Chemistry

Inquiry and Direct Instruction in the Age of NGSS

When it comes to the best approach for student learning, there seems to be two very divided camps: those who promote direct instruction and those who favor inquiry. I have been thinking a lot about this issue for several years now and decided to finally write my reflections down, based on 6 years of experience as a science teacher.

Beginning and Becoming: Introduction and Invitation

Hi everyone! My name is Clarissa Sorensen-Unruh, and I am a new Lead Contributor/Blogger for the Two-Year College component of ChemEd Xchange. I am beyond thrilled, though, to join ChemEd Xchange and learn more about your interests on this platform. I am hoping you, as the audience, will help guide the topics I write about so that we can focus our discussions to interests both you and I share.

The Liquid Nitrogen Cloud

Have you ever seen the liquid nitrogen cloud? Do you wonder how the cloud forms when hot water is thrown onto liquid nitrogen? This post explores the liquid nitrogen cloud and possible explanations for its formation.

Chem Ed 2019 - Not What I Expected

After just returning from Chem Ed 2019 in Naperville, I was planning on writing a blog about the best ideas and take aways. Indeed there were many amazing and creative ideas shared. But a guy named Mike captured more attention from me than all of those.

Revisiting the Rainbow Safety Alert

The American Chemical Society's Committee on Chemical Safety has reached out once again asking that the larger community share the warning about using the Rainbow Demonstration. They want to spread the word about the dangers of the Rainbow Flame Demonstration so no further injuries occur. 

JCE 96.07 July 2019 Issue Highlights

Catalyzing Student Learning

The July 2019 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. Topics featured in this issue include: glowmatography; examining secondary chemistry teaching; useful teaching models and tools; making science accessible; teaching kinetics; computer-based learning; explorations using x-rays; polymer chemistry laboratories; using batteries to teach; analytical chemistry; investigating scale literacy skills; printing the archives: cyanotype.

Oxidation Argumentation Activity

I facilitate a working group of chemistry teachers in the New York area and we recently created our own activity surrounding the topic of oxidation. The goal of the probe was to force students to think about what the meaning of oxidation is, as well as to allow students to engage in the science and engineering practice of argumentation. This was an introductory lesson to my oxidation and reduction unit prior to students learning the terms oxidation and reduction.