Pro/Con Debate

This worksheet aims to raise students’ awareness of the mechanisms, economic dimensions, and psychological strategies of modern digital marketing in everyday life.

Content and Methods: The material focuses on the economic significance of social media marketing based on statistical data, as well as the analysis of specific digital posts. Methodologically, the worksheet relies on a combination of practical case studies—in which an exemplary social media post is deconstructed both textually and statistically—and theoretical insights into behavioral economic effects. In addition, the material encourages multi-perspective discussion through reflective writing assignments and the comparison of contrasting stakeholder perspectives. Finally, the discussion of complex issues is used to synthesize what has been learned into the formation of independent judgments.

Competencies:

Analytical and Deconstructive Competence: The ability to systematically examine media content and linguistic and statistical devices for their manipulative or promotional effects

Reflective and Critical Thinking Competence: The ability to critically examine one’s own consumer behavior and evaluate economic phenomena from different perspectives

Media and Economic Competence: Understanding of digital market mechanisms, psychological influence strategies such as the authority bias or the bandwagon effect, and their impact on the economy

Target Audience and Level: 9th/10th grade

Objective: This workbook explores a historical and materials-science phenomenon: the production of casein, an early milk-based bioplastic. Students work as a team of researchers to investigate how the organic components of liquid cow’s milk can be transformed into a solid plastic through the action of acid.

Content and Methods: The content is conveyed through a combination of historical contextualization, experimental laboratory work, and material analysis: Starting with the question of how a solid material can be produced from milk, students explore the composition of milk and the effect of acids on proteins. They then experimentally extract casein, document the course of the reaction, and examine the properties of the resulting bioplastic. Finally, the results are used in a scientific application to evaluate the historical significance and material properties of casein as an alternative to plastic.

Competencies:

• Technical expertise: Understanding of protein denaturation (acid precipitation of milk protein/casein) and the classification of galalith as a historical bioplastic
• Knowledge acquisition: Planning, conducting, and systematically documenting a preparative organic chemistry experiment (filtration, solid isolation)
• Materials and testing skills: Criteria-based analysis of the physical properties of a self-produced solid
• Argumentation and language skills: Writing a technically sound report using precise scientific explanations

Target audience and level: Middle school

Objective: This worksheet explores the electrochemical fundamentals of galvanic cells and how a lemon battery works in the context of modern, sustainable technology development. Students take on the role of a startup research team to experimentally and ecologically evaluate the suitability of a lemon as an environmentally friendly electrolyte, as well as the efficiency of various electrode pairings.

Content and Methods: The content is taught by combining theoretical fundamentals, experimental data collection, error analysis, and sustainability assessment: First, students explore the structure and functioning of electrochemical cells as well as the underlying redox reactions. They then test their hypotheses in an experiment, document measurement data, and analyze typical sources of error in the laboratory. Finally, they evaluate the performance and sustainability of various materials before summarizing their results in a technical report and a persuasive presentation.

Competencies:

• Technical Competence: Understanding of redox reactions, electrode potentials, and the role of electrolytes in generating electrical power
• Data Analysis: Conducting quantitative electrochemical measurements, systematically comparing variables, and identifying sources of methodological error
• Evaluation Competence: Balancing maximum technical performance with environmental factors (extraction, recycling, toxicity) in the context of sustainable chemistry
• Communication skills: Targeted, audience-oriented presentation of laboratory data for a business analysis or an investor pitch

Target audience and level: Middle School

Students playfully immerse themselves in the world of trees, solve puzzles, and identify different tree species in order to find a “forest treasure” and break a “curse.”

Content and Methods:

In an escape room scenario, students solve various puzzles related to tree species. They must identify trees based on descriptions, fill in gaps in texts, evaluate statements about trees as true or false, and classify trees as deciduous or coniferous. The worksheet also encourages students to document the trees they find, e.g., through photos or drawings.

Skills:

• Knowledge of tree species
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving
• Reading comprehension and text analysis
• Classification and categorization

Target audience and grade level:

Grade 5 and up

Objective: This worksheet aims to provide students with basic information about a country as a travel destination and to enable them to talk about their own vacation experiences.

Content and Methods: It describes the geography, climate, sights, and the importance of tourism within the country. Methods include reading comprehension, true/false questions, and a structured writing task about the students’ own vacations.

Competencies:

• Reading comprehension
• Geographical knowledge
• Written expression

Target Audience and Level: Spanish learners at A1 level

Objective: This worksheet aims to help learners understand the pros and cons of a particular profession and prepare them for a job interview.

Content and Methods: A text describes the profession, including its advantages and disadvantages. A dialogue scenario for a job interview serves as a basis for learners to practice in a role-play. Detailed role cards provide guidance on emotions and goals. A checklist supports preparation for the job application.

Competencies:

• Vocational knowledge: Understanding the requirements of the profession
• Communication: Preparing for and conducting a job interview
• Self-reflection: Reflecting on one’s own abilities

Target group and level: Spanish learners at A2 level

Objective: This worksheet aims to familiarize students with linguistic diversity in Spanish. It is designed to raise awareness of the coexistence of Spanish and other languages in Spanish-speaking regions and to encourage students to engage creatively with the topic of multilingualism.

Content and Methods: A text explains the linguistic situation in a Spanish-speaking region. It also addresses new language trends such as Spanglish and neologisms. The worksheet includes multiple-choice questions, word identification exercises, and a creative group activity in which students are asked to invent their own language.

Competencies:

Linguistic knowledge: Understanding of multilingualism and language contact

Critical thinking: Reflection on the development of languages

Creativity: Inventing words and a new language

Target audience and level: Spanish learners at A2 level

Objective: This worksheet aims to help students understand life in a Spanish-speaking country and enable them to describe their own country.

Content and Methods: It covers attitudes toward life, social dynamics (generational conflicts, marginalized groups), migration, and the importance of tourism in a selected country. Methods include reading comprehension, selecting specific statements from the text, and a structured task to describe one’s own country.

Competencies:

• Reading comprehension
• Understanding of sociocultural and geographical aspects
• Written expression

Target group and level: Spanish learners at A2 level

Objective: This worksheet aims to provide students with a basic understanding of genetic engineering and to facilitate a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages, particularly as they relate to fruits and vegetables.

Content and Methods: It explains the basics of genetic engineering and its applications (medicine, agriculture, research). The focus is on genetic engineering in fruits and vegetables, its advantages (pesticide resistance, productivity, nutritional value, climate adaptation), and concerns (environment, health, acceptance, costs). Methods include a prior knowledge assessment, multiple-choice questions, open-ended questions, and expressing an opinion in letter form.

Competencies:

• Reading comprehension of scientific texts
• Critical thinking about biotechnology
• Argumentation and written expression skills

Target audience and level: Spanish learners at B1 level

ESD:

• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Exploring climate adaptation
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): Raising awareness of biodiversity conservation