Elmer's Glue Isn't Just for Making Slime: Simple Chemical Demonstrations with Elmer's Glue
Josh Kenney | Sat, 08/19/2023 - 09:13
Josh Kenney shares three simple and inexpensive demonstrations using Elmer’s glue.
hands-on learning
How Do Color Changing Marshmallows Work?
Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 07/19/2023 - 12:10
With a little chemical investigation, you can figure out how Jet-Puffed's new color changing marshmallows work!
Plastic Beverage Bottles and More as Orbital Models
Dean Campbell | Fri, 06/02/2023 - 07:58
The shapes of plastic bottles can be used to represent orbitals. Using various connectors, a bit of packing tape, and a few other more specialized touches can produce large scale molecular models that feature orbitals, sigma bonds, and pi bonds.
Solar Eclipse Trip Recap
Dean Campbell | Mon, 05/01/2023 - 17:26
A trip to see the 2024 solar eclipse provided the opportunity to explore ideas associated with sulfur in petroleum, sunlight intensity measurements, laser interference patterns from eclipse glasses, and large-scale light emission from excited hydrogen.
Laser-Cutting CDs into Snowflakes
Dean Campbell | Wed, 03/08/2023 - 15:57
Laser cutters can be used to cut and engrave a variety of thin materials. Compact discs, composed of layers of polycarbonate plastic and aluminum metal, were explored for their ability to be shaped with a laser cutter. The laser can successfully cut and engrave the compact discs into the shape of snowflake. However, each disc must first be coated with a material like glue in order to protect the plastic from discoloration and the byproducts from cutting the plastic that can accumulate on the disc surface.
Hatching Ideas to use Egg Cartons to Represent Electron Arrangements
Dean Campbell | Mon, 01/23/2023 - 14:11
Egg cartons and small objects such as milk jug caps or plastic eggs can be used to illustrate chemical concepts. The egg cartons can be cut into trays to represent atoms or to represent energy levels associated with atomic orbitals. The plastic caps or eggs distributed among the dimples of the trays can be used to represent electrons or pairs of electrons.
The Diet Coke And Mentos Reaction – Having A Literal Blast!
Yvonne Clifford | Mon, 01/16/2023 - 10:28
The Diet Coke and Mentos reaction is used as the basis for this hands on experiment. Students work in groups to research, test, and adapt as needed with the goal to get the highest possible geyser!
A Demo A Day II: Demonstrations and Props Used in My Environmental Chemistry Class
Dean Campbell | Sat, 12/03/2022 - 21:08
Short descriptions of demonstrations and props that Dean Campbell has used while teaching his collegiate Environmental Chemistry course. Many of these examples are also suitable for use in high school and collegiate General Chemistry courses.
Secret Messages with Elmer's Glue Sticks - An Acid-Base Indicator Activity
Josh Kenney | Mon, 09/26/2022 - 19:23
This short activity uses Elmer’s Disappearing Purple Glue as an interactive introduction to acid-base indicators.
Beginning of the Year, Experimental Design and Cell Phone Use
Chad Husting | Fri, 09/09/2022 - 11:18
Use a simple experiment to get to know students, demonstrate experimental design and discuss classroom policies about cell phones.