Blogs

The Atomic Dashboard

If you are on Twitter and follow #chemchat, you may have recently seen some beautiful, rotating 3D atomic and molecular models from Dave Doherty @atomsNMolecules. I was curious about these models and after contacting Dave, he introduced me to The Atomic Dashboard.

Encouraging Words

Here in Michigan we are entering into our 4th week of school. My Honors Chemistry 1 students will be having their first test this week and my Chemistry 2 students will be having their stoichiometry test in 2 weeks. Things are moving along and I am daily observing improvement in my students. 

Oxidation of diphenylmethanol to benzophenone

I'm looking for a reliable procedure for an undergraduate organic lab experiment: oxidation of diphenylmethanol to benzophenone.  I am updating our lab experiments and was thinking about introducing phase transfer catalysis, linked to a 2-step Grignard synthesis ( bromobenzene --> phenylmagnesium bromide  -->  diphenylmethanol  --> benzophenone).  I have found a JChem Ed paper that sug

Shelly's Sharing . . .

Shelly Belleau is a chemistry and physics teacher from the Denver metro area.  This school year she is working as a teacher on special assignment at the University of Coloroado, Boulder.  Shelly anaitcipates returning to the high school classroom next fall.  Below is our coversation about inquiry.

1.  How do you define inquiry? or What does inquiry look like to you?

Sweet Chemistry Resources for NCW

National Chemistry Week this October 19–25 offers a chance to take a trip to the candy shop with the theme "The Sweet Side of Chemistry—Candy." Looking for some tasty chemistry resources? Two upcoming webinars will help you stock up.