The Wuppertal Didactics of Chemistry is one of the representatives of experimental-conceptual chemistry didactics. Within the framework of our curricular innovation research, future-oriented topics relating to forms of energy (e.g. light energy, electrical energy, chemical energy), energy conversion and the sustainable use of energy resources are developed and didactically prepared for use in chemistry lessons in connection with the specialist sciences. According to the guideline "From the Established to the Innovative", the developed experiments are embedded in didactic concepts, which tie in with the obligatory topics of chemistry teaching and open up new professional horizons in the classroom.

"Energy" is one of the basic concepts of chemistry. Every chemical reaction is accompanied by energy conversions: energy is converted in the human body, and the sustainable use of energy sources is one of the most important questions of mankind. Reason enough to confront our students, from whom the future generation of researchers will be recruited, with the concept of energy in many areas of chemistry teaching and to deal with future-oriented topics such as the conversion of light energy into electrical energy in class, as well as under interdisciplinary aspects.

Within the framework of chemical didactic research, experiments and experimental sequences suitable for school use are developed in our laboratory. The testing takes place with groups of pupils and students of teaching professions and in the context of teacher training events. Their evaluation finally leads to optimizations of experiments, concepts and media.