Relevant National Science Education Standards

Unifying Concepts and Processes — In these readings the students learn how the different components of an aspirin molecule affect its behavior, specifically how an acetyl group alters its behavior to make it a palatable medicine. This enforces the relationship between form and function, with molecular structure being form and the medicinal properties of aspirin being function. The readings also stress that clinical evidence was necessary before aspirin could be called a safe and effective drug.

Science as Inquiry — This set of readings explores the inquiry process that led to the development of aspirin.

Physical Science — This set of readings stresses that aspirin was created by altering the molecular structure of an existing substance.

Science and Technology — The readings tell the students that the technological development of aspirin was an application of existing scientific knowledge of chemistry and the pharmacology of acetylated drugs.

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives — The readings clearly show the impact of science on a personal health issue, namely physical pain.

History and Nature of Science — The readings show science as a human endeavor, as well as the nature of scientific knowledge as knowledge gained through careful observation and experimentation. The historical perspective is central to the readings.

Relevant New Jersey State Science Curriculum Standards

5.1	The readings familiarize the students with the steps of scientific inquiry.
5.2	Aspirin is a major discovery whose story nicely meets this standard.
5.4	The readings demonstrate that the discovery of aspirin was the result of application of scientific knowledge to a particular problem. Specifically, the knowledge that acetylation could make drugs less irritating was put to use to create aspirin.
5.6	Central to these readings is the fact that substances are made of molecules, and molecules are made of atoms. More specifically, the readings show that changing the structure of the molecule will change the properties of the substance.

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The Reconstructors — be the drug discoverer in this postapocalyptic sci-fi drug development game that lets you rediscover the secrets of aspirin in a future world that has lost the knowledge of modern medicine, from Rice University.

 

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