Chemical Mystery #11: Too hot to boil?!
Tom Kuntzleman | Fri, 03/02/2018 - 11:04
What happens if you place metal that is glowing orange-hot into some water? Watch this video and find out!
high school chemistry
Follow-Up: Inspired to try something new with stoichiometry
Lowell Thomson | Fri, 02/23/2018 - 22:55
Inspired by Ben Meacham's post on stoichiometry, I looked to modify the lab sequence for my IB Chemistry class for our unit on stoichiometry. I will describe my experience modifying a typical empirical formula lab, along with using a modified version of the lab Ben shared.
Temperature Experiments with the Scrub Daddy Sponge
Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 02/21/2018 - 10:59
What happens if you cool a Scrub Daddy sponge in liquid nitrogen (or dry ice) and subsequently strike it with a hammer? Let's find out!
Acid Base Speed Dating
Kristen Drury | Tue, 02/20/2018 - 14:22
The unit of acids and bases is difficult for most students in Advanced Placement Chemistry. The variety of various calculations can be overwhelming. The Acid Base Speed Dating Activity engages students in completing a series of problems. Each student is assigned a specific solution and then determines their individual pH to complete their personal “Solution Biography.” Then the speed dating begins! For each date, the students need to find a specific match and determine their combined pH value.
Connections to the 2018 Winter Olympics
Dan Meyers | Mon, 02/19/2018 - 14:28
Have you been watching the Winter Olympics? I have been able to draw many similarities and relevance to what I am teaching in the classroom. How about you?
Break the Ice with Mystery Blocks
Stephanie O'Brien | Thu, 02/15/2018 - 20:00
In an effort to align my lessons with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), I have tried to take the content I have traditionally taught, and shift the design to focus on student engagement with the science and engineering practices outlined in the standards. For the topic of heat transfer I re-packaged the ice melting blocks discrepant event as a NGSS investigative phenomena.
Bringing a Radio Program in to Chemistry Class
Kaleb Underwood | Tue, 02/13/2018 - 22:08
As I drive home from work every day in Houston, TX I am greeted by the entrancing voice of Dr. John Lienhard, now an Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering and History at the University of Houston.
A simple method to measure the wavelength of light
Tom Kuntzleman | Sun, 02/04/2018 - 10:02
A simple laboratory experiment in which students simply measure the wavelength of light is described. An LED light, diffraction glasses, and a meterstick are the only required materials.
Richard Feynman on "Why?" Questions
Lowell Thomson | Fri, 01/26/2018 - 06:15
In this blog post I will discuss an interview with Dr. Richard Feynman relating to magnets that explores the concept of "why?" questions in science. You will find a links to a blog post and a transcript of the interview along with ideas for how I use the video in IB Chemistry.
Announcing AACT Teacher Awards
Michael Morgan | Wed, 01/24/2018 - 16:44
The American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT) has just made a major announcement. The first AACT Chemistry Teacher of the Year Awards have just opened their nomination process. Awards will be given to teachers in each of three levels of chemistry education. One for K-5 teachers of science, one for grade 6-8 teachers of physical science, and one for high school chemistry teachers.