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JCE 96.08 August 2019 Issue Highlights

Mary Saecker | Mon, 08/19/2019 - 14:58

Chemistry Education: A Bridge to the Future

The August 2019 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available to subscribers. Topics featured in this issue include: authentic chemistry laboratories; student motivation, sustained interest, and student success; student understanding of fundamental concepts; aids to assessment; computer-based learning; active learning activities; engaging polymer chemistry activities; experimenting with flavor and food; organic chemistry laboratories; spectroscopy laboratories; acid-base chemistry; from the archives: polymer properties.

Equilibrium Snowball Fight

Josh Kenney | Thu, 06/20/2019 - 12:08

For dynamic equilibrium, I like to use a physical analogy that pits students against each other in a classroom-wide “snowball” fight. Not only is this activity great for building students’ conceptualization of dynamic equilibrium, it is also really fun!

A Great Introduction to Stoichiometry

Dustin Williams | Wed, 05/22/2019 - 20:13

This lab is one of my favorite activities to do in my classes and I look forward to it every year. The lab is simple, requires limited supplies, students love it (i.e. high engagement level), and I have found it to really set students up for stoichiometry.

DIY Whiteboards for Less Than $2.00/Each.

Josh Kenney | Wed, 05/08/2019 - 15:03

Whiteboards are great learning tools in a science classroom. With these instructions, you can make eight 24-in x 24-in whiteboards for less than $2.00 each! Instructions for simple whiteboard stands are included.

AACT Science Coaches

Lauren Stewart | Tue, 04/30/2019 - 08:03

I was excited for the opportunity but I never thought my science coach would be interested in developing and executing lessons with me. Luckily for me, my experience ended up being nothing like what I expected. You can apply for this experience too. The deadline to apply for Science Coaches for the 2019–2020 school year is September 1, 2019.

Elements, Compounds, and a Vocabulary Card Sort

Ariel Serkin | Thu, 04/11/2019 - 21:28

How many of you could recite, word for word, a definition you learned in school? When you first memorized the definition, you could state “inertia is a property of matter”, or “density is mass over volume.” However, you struggled to apply it to a new situation and maybe you were unsure of how to construct a model of what it meant.

NGSS-ify Alka-Seltzer Rockets

Stephanie O'Brien | Tue, 02/19/2019 - 18:50

Given a guiding question, students determined what they wanted to test, did the experiment and got their CER boards ready for review. Instead of a regular argumentation session, we had a glow and grow session, where students had to provide positive and negative feedback for each board.

The Blue Butterfly Effect

Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 01/28/2019 - 18:59

The June, 2018 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education contains an article that describes a simple, yet fascinating experiment that you and your students are going to love! It involves the use of butterfly wings from the genus Morpho. I obtained some of these wings and enjoyed experimenting with them. You will too!