Join Us at ChemEd 2025
Sarah English | Tue, 04/15/2025 - 20:47
Join us at ChemEd 2025 this July at the Colorado School of Mines. Check out this post to learn about all the exciting opportunities!
Curriculum, Pedagogy & Assessment
A Logical Order of Topics for Honors Chemistry and AP Chemistry
Michael Jansen | Fri, 04/04/2025 - 10:23
In this post, a veteran AP Chemistry teacher explains his rationale for the course's topic order. By using an empirically driven sequence, students build deep conceptual understanding and rely less on memorization of facts. It’s a must-read for any educator aiming to make chemistry more meaningful—and more memorable—for students.
Student Learning vs. Student Earning
Kevin Morse | Fri, 03/21/2025 - 07:27
In this post, Kevin Morse outlines an easy-to-implement procedure to help students reflect on teacher feedback for improved understanding.
APTeach - Modeling Net Ionic Equations and Chemical Reactions
Shifra Yonis | Tue, 12/10/2024 - 08:19
The November 2024 APTeach presentation outlined instructional strategies to model net ionic equations and chemical reactions using particulate models, chemical symbols, and observations to support students’ understanding of how chemicals react and interact at the particle level. A clip of the presentation and the presentation slidedeck are included here.
Connecting Light Emissions from Aurora and Other Astronomical Phenomena to Chemistry Courses
Dean Campbell | Tue, 11/05/2024 - 19:26
Recent space-related phenomena like aurora and a comet were viewed by large numbers of people. These phenomena can be connected to concepts described in chemistry courses, such as electronic structures and light emission associated with species such as excited oxygen atoms.
2025 CLC Innovators Program Announcement
Peter Sanders | Thu, 10/31/2024 - 00:00
The Chemistry Laboratory Curriculum (CLC) Innovators Program is accepting applications for its 2025 cohort to help faculty teams transform chemistry labs into inquiry-based experiences with NSF support—apply by December 31, 2024!
Social Justice Science Issues and NGSS
Nina Hike | Sun, 10/20/2024 - 14:41
How can chemistry address real-world issues? Explore how teaching Social Justice Science Issues helps students connect chemistry to their local communities. By integrating student community-centered storylines, teachers can engage students in critical thinking about chemistry topics and how they apply to their everyday lives.
Incorporating Indigenous Perspectives into the Chemistry Classroom
Yvonne Clifford | Mon, 10/14/2024 - 10:12
Yvonne Clifford shares a compilation of lessons that incorporate Indigenous peoples and cultures.
The Power of Interactive Notebooks in a Sophomore Chemistry Class
Hannah Korslund | Mon, 01/15/2024 - 12:43
The author shares how using interactive notebooks has supported her chemistry students.
Refresh and Reinforce: Water Maze Challenge Brain Break Activity
Melissa Hemling | Mon, 09/18/2023 - 08:42
Brain Breaks are powerful tools in education, supported by research showing improved focus, retention, community building, and reduced stress among students. When structured using chemistry principles, like in the Water Maze Race, brain breaks can also introduce or reinforce fundamental chemistry concepts.