Blogs

ChemEd X contributors offer their ideas and opinions on a broad spectrum of topics pertaining to chemical education.

Blogs at ChemEd X reflect the opinions of the contributors and are open to comments. Only selected contributors blog at ChemEd X. If you would like to blog regularly at ChemEd X, please use our Contribution form to request an invitation to do so from one of our editors.

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sig figs
A Post-Inquiry Activity: A Tiered Significant Figures Lesson
// Tuesday, February 17, 2015 • Allison Tarvin
Historically, my students report significant figures as one of the most confusing concepts in honors chemistry. My recent blog post described the process of transforming my introduction into an inquiry activity.
M Morgan
Getting to Know You
// Tuesday, February 10, 2015 • mamorgan@me.com
Hello and welcome to my new blog. I am Michael Morgan and I teach AP Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, Chemistry, and pretty much all things NErDy at Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School in Los Angeles, CA. I have been teaching for almost 30 years. In Los Angeles I am a rare bird, a chemistry teacher that actually studied chemistry in college.
measurment
A “Buzzing” Introduction to Significant Figures
// Saturday, February 7, 2015 • Allison Tarvin
ENGAGE: A “Buzzing” Introduction to Significant Figures Education “buzz words” can be meaningless jargon, or they can challenge us to consider new approaches to teaching and learning. Don’t let the jargon be a buzz kill!
How I Obtained Lab Equipment - Hach Grant
// Thursday, February 5, 2015 • Ryan Schoenborn
Chemistry teachers face many challenges. One of those challenges is providing our students with the equipment and resources they need to be successful. Many teachers find themselves in schools that cannot afford to properly outfit their chemistry courses. That is exactly the situation I found myself in as a new teacher.
Chemical Mystery #4: The Case of the Misbehaving Balloon
// Tuesday, February 3, 2015 • Tom Kuntzleman
Conducting experiments with liquid nitrogen experiments is a sure-fire way to energize many chemistry lessons. Unfortunately, getting access to liquid nitrogen can be a bit difficult. I happen to purchase liquid nitrogen from Airgas; you might be able to find a branch near you here.
"Instant" Feedback
// Friday, January 30, 2015 • Dan Meyers
At my school in Michigan, the second semester just started this week. And, since all chemistry classes (except for IB Chemistry) are semester courses, I have new students and different preps.
chemistry mug
Show Off Your Chemistry SWAG!
// Friday, January 30, 2015 • Deanna Cullen
I love teaching chemistry! It is fun to express that interest by collecting t-shirts and other items when I attend professional development.
ChemEd15
Planning my Professional Development
// Sunday, January 25, 2015 • E Posthuma
This is the time of year when I start looking ahead and planning my professional development for the new year.   As a mom to two young boys I simply cannot attend all the conferences, workshops, or lectures I’d like to.  I have to research my options and
App review – Cymbal by PhoneApp.com
// Sunday, January 25, 2015 • Doug Ragan
In my high school chemistry classes, I stress the use of units and the use of written chemical formulas to be represented properly.  It is important to me that when a student expresses the formula of a chemical either in their data or in a balanced equation that they represent it correctly.