Activities

ChemEd X activities are student-centered resources intended to aid learning chemistry topics.

ChemEd X encourages engaging activities where students (with guidance from the teacher) pose questions, analyze data, and make observations to offer a plausible explanation supported by data and consistent with physical observations.

activity
text DENSITY - A Virtual Chemistry Lab
Introducing Density - A Free Virtual Chemistry Lab Activity
// Wednesday, September 16, 2020 • Josh Kenney
As much of the world remains affected by COVID-19, some schools remain in virtual or hybrid learning structures for the fall semester. These modified learning environments have significantly restricted classroom laboratory work.
screenshot of the Atomsmith live lab simulation tool
Exploration of Gas Laws Using Atomsmith Online
// Friday, September 11, 2020 • LowellThomson
These activities were originally published in 2018 as a mini-unit on gas laws for IB Chemistry. They have been updated for 2020 since they lend themselves well to an online or flipped format. 
NaCl solubility diagram
Precipitation of the “insoluble salt”, sodium chloride
// Wednesday, November 13, 2019 • Bob Worley
I sometimes wonder why some call precipitation reactions "double decomposition". It is a term I was brought up with in the 1960s. I note that it is still very common in the States. I suppose two (double) salts are sort of splitting apart (decomposing?) and then reforming with other radicals.
rusted nails
Oxidation Argumentation Activity
// Monday, July 8, 2019 • Stephanie O'Brien
When implementing NGSS standards, the science and engineering  practice of argumentation can be seamlessly implemented through the use of formative assessment probes.
students shooting pennies at the whiteboard
Analogy Experiment—Projectile Pennies with Rutherford
// Monday, March 11, 2019 • Ben Meacham
Atomic theory is a common topic throughout any introductory chemistry course. Regardless of the depth given to the various models and the evidence that led to their creation, it’s likely that Rutherford’s gold foil experiment gets at least some attention in your course.
periodic trends student materials
Periodic Trends Guided-Inquiry Activity
// Monday, January 28, 2019 • Ann Baxley
Trends related to placement of elements on the periodic table are often taught using diagrams in a textbook. Students often memorize trends, but to get a true grasp of their meaning and what causes certain patterns is best understood when students create their own models and discuss the patterns with others.