AI often gives examples of chemical reactions in daily life. But it doesn’t always show the full picture. It might list reactions like gasoline burning or food baking, but leave out things like fermentation, soap-making, or natural dyes. This activity helps students notice which chemical reactions AI sees—and which it leaves out. It asks: whose science gets counted?
In this activity, Students explore how AI explains chemical reactions in daily life. They compare the AI’s examples to reactions they know from their own lives. This helps them see which chemical knowledge gets centered—and which gets left out.
Instructions
- Open an AI chat tool like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini.
- Ask: “What are some examples of chemical reactions in everyday life?”
- Copy the AI’s full response into your notes.
- Make your own list of chemical reactions you’ve seen or heard about.
(Examples: cooking, rusting metal, making yogurt, cleaning with vinegar) - Label each reaction type if you can (combustion, fermentation, neutralization, etc.).
- Compare your list with the AI’s. What reactions are the same? What’s missing?
Tip: Ask again with a new prompt like: “What are some everyday chemical reactions in rural or traditional communities?”
Conscientization
Reading the world through this activity
- What kinds of chemical reactions did the AI focus on?
- What everyday reactions from your life were missing?
- What does the AI seem to think is “normal” chemistry?
- Whose ways of using chemistry does the AI ignore or leave out?
Praxis
Reflection leading to transformation
- What happens if chemistry lessons only use the reactions the AI gives?
- How might that affect students whose lives aren’t included?
- How could science feel more real and useful for all students?
- What could you do to bring more kinds of chemistry into the classroom?
Dialogue
Ongoing discussion
- Share your list of reactions with a partner or group. What surprised you?
- How were people’s lists different from the AI’s answers?
- What do these differences show about whose knowledge is valued in science?
- Try new prompts with the AI—what changes when you ask about different places or cultures?