The Circle, a Chemical Shape: Narrative, Historical, and Philosophical Routes toward Circular Chemistry Education

Abstract This article presents a comprehensive conceptual framework for introducing circularity and sustainability across all educational levels, from pre-school to higher education. The concept of circularity, deeply rooted in protochemistry, persists in modern chemistry through catalytic cycles and oscillating reactions, offering fertile ground for chemical education. At the university level, historical and epistemological analyses – informed by the work of Luigi Cerruti – encourage a meta-reflection on the identity of chemistry and its intricate relationship with ecological challenges. Furthermore, through the lens of Kieran Egan’s Imaginative Education, this contribution demonstrates how literature and narrative can foster a profound understanding of circular sustainability paradigms.