The initial inspiration for Chemistry and Conflict came from a “Thing Biography” display at a Los Angeles bookstore. The display was of books about things such as salt, written from various perspectives. Daisy Sharrock and Peter Jana asked themselves, why not create a “thing biography” of chemicals and their role in history? As Peter put it, “sometimes we go through our studies and see the world in highly compartmentalized ways, so students might leave their education believing that history is not related to chemistry in any way. Well, it is, and it needs some thought to find those connections, but they’re there. The world is a complex place…the interdisciplinary aspect of this work demonstrates the complexity of the world.”

In planning for the project, Peter and Daisy brainstormed a list of “contentious molecules” and their links to conflicts throughout history and present day. In the chemistry lab, students launched the project by doing experiments to look at various chemical compounds. Then they chose a particular molecule and began to research its importance in current day and historical conflicts. Each molecule or compound led to historical and ethical questions, for example: how might the history of Africa been different if rubber had not been discovered there? Did the discovery of uranium’s ability to generate power help or hinder mankind?

In pairs, students conducted extensive research, including interviews with experts to discover their molecule’s role in history. They wrote research papers, which went through multiple drafts. The project’s final product was a book, in which each chapter was an edited down version of the research paper, illuminating the chemical compound’s role in history. A student editorial board reviewed submissions and provided critique and revision suggestions.

In a final chemistry experiment, the book was illustrated with copper etchings created through a chemical redox reaction.