Summary

In this activity, students read Penny Le Couteur and Jay Burreson’s book Napoleon’s Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History. They discuss the book in class and complete a written assignment based on the chemistry and history highlighted in the book.

Grade Level

High school

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to

• Discuss the authors’ view on the importance of various molecules to history.
• Understand what skeletal structures of organic molecules represent.
• Be able to identify various classes of molecules and functional groups.

Chemistry Topics

This lesson supports students’ understanding of

• Molecular structures
• Molecular formulas
• Functional groups
• Real-world chemistry

Time

Teacher Preparation: Several days/weeks to read the 350-page book, then 1-2 hours to prepare notes for discussion

Lesson: 1.5-2 hours

Teacher Notes

• I begin the class discussion with the history highlighted in the book: What molecules were important to history? Why? Do you agree with the authors’ point of view? After 30-45 minute of discussing the importance of the molecules, I further explain skeletal structures of organic molecules, what they represent, and why carbon and hydrogen atoms can be omitted. I walk through various groups of molecules (aromatics, conjugated molecules, sugars) and have students practice drawing molecular structures from molecular formulas and vice versa.
• Students complete the writing assignment in their first week of high school chemistry, so I keep it relatively simple and straight forward. It could be made more difficult for an upper-level chemistry course by requiring students to research more in-depth detail about the chemistry and history of each molecule.
• This blog contains chapter summaries for Napoleon’s Buttons. It is a good refresher and/or alternative to rereading the book each year.
• Students continue to practice going from structure to formula by presenting a “Molecule of the Week” each week. Each week, I draw a different molecule and students work to determine its molecular formula. I then share information about the molecule, including its physical properties (highlighting functional groups) and its importance to real life.