Integrating Local Culture into Middle School Chemistry Education: A Lesson on Well Salt Production

This article explores the integration of well salt production in southwest China, a culturally relevant real-world context, into middle school chemistry education. The lesson aimed to engage students in meaningful learning by helping them apply their existing chemistry knowledge to address real-world problems. Recognizing the complexity of these problems, the lesson also incorporated interdisciplinary and sustainability education to encourage students to develop a holistic understanding of real-world issues. The lesson was structured into three stages: a Pre-Class Preparation Stage, where students researched the origins of locally sold salt to introduce well salt; a Classroom Inquiry Stage, where they investigated ancient Chinese methods of well salt production, including salt crystallization, fuel selection, and impurity removal techniques; and a Post-Class Extension Stage, where they explored modern well salt production. Based on student feedback collected through postlesson surveys, the lesson successfully met its educational objectives, facilitated student knowledge construction, and enhanced their problem-solving skills, while helping them develop an appreciation for cultural significance, interdisciplinary connections, and responsible citizenship.