opportunity to analyse events that they encounter in daily life, but also become more aware of the connection between chemistry/science and their daily lives (TPSI
1991). The students are thereby able to become more actively involved in their own learning processes (Stolk et al. 2009a, b). In these projects, contexts that are the
starting points for the development of scientific under-standing (Bennett et al.2005) are introduced to the students in order to excite their curiosity (Stolk et al.2009a, b). The students are required to induce meanings by using contexts; thus, they justify a ‘need-to-know’ approach to content. Once the students perceive the importance and relevance of the material, their enthusiasm towards science/chemistry is boosted (Barker and Millar1999, 2000; Belt et al. 2005; Potter and Overton2006). Context-based courses improve student engagement in learning chemistry, and help them to acquire a better understanding of their environment (Bennett and Lubben 2006).