acid/base

I try to examine activities an multiple levels. First on the list, I want to know if my students will be engaged and learn something. Second, how difficult is it for me as a teacher to actually pull it off? One of the most important questions...are the students learning chemistry or just having fun?

I recently stumbled across a blog about the use of BCA (Before Change After) tables for stoichiometry written by Lowell Thomson.  I was thrilled to discover ChemEd Xchange!  I wanted to share my journey, spurred on by my students, into the extensive use of the BCA

In May, my wife and I bought our first house. It’s a charming 1970s ranch that was in good shape and not a fixer upper; however, there have been a good amount of maintenance projects on the to-do list.

The blue to white color change that occurs in the foam of Scrubbing Bubbles or KABOOM Brand cleaners has always fascinated me.  Many times I have wondered how this color change takes place.

I have a first day routine that I am very proud of. I have used it for 25 years and I think I finally have it down pat. I have spoken to students from 20 years ago at reunions and they tell me that they still remember the first day of chemistry so I think it is pretty good.

Congratulations to Grazyna Zreda who solved the Chemical Mystery of the Mentos candies! To conduct this trick, two white Mentos candies are placed in separate beakers that both contain universal indicator.

National Chemistry week 2014 will be upon us in a little over a month. As you may have heard in Erica Jacobsen’s posts, this year’s theme is “The Sweet Side of Chemistry – Candy.”

Congratulations to Andres Tretiakov who solved Chemical Riddle #2. In this particular riddle, we presented a twist on the famous “Disappearing Rainbow” demonstration. You can purchase a