Latest articles, blogs, and events from the chemical education community

Isotopes Matter
Using IUPAC's Isotopes Matter as a Digital Learning Tool
// Monday, September 5, 2016 • Michelle Okroy
The first unit of chemistry, no matter your content sequence, is an opportunity to use formative assessments to identify student prior knowledge. In addition, this is also a time for your students to get an idea of your instructional approach and how they will be participating in class.
Crutches
Unit Conversions: The good, the bad and the ugly
// Wednesday, August 31, 2016 • Lauren Stewart
Like most chemistry teachers, one of the first things I go over in the beginning of the year is unit conversions. Students come into my class with all sorts of prior knowledge concerning unit conversions; some good, some bad and some downright ugly.
Solving Mysteries Through Chemistry for National Chemistry Week
// Friday, August 26, 2016 • Erica K. Jacobsen
Chemistry turns into Che-mystery for this year’s National Chemistry Week (NCW) celebration, with its focus on forensics. An upcoming free webinar will take the mystery out of preparing for it, with a wide range of resources to fit the 2016 theme.
Equilibrium
Equilibrium Lab
// Monday, August 22, 2016 • LowellThomson
Just this week I'm reviewing equilibrium with my IB Chemistry seniors after they finished some summer study on the topic. One of our classes was spent manipulating a classic equilibrium involving copper ions and a copper-chloride complex ion.
class motto
Establishing a Class Motto
// Monday, August 8, 2016 • Linda Ford
In a BCCE 2016 Plenary session, I mentioned that I have, display and live a class motto in order to give a framework to the scientific intent of my community of learners. My particular motto is a quote from Freeman Dyson: 
Knowles Science Teaching Foundation Fellowship Opportunity
// Wednesday, August 3, 2016 • Tracy Schloemer
Are you entering your first year of teaching? Or did you just finish your first year of teaching? If so, and you live in the United States, consider applying for a fellowship from the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation (KSTF). Applications are due November 27, 2016 - that seems like a long way away, but you do need to write essays and obtain letters of recommendation. It is worth the time and effort, but you may want to crank it out now (or over fall break if you get one).
miracle berries
Linda's Pick-Miracle Berries
// Wednesday, August 3, 2016 • Linda Ford
If you teach the chemistry of foods, I encourage you to purchase some Miracle berries from Amazon. These berries are really miraculous! After chewing a berry, you can bite directly into a lemon wedge, and it will taste like lemonade! YES! A component of the berry masks some of your taste buds to sweeten the experience.
ChemEd X Professional Learning Community Workshop at BCCE
// Tuesday, July 26, 2016 • Deanna Cullen
Attending BCCE 2016 in Colorado next week? Consider attending our workshop: W20 - ChemEd X Professional Learning Community scheduled for 8/3/2016 at 1:30 – 4:30 pm in Ross 2261.
molecular model kit
Balancing Equations with Molecular Models
// Monday, July 25, 2016 • mamorgan@me.com
This year I received a Hach Grant to purchase new molecular model sets for my classroom. I have been using the same old Sargent Welch model kits made of wood for many years.
NO MORE UNIT TESTS...What do you think?
// Friday, July 15, 2016 • Allison Tarvin
My students are bright and motivated. Most work hard and prepare for class and tests. They perform extremely well on district-wide tests and my own classroom tests. However, I see real weaknesses on cumulative assessments requiring high levels of application.