February 2025 Xchange

The February 2025 Xchange includes highlights of recent contributions published on ChemEd X along with some from the archives. We hope you will take a moment to check in to see what you may have missed.

APTeach - Don't Let Acids Make You Salty Join APTeach on February 20th in discussing using particle diagrams, calculations, and titration curves to support student understanding of acids, bases, and buffers.
	Bookend Activities to Highlight Chemistry as the Central Science This article describes how general chemistry is often perceived as a gatekeeping course for STEM students, particularly in large-enrollment settings. To enhance student engagement and understanding, this study introduces two "bookend" activities—one at the beginning and one at the end of the semester—designed to connect chemistry concepts with students’ interests and career goals.
Incorporating Climate Change Into Lessons on Metric Prefixes Learn how current research on climate change can be used in your next lesson on metric prefixes and unit conversions.
	Facile Method to Synthesize an Organic Compound Engage students in organic chemistry with a simple one-pot synthesis using the Mannich condensation reaction. This hands-on lab reinforces key concepts like reaction mechanisms, chromatography, and yield calculations, making abstract ideas tangible while building essential lab skills.
Red #40 Food Dye in a Cherry Cough Drop Looking for a simple, engaging Beer’s Law experiment? Use Red #40 from cherry cough drops! This hands-on activity introduces students to spectrophotometry and quantitative analysis. Read more for the full method and teaching tips.
	March Madness Element Bracket Revisiting Melissa Hemling's post from 2024 - In this enrichment activity, students research elements to prove that their element is the most lethal of all in the March Madness Element Bracket.
ChemEd X Call for Contributions ChemEd X invites practitioners in the chemical education community to share their experiences, knowledge and the resources they use in their classroom and laboratory.

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