first-year undergraduate

Resources for Teaching Chemistry Online

Deanna Cullen | Wed, 12/30/2020 - 11:16

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Near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic ChemEd X began compiling a list of both new and previously published ChemEd X posts and resources that might be useful to teachers while teaching remotely. Topics include Technology & Teaching Resources, Strategies and Tips for Teaching Online, Lesson Ideas Suitable for Online Instruction and more. This list continues to grow. Readers are encouraged to check in often to find new content and to comment with additional resources that we can add to our list.

Holiday Reflections on the Silver Mirror Demonstration

Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 12/28/2020 - 17:26

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Tom Kuntzleman tests to see if Powerade can be used as a source of reducing sugars in the classic silver mirror demonstration, and reminisces about Christmas days past when doing so.

JCE 97.12 December 2020 Issue Highlights

Mary Saecker | Sun, 12/27/2020 - 14:17

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The December 2020 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. Topics featured in this issue include: teaching during COVID-19; examining models used by students; chemical structure; game-based learning; interdisciplinary courses; teaching chemistry using plants; laboratory instruction with real-world context; fluorescence; exploring spectroscopy; thermodynamics; chemical education research; from the archives: photography.

Chemistry in General Biology: Is it necessary?

Francisco Villa | Tue, 12/22/2020 - 15:20

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Is it necessary for biology faculty colleagues to spend a month or so covering foundational chemistry in general biology courses then for the remainder of the semester require students to only know a small fraction of chemistry covered? This post briefly looks at what chemistry is needed for general biology.

Stoichiometry - A Free Virtual Chemistry Lab Activity

Josh Kenney | Tue, 12/15/2020 - 09:38

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In this virtual activity, a video introduces stoichiometry and guides students to think conceptually using a simple baking analogy. Afterward, stoichiometry calculations connect to the analogy, that are then reinforced with a simple experiment. Finally, students explore a PhET simulation to deepen their knowledge.

What Is the Pressure Inside a Bottle of Soda?

Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 12/08/2020 - 13:01

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What is the pressure inside a bottle of soda pop? Read this short article to find the surprising answer to this question, and also to learn how to do an experiment to answer this question for yourself!

Thermochemical Analysis of the Devil's Milkshake

Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 10/28/2020 - 14:14

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Learn how to thermochemically analyze the Devil's Milkshake chemical demonstration - just in time for Halloween!

Heat, The Ocean, and Climate Change

Tom Kuntzleman | Fri, 10/16/2020 - 10:14

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Learn a simple way to relate the heat equation (Q = mc∆T ) to climate change.

Spectroscopy in Everyday Life

Thomas Cox | Tue, 10/06/2020 - 17:20

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Spectroscopy-based experiments are commonplace in college labs. This out-of-classroom activity post provides links to applications of spectroscopy in a diverse spectrum of disciplines and work fields.

A pedagogic field laboratory for professional development: Windows on the STEM inquiry classroom

Christopher Bauer | Sun, 10/04/2020 - 23:00

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Come explore the “Fire and Ice” pedagogic field laboratory. Follow suggested pathways and perspectives, or blaze your own trails. Visit for 10 minutes or for hours.