energy

The chemical reaction between violet-colored thionin and iron (II) ions produces a leucothionin, a colorless compound (Equation 1).^1,2

The Wisconsin initiative for Science Literacy led by Bassam Shakhashiri has published Science Climate Concepts Fit Your Classroom - A Workbook for Teachers authored by Dr. Jerry Bell.

A year ago I stumbled across a fun way to present the reaction between calcium metal and water. Check it out (including a video explanation): The Devil's Milkshake. Ca(s) + H₂O(l) → CaO(s) + H₂(g)       Equation 1

At https://Mypages.unh.edu/windows-stem-inquiry you can visit a pedagogic field laboratory site.

I recently tried an experiment in class that works well as a chemistry demonstration for Halloween. In fact, I recently performed it at our annual Halloween / National Chemistry Week chemistry demonstration show. The experiment is very easy to carry out. I call it “The Devil’s Milkshake”. Check it out in the video below.

Each year, my honors chemistry class eventually gets to the point where thermodynamic quantities and the relationships between them are introduced. For many students, the very nature of the ideas within thermochemistry often creates a sense of overwhelming abstraction that is difficult to overcome.

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 practice

What am I doing to help kids achieve? How do I know when they are there? What is the evidence?

In a previous blog post I described some problems I encountered when beginning my instruction on energy this year.  From the misconceptions fostered by the biology textbooks using the phrase “high-energy phosphate bond” to idea that energy comes in different forms, the Modeling community recognizes the challenges of teaching the energy concept and has developed a way of talking about energy designed to help students construct a consistent and cohesive model.