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
Sun, 05/21/2023 - 10:50

Dean Campbell tries to use at least one demo for every class to illustrate concepts described in his chemistry courses. In this post, he includes short descriptions of the demonstrations and props he has used while teaching his collegiate General Chemistry II courses.

Recent activity: 4 months 3 weeks ago
by Amy Snyder
Thu, 05/11/2023 - 15:13

Experienced chemistry teachers offer tips for setting up labs! 

Recent activity: 1 year 5 months ago
by Josh Kenney
Tue, 05/09/2023 - 13:10

YouTube Shorts are 60-second vertical aspect ratio videos that are meant for cell phone viewing. Since they are shorter and easier for students to access than traditional YouTube videos, Josh Kenney has started creating more of them for his blended chemistry class. Check out some of his tips for creating effective chemistry tutorials with YouTube Shorts.

Recent activity: 1 year 5 months ago
by Tom Kuntzleman
Tue, 05/02/2023 - 18:48

Learn the chemistry behind the reaction between calcium carbide and water...melon...?!

Comments: 2
Recent activity: 1 year 4 months ago
by Michael Jansen
Tue, 05/02/2023 - 13:40

There are many ways that assessment can be done well. Michael Jansen shares what worked for him. 

Recent activity: 1 year 6 months ago
by Dean Campbell
Mon, 05/01/2023 - 17:26

A trip to see the 2024 solar eclipse provided the opportunity to explore ideas associated with sulfur in petroleum, sunlight intensity measurements, laser interference patterns from eclipse glasses, and large-scale light emission from excited hydrogen.

Recent activity: 6 months 5 days ago
by Jim Webb
Wed, 04/26/2023 - 20:53

Have you seen the "salting-out effect"? This interesting demonstration shows a separation of two layers in a solution of water and an organic solvent by adding an ionic salt. Although this concept has important applications in organic chemistry and biochemistry, it can also be visually stunning and engaging for audiences. Read on to learn how to incorporate this demonstration into your chemistry lessons.

Recent activity: 1 year 6 months ago
by Ariel Serkin
Wed, 04/05/2023 - 10:22

Ariel Serkin shares an activity she has explored using natural acid base indicators with her food chemistry elective students. 

Comments: 2
Recent activity: 1 year 6 months ago
by Dean Campbell
Fri, 03/31/2023 - 09:55

This timely post is a perfect fit for the theme of Chemists Celebrate Earth Week 2023! Algae is a rich topic with many possible connections to the chemistry classroom. Algae needs to take in light, carbon dioxide, and various simple nutrients and, though it can sometimes get out of control, can produce oxygen, diatomaceous earth, and other products. It can even fluoresce pink! 

Recent activity: 1 year 7 months ago
by Melissa Hemling
Fri, 03/24/2023 - 16:17

The AP with WE Service program is one way to incorporate service-learning into your AP course to improve student understanding of content and help develop the leaders of tomorrow.

Recent activity: 1 year 7 months ago