The man who invented the earliest examples of chemical engineering was an American-born, French-educated, free man of color before the Civil War, and went on to translate Egyptian hieroglyphics. There is something of interest for almost every scholar in this lesson. Through readings, analysis, and charts, pupils cover many concepts of thermodynamics. 

Concepts

thermodynamics, sugar, evaporation

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Visit a sugar cane plantation or bring in raw sugar cane
• The lesson would fit well as an introduction to thermodynamics

Classroom Considerations

• The handout printed after the reading passage should come before the reading passage
• The second in a set of six lesson plans

Pros

• Cross-curricular connections to history including the Industrial Revolution, slavery, and the American Civil War
• Provides an answer key 
• Designed as a ready-to-go lesson

Cons

• Lesson does not include any hands-on activities

Common Core

RST.9-10.2 RST.9-10.5 RST.9-10.7 RST.11-12.2 RST.11-12.5