Dr. Volker Hofheinz
Studienberater Lehramt Chemie für GyGe/BK
Professur für Didaktik der Chemie - Senior High School Teacher in Higher Education
Office address
Office Hours
Please schedule an appointment by email.
Selected Publications
Gamify Your Lab – Game-Like Elements to Boost Motivation and Engagement in the Student Lab
Gamify Your Lab – Game-Like Elements to Boost Motivation and Engagement in the Student Lab
Hannah Is Confused—A Case for Greater Emphasis on the Nature of Science in Chemistry Classes
Hannah Is Confused—A Case for Greater Emphasis on the Nature of Science in Chemistry Classes
The Long Road to a Viable Acid-Base Concept
The Long Road to a Viable Acid-Base Concept
The Nature of the Natural Sciences
The Nature of the Natural Sciences
Acquiring Knowledge About the "Nature of Science"
Acquiring Knowledge About the "Nature of Science"
| Since July 2009 | Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry Education |
| 2008–2009 | Teacher at the Robert Schuman European School, Willich |
| 2003–2008 | Seconded to the University of Siegen, research group led by Prof. Dr. Volker Scharf |
| 2000–2003 | Teacher at the Robert Schuman Comprehensive School, Willich |
| 1998–2000 | Teacher training at the Bonn Teacher Training College |
| 1990–1997 | Studied chemistry and German to become a secondary school teacher (Grades 5–13) at the University of Siegen |
Billion-Kramer, T.; Hofheinz, V., & Rehm, M. (2022). Hannah Is Confused: A Case for Greater Emphasis on the Nature of Science in Chemistry Education. Science Education: Chemistry 33(192), pp. 2–7.
Hofheinz, V. & Klein, L. (2022). The Long Road to a Viable Acid-Base Concept. A Digitally Designed Group Puzzle for Reflecting on Key Aspects of Knowledge About the Nature of Science. Science Education: Chemistry 33(192), pp. 31–36.
Hofheinz, V. & Stein, M. (2019). Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table of Elements. In: Focus on Chemistry SII. Complete Volume. Teaching Resources. Berlin: Cornelsen, pp. 7–32.
Hofheinz, V. & Stein, M. (2018). Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table of Elements. In: Fokus Chemie. Upper Secondary Level. Complete Volume. Solutions. Berlin: Cornelsen, pp. 6–11.
Hofheinz, V. & Stein, M. (2018). Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table of the Elements. In: Focus on Chemistry. Upper Secondary Level. Complete Volume. Berlin: Cornelsen, pp. 16–37.
Hofheinz, V. & Scharf, V. (2012). Teaching Chemistry—Designing Learning Processes. In: K. Freytag, V. Scharf & E. Thomas (Eds.). Handbook of Chemistry Education. Secondary Level I. Vol. 1. Goals and Approaches. Hallbergmoos: Aulis, pp. 1–46.
Hofheinz, V. & Prechtl, M. (2012). Miniaturized Experiments in Chemistry Instruction. In: K. Freytag, V. Scharf & E. Thomas (Eds.). Handbook of Chemistry Instruction. Secondary Level I. Vol. 1. Goals and Approaches. Hallbergmoos: Aulis, pp. 211–234.
Hofheinz, V. & Stein, M. (2011). Material Cycles in Nature and Technology. In: A. Fischedick & S. Scheurell (Eds.). Chemistry Made Easy. Textbook for Upper Secondary School. Introductory Phase, North Rhine-Westphalia. Berlin: Duden Paetec, pp. 152–179.
Hofheinz, V. (2010). The Essence of the Natural Sciences. What Defines the Natural Sciences. Natural Sciences in the Classroom: Chemistry 21(118/119): 8–13.
Hofheinz, V. (2010). The Baby Diaper Project. Open-ended research tasks and implicit knowledge acquisition about the nature of the natural sciences. Natural Sciences in the Classroom: Chemistry 21(118/119): 50–55.
Hofheinz, V. (2008). Acquisition of Knowledge about the “Nature of Science.” A Case Study on the Potential of Implicit Learning Processes in Open Teaching-Learning Arrangements, Using Chemistry Instruction as an Example. Siegen: University of Siegen,Dissertation.
Hofheinz, V. (2008). Acquisition of Knowledge about the Nature of Science through the Reconstruction of Historical Research Processes. In: D. Höttecke (Ed.). Competencies, Competency Models, Competency Development. GDCP Annual Conference in Essen 2007. Münster: Lit-Verlag, pp. 269–271.
Hofheinz, V. (2007). General Education Through Chemistry Instruction in the Age of Literacy? *chimica didacticae et ceterae artes rerum naturae didacticae* 33(100): 128–151.
