Lets’ Get Real: The Law of Definite Proportions
Michael Jansen | Wed, 10/04/2023 - 14:50
Demonstrate the Law of Definite Proportions by quickly and easily preparing one or more esters!
organic
A Demo A Day III: Demonstrations and Props Used in My General Chemistry II Classes
Dean Campbell | Sun, 05/21/2023 - 10:50
Dean Campbell tries to use at least one demo for every class to illustrate concepts described in his chemistry courses. In this post, he includes short descriptions of the demonstrations and props he has used while teaching his collegiate General Chemistry II courses.
Thermal Paper as a Polarity and Acidity Detector
Dean Campbell | Thu, 10/28/2021 - 14:09
Thermal paper such as that used for point of sale receipts typically functions by darkening when exposed to heat. The pigment system used in this paper also darkens when exposed to solvents of intermediate polarity and acids. This enables thermal paper to be used as an inexpensive sort of indicator paper for a variety of demonstrations.
A Manipulative Paper Tool for Teaching Organic Nomenclature: Part 3- Common Names of Major Classes of Organic Compounds
Melanie Harvey | Tue, 06/15/2021 - 18:25
This is the third in a series of classroom activities using paper tools to teach organic nomenclature. This post covers the two common naming systems used for carboxylic acids and derivatives, and second for alcohols, thiols, ethers, amines, and ketones.
The Bannock War of 1878, Camas, and Inulin: How Chemistry Adds Context to a Historical Event
Scott Donnelly | Mon, 06/14/2021 - 13:25
What does a recent visit to Fort Bridger State Historic Park in southwestern Wyoming, a plant similar to an onion, and an armed conflict between Native Americans and the US government have anything to do with chemistry? Much. Check it out here.
The Sweet and Delicious Chemistry of Brownies
Scott Donnelly | Wed, 05/26/2021 - 12:05
Who is not interested in food, right? Why not use what happens in the kitchen everyday to teach some chemistry? This blog post shares some conceptually based questions based on the information found on the backside of a popular dry mix brownie product.
A Manipulative Paper Tool for Teaching Simple Organic Nomenclature: Part 2, IUPAC Naming of Major Classes of Organic Compounds
Melanie Harvey | Tue, 05/04/2021 - 21:20
To help introduce students to organic nomenclature in a way that clearly summarizes the patterns that exist in the IUPAC system, a series of paper tools were developed. The paper tool in this activity can be used to introduce the IUPAC naming of major classes of organic compounds. These paper tools are easy to print and distribute to every student each semester.
A guided group inquiry lesson on coordination compounds and complex ions
Michael Morgan | Tue, 11/24/2020 - 12:02
Michael Morgan shares a lesson that he has used for many years that not only requires students to explain a topic that they have not been directly taught but also to develop explanations based on previous knowledge. He has used this lesson as a multiday “in-class” assignment and also as an “at-home” independent study. It works well in both scenarios with only minor revision. The lesson is based on Alfred Werner’s work on deducing the structures of coordination compounds.
Using Desmos to Create an Organic Nomenclature Card Sorting Activity
Ben Meacham | Tue, 06/02/2020 - 10:20
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.
Open Access to ChemEd X Resources - COVID19
ChemEd X Admin | Mon, 03/23/2020 - 11:42
Due to the COVID 19 crisis, ChemEd X videos and software is open access to all educators.