individually below. The Reading is essential for all of the activities. Teachers can choose to do one or all of the included activities. Student handouts and corresponding answer keys are provided for each item described below:

  • Activity: Anticipation Guide
    • Have students identify whether they agree or disagree with the ten statements. After they complete the reading, they can adjust their answers and rephrase the “disagree” statements, so they read true.
  • Reading: George Eastman, Kodak, and the Birth of Consumer Photography
  • Activity: Timeline
    • While reading, students will arrange 10 statements in chronological order and note the date of each milestone. If it is helpful, students could cut out each statement and physically rearrange them.
  • Activity: Know Your Halogens
    • Students will use prior knowledge, along with the periodic table, to determine various properties and reactions that involve elements from the halogen family.
  • Activity: Colloid Chemistry
    • Students will learn about the different types of colloids and identify the components in some common household colloids.
  • Activity: Complex Ions
    • In this advanced activity, students will learn about the formation of and nomenclature for complex ions. They will be challenged to determine the names and formulas for several examples.
  • Activity: Writing Exercise
    • Students will respond to a prompt defending the interest in continuing to use film photography in a digital world.
  • Related classroom resources from ACS and the AACT library that may be used to further teach this topic:
  • Other Useful Links