Simple Distillation
Chad Husting | Mon, 01/24/2022 - 19:07
This is a simple small-scale distillation that can be used several different ways.
Science Practice: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating information
Cabbage, colours and cleaning products: A citizen science inspired review of anthocyanin extractions that can be attempted at home
Iain Smellie | Mon, 12/06/2021 - 13:59
Check out this citizen science inspired review of anthocyanin extractions that can be attempted at home
Food Dyes as Acid-Base Indicators
Tom Kuntzleman | Sun, 11/28/2021 - 10:51
Natural food dyes are being sold online and in stores that can be used as acid-base indicators. These dyes open up a host of possibilities for at-home and in-class. For example, these food dyes can be used as indicators in the quantitative titration of the Mg(OH)2 in milk of magnesia.
The Start of Another Year.....
Chad Husting | Mon, 09/06/2021 - 14:03
Chad Husting explains how he used two hands on activities to get a sense of where his students were at within the realm of labwork and the scientific process as school began.
The Empirical Formula of Magnesium Oxide Lab: A Successful Failure, Next Steps—and an Important Lesson
Michael Jansen | Mon, 08/16/2021 - 16:01
Michael Jansen reflects on a very common empirical formula lab that asks students to determine the empirical formula of MgxOy. He then explains how he continues to use it as a "successful failure", how he demonstrates an alternate procedure and leads his students to an important lesson.
The Golden Drain -- A Stoichiometry Case Study
Josh Kenney | Sun, 06/20/2021 - 08:55
The Golden Drain is a case study developed by Sharma and Wolfgang where students work to uncover a company’s lost revenue due to the error of a new employee.
What do you want to know about your students' chemical thinking? Categorizing chemistry formative assessments
Scott Balicki | Mon, 05/03/2021 - 07:57
In order to teach chemistry effectively, we must ascertain what our students are thinking about chemistry and make a decision regarding what to do with what we learn. Formative assessment questions provide a useful lens into students' minds regarding what they are thinking about chemistry. Let us consider then, how categorizing formative assessment questions could help us plan out our classes more deliberately, in order to better design purposeful written formative assessments that align with our curricular goals. If you would like to learn more, please join us for a ChemEd X Talk about formative assessment question categories that we will be leading on Thursday May 26 at 7:00 PM EST.
What Is the Pressure Inside a Bottle of Soda?
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 12/08/2020 - 13:01
What is the pressure inside a bottle of soda pop? Read this short article to find the surprising answer to this question, and also to learn how to do an experiment to answer this question for yourself!
NGSS-ify Alka-Seltzer Rocket Activity - With Virtual Options
Stephanie O'Brien | Sun, 10/04/2020 - 16:22
In this lab students are given a film canister, a quantity of Alka Seltzer of their own choosing and any materials available in the room to investigate factors that affect the rate of reaction. They work with their groups to create CER boards and then the class engages in a Glow and Grow session. Tips for using this activity in a virtual setting are offered as well.
Exploration of Gas Laws Using Atomsmith Online
Lowell Thomson | Fri, 09/11/2020 - 11:21
Using the online simulation tool (Atomsmith Classroom Online) and the ADI framework students investigate the properties of gases, along with two gas laws. An ADI "whiteboard discussion" helps in getting students to really process what the results of experiments mean to us as chemists - and how this leads to expanding our understanding of matter. This activity lends itself to an online classroom.