high school

Ionic Covalent Compounds and Card Sorts

Chad Husting | Thu, 02/02/2017 - 19:10

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Card sorts are a great way to achieve a number of classroom objectives. They can be used as a review activity or they can be done during the middle of a lesson as a type of formative assessment. Sorts can encourage students to work with other students or can even be used as a type of exit ticket. I decided to use the strategy about two thirds of the way through a unit on covalent and ionic compounds and lewis structures. I knew there were items we did not cover in the sort but I was curious to see how they would approach these unknown topics.

Chemical Investigations of McCormick's Color From Nature Food Colors. Part 1: Sky Blue

Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 01/31/2017 - 09:15

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The chemistry of the Sky Blue dye found in McCormick's Color From Nature food colors is explored. This is part one of a three-part series in which the chemistry of McCormick's Color From Nature food colors is presented.

Creating an Organic Chemistry Reaction Pathways Flowchart as a Unit Summary

Lowell Thomson | Fri, 01/27/2017 - 22:43

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For a recent unit on organic chemistry for my IB students, I tried something new. I gave them a handout with a list of organic compounds (by class/functional group) and a list of mechanisms and reaction types. Their task (in small groups), using either butcher paper or a large whiteboard, was to create a flow chart of reaction pathways.

Chemical Connections to Climate Change

Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 01/25/2017 - 11:11

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It is becoming increasingly important for citizens to understand various concepts related to climate change and global warming. This post describes several chemical concepts that are pertinent to these issues, in the hopes that teachers of science and chemistry can introduce the topic of climate change into their classrooms and everyday discussions.

The Case of the Barking Dog

Doug Ragan | Tue, 01/24/2017 - 21:12

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The lab was a success as I watched startled students produce the so-called barking dog sound as they combusted the hydrogen gas in their inverted test tubes.

Investigating the Effect of Concentration on Reaction Time

Ben Meacham | Tue, 01/24/2017 - 09:33

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Whether you are introducing collision theory or something more demanding like reaction order, the reaction between sodium thiosulfate—Na₂S₂O₃ and hydrochloric acid can provide a consistent, accurate, and engaging opportunity for investigating these topics.

Introduction to the Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) Framework

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This webinar will introduce the Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) Framework, implementation strategies, and how it helps create a classroom culture that more accurately reflects the ways progress in scientific knowledge and communication take place in the real world. Free webinar for all AMTA members!

Exciting Summer Research Opportunity for Teachers in Indiana and Alabama

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A unique professional development opportunity for STEM teachers from Indiana and Alabama.

Building Models of Isomers

Michael Morgan | Sun, 01/22/2017 - 13:23

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Students will build models of isomers while the instructor walks around from station to station to critique the models. If the model is incorrect, the students rebuild until they get it right. The paper that accompanies this assignment is very easy to grade.

Hoffman Apparatus on the Go....

Chad Husting | Sun, 01/22/2017 - 08:01

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There are many places online to build a DIY Hoffman apparatus. The ACS offers an electrolysis of water lesson that includes a hand made Hoffman apparatus(link is external) as part of a unit on energy that I used as a resource.