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ChemEd X articles address topics in chemical education ranging across the entire spectrum of the chemical sciences.

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Chemical identity thinking
// Tuesday, April 21, 2020 • ACCT Admin
What is this material made of? (the question of Chemical Identity)
stick man with thought bubble containing chemical structures
Chemical Thinking
// Tuesday, April 21, 2020 • ACCT Admin
A Chemical Thinking lens treats chemistry as a powerful way of thinking with multiple applications in critical areas, including human health, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Historically, the teaching of chemistry has been organized in a topical manner based on the concepts and ideas we would like our students to understand.
stick man with thought bubbles outlining all 8 ways from article
Eight ways students think about chemical identity
// Tuesday, April 14, 2020 • ACCT Admin
Answering “What is this substance?” is part of nearly every problem that chemistry is used to solve. We identify substances by classifying them and by differentiating them from each other.
electrolysis set up using beakers
11. What are the effects of using and producing different matter types?
// Tuesday, April 14, 2020 • ACCT Admin
“What are the effects of using and producing different matter types?” is a question of consequence evaluation, because chemistry depends on context and affects the human experience. The life cycles of materials, including production, consumption, and disposal, have benefits, costs, and risks in many dimensions.
diagram in form of a triangle made up of 4 smaller triangles to outline factors used to control reactions
10. How can the effects be controlled?
// Tuesday, April 14, 2020 • ACCT Admin
“How can the effects be controlled”? Is a question that involves making choices about which internal and external parameters to modify to maximize benefits and minimize costs and risks.
particulate level model of example of chemical change
9. How can chemical changes be controlled?
// Tuesday, April 14, 2020 • ACCT Admin
“How can chemical changes be controlled?” is a question that involves understanding how changes in conditions affect the relative stability of the species involved in a chemical process.
pictorial diagram showing how to perform reaction
8. What affects chemical change?
// Tuesday, April 14, 2020 • ACCT Admin
“What affects chemical change?” is a question of identification of internal and external variables that affect the extent and rate of chemical processes.