Hofheinz, V. & Buchen, B. (2006). Looking Over Researchers’ Shoulders—A Group Puzzle for Reflecting on Scientific Methods Starting in 10th Grade. PdN-ChiS 55(5): 42–45.
Hofheinz, V. (2006). Open-ended research tasks—methodologically guided? In: A. Pitton (Ed.). Teaching and Learning with New Media. GDCP Annual Conference in Paderborn 2005. Münster: Lit-Verlag, pp. 278–280.
Hofheinz, V. & Gröger, M. (2005). Conceptually Grounded Science Projects. In: A. Pitton (Ed.). The Relevance of Research Findings in Science Education for Teacher Education. Annual Conference of the GDCP in Heidelberg 2004. Münster: Lit-Verlag, pp. 181–183.
Hofheinz, V.; Schmitz, J., & Gröger, M. (2004). Red Wine in School? Activities on Basic Competencies. NiU-Chemie 15(82/83): 50–53.
Gröger, M.; Schmitz, J., & Hofheinz, V. (2002). Real-Life Questions. Exercises Based on the PISA Study. NiU-Physik 13(67): 21–23.
Hofheinz, V.; Scharf, V.; Scholz, M., & Woyke, A. (1999). Book review. “Nikos Psarros: Chemistry and Its Methods. A Philosophical Perspective. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH, 1999.” ZfDN 5(3): 89–93.
Scharf, V.; Bell-Baj, B.; Hofheinz, V., & Scholz, M. (1998). Chemical Aspects in the Training and Education of Elementary School Teachers for General Studies in North Rhine-Westphalia. In: H. Behrendt (Ed.): On the Didactics of Physics and Chemistry. Problems and Perspectives. Alsbach/Bergstraße: Leuchtturmverlag, pp. 197–199.
Hofheinz, V., & Scharf, V. (1998). Developing innovative environmental education programs in schools concerning alternative energy sources. Basic materials for teachers. A manuscript within the framework of the “Dedalus Project.” Siegen: University of Siegen.
Hofheinz, V. & Scharf, V. (1997). The “Greenhouse Effect” from the Perspective of Science Education. In: W. Lippke (ed.). Teaching, Study, Continuing Education. Vol. 11. Environment and Education. Siegen: ISSN 0935-9303, pp. 53–80, English version pp. 239–260.
| January 7, 2013 | “Teaching the Nature of Science or the Nature of Science in the Classroom?” Lecture as part of the “Teaching STEM” lecture series at the University of Hildesheim |
| February 17, 2011 | “Making Implicit Knowledge about NoS Explicit” Presentation at the GDCP symposium in collaboration with the Biology Didactics Section of Vbio, University of Vienna |
| June 12, 2008 | “The ‘Nature of Science’ as a Subject of Instruction at the Intersection of Instruction and Construction” Presentation as part of the interdisciplinary colloquium on the didactics of the natural sciences at Ruhr University Bochum |
| September 18, 2007 | “Acquiring Knowledge about the Natural Sciences through the Reconstruction of Historical Research Processes” Presentation at the annual conference of the Society for the Didactics of Chemistry and Physics (GDCP) in Essen |
| July 5, 2007 | “General Education Through Chemistry Instruction in the Age of Literacy?” Presentation at the academic farewell ceremony for Prof. Dr. Volker Scharf, University of Siegen |
| September 22, 2005 | “Open-Ended Investigations—With Methodological Guidance?” Presentation at the annual conference of the Society for the Didactics of Chemistry and Physics (GDCP) in Paderborn |
| March 8, 2005 | “Strengthening Agency in the Natural Sciences through the Integration of Conceptual and Science-Oriented Approaches into Instruction?” Presentation at the Institute for Chemistry and its Didactics at the University of Cologne |
| November 11, 2004 | Workshop “Science-Oriented Introductory Instruction in Grades 5–7, Part III” Teacher training in collaboration with Prof. V. Scharf |
| September 16, 2004 | “Conceptually Grounded Science-Based Work” Presentation at the annual conference of the Society for the Didactics of Chemistry and Physics (GDCP) in Heidelberg |
| May 6, 2004 | Workshop “Science-Oriented Introductory Instruction in Grades 5–7, Part II” Teacher training in collaboration with Prof. V. Scharf and StD H. Poignie |
| March 15, 2004 | “The Science Forum—A Project for Contemporary Teacher Education” Presentation at the joint conference of the MNU and the “Chemistry Education Section” of the GDCh in Bad Honnef |
| February 26, 2004 | Workshop “Science-Oriented Introductory Instruction in Grades 5–7, Part I” Teacher training in collaboration with Prof. V. Scharf |