Blogs

ChemEd X contributors offer their ideas and opinions on a broad spectrum of topics pertaining to chemical education.

Blogs at ChemEd X reflect the opinions of the contributors and are open to comments. Only selected contributors blog at ChemEd X. If you would like to blog regularly at ChemEd X, please use our Contribution form to request an invitation to do so from one of our editors.

by Dean Campbell
Mon, 12/11/2023 - 10:06

Discover the secrets behind flame-shaped highlighter markings that not only disappear and reappear but also glow and flicker under the influence of acids, bases, and UV lights. 

Comments: 1
Recent activity: 10 months 3 weeks ago
by Nina Hike
Fri, 12/01/2023 - 10:09

Nina Hike shares a storyline and lesson that seamlessly integrates NGSS with a culturally relevant storyline, making learning chemistry both engaging and impactful.

Recent activity: 1 week 6 days ago
by Tom Kuntzleman
Mon, 11/27/2023 - 10:41

It has been claimed that because all water ultimately ends up in the water cycle, we drink water that the dinosaurs peed out. What does chemistry have to say about this assertion?

Recent activity: 11 months 1 week ago
by Dean Campbell
Sun, 11/05/2023 - 20:56

Tissue paper can be folded and cut with chemistry-related patterns to make decorative paper banners that can be used as Mexican-themed decorations. Chemistry concept connections include lattice energy, bandgap energy, and ionic crystal fracture.

Recent activity: 12 months 1 day ago
by Nora Walsh
Fri, 11/03/2023 - 15:20

Nora Walsh asks Chat GPT to help create a list of potential phenomena to incorporate into lessons.

Recent activity: 12 months 4 days ago
by Nora Walsh
Wed, 10/25/2023 - 07:05

Nora Walsh reflects on her experience using phenomena in her chemistry courses and assessments for the first time.

Recent activity: 1 year 4 days ago
by Tom Kuntzleman
Mon, 10/16/2023 - 13:04

Igniting paper towels that have been soaked in concentrated potassium nitrate and allowed to dry yields a flame reminiscent of that produced by guncotton. Repeating this experiment with other metal nitrates produces flames with different colors, plus a few other chemical surprises! This series of experiments is fascinating and connects to a wide variety of chemical topics including combustion, redox reactions, chemical thermodynamics, and flame tests. You don't want to miss this one!

Recent activity: 1 year 2 weeks ago
by Michael Jansen
Wed, 10/04/2023 - 14:50

Demonstrate the Law of Definite Proportions by quickly and easily preparing one or more esters!

Recent activity: 1 year 3 weeks ago
by Anthony Stetzenmeyer
Tue, 10/03/2023 - 13:23

Anthony Stetzenmeyer's grading strategy provides an alternative option to offering required retakes on summative assessments. It has the added bonus of helping his AP chemistry students prepare for the AP exam while learning to cut their losses.

Recent activity: 1 year 4 weeks ago
by Dean Campbell
Sun, 10/01/2023 - 09:07

Regularly dimpled trays such as those used in food packaging can be used to represent layers of atoms in solid structures. For example, the square array of dimples in transparent plastic mini quiche trays can be used to depict layers within cubic or tetragonal unit cells. Multiple solid structures and ways to represent those structures are described. 

Recent activity: 1 year 3 days ago