The application of Hess's Law frequently presents students with conceptual problems. This series of experiments confirms Hess's Law and offers a robust understanding of this principle. This can be done as a demo completed by the teacher or as a lab with groups of students.
With the school year quickly approaching, science teachers will at some point need to decide the role of laboratory investigation within their new learning environment. To help this decision-making process, I wanted to focus on two available options that I believe have the greatest potential for offering a legitimate approach toward authentic investigations in a digital environment.
Learn how to form a blue-green copper compound on a penny, and then use that compound to make green flames. This is a great summer time activity for your next campfire!
These are a few reflections from an AP Chemistry Exam reader after reading the 2020 online AP Chemistry Exam.
The 2020 global pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 forced millions of teachers to switch from in-person to online instruction. With minimal training in online teaching, many substandard learning environments (including my own online chemistry class) were quickly rolled out. After realizing that my asynchronous virtual chemistry course did not offer an optimal learning experience, I sought out activities and methods to incorporate higher-order thinking. In this post I describe two metacognitive learning activities that are easy to incorporate into an online learning environment.
AACT has organized eight virtual symposia to provide professional development for teachers this summer. These symposia can truly help teachers plan for the next school year and virtually “see” one another to share ideas and concerns.
We used liquid nitrogen to visualize the aerosol particles emitted while speaking, coughing, breathing, and sneezing. We also tested the ability of various masks to block these droplets.
Metacognition is a learner-focused evaluation of knowledge growth and an essential process for complete and lasting knowledge. Although virtual learning environments pose challenges for facilitating metacognitive activities, student-made videos are effective for increasing metacognition in online chemistry instruction.
Learning How to Do Chemistry
The June 2020 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. Topics featured in this issue include: innovative curriculum; exploring kinetics; engaging organic chemistry activities; molecular structure and symmetry; polymer chemistry; technology-based instruction; synthesis laboratories; undergraduate research experiences; from the archives: bath bombs and cosmetics chemistry.
Desmos offers an activity building feature that allows teachers to create and customize activities. The resource is applicable to a variety of science and chemistry topics and useful in whatever learning environment teachers find themselves in next school year.
