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
Fri, 06/02/2023 - 07:58

The shapes of plastic bottles can be used to represent orbitals. Using various connectors, a bit of packing tape, and a few other more specialized touches can produce large scale molecular models that feature orbitals, sigma bonds, and pi bonds.

Comments: 1
Recent activity: 1 year 3 months ago
by Tom Kuntzleman
Thu, 06/01/2023 - 14:15

Placing dry ice in limewater is a great demonstration to accompany discussions on a variety of chemical topics, including the impact of ocean acidification on marine organisms that depend upon the formation of CaCO3.

Recent activity: 8 months 4 weeks ago
by Chad Husting
Thu, 06/01/2023 - 09:16

The candy "Toxic Waste" and "Pop Rocks" are fun ways to show changes in acid base indicators. There is also an easy way to test car exhaust with an indicator.

Recent activity: 1 year 6 months ago
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: 5 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 6 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 7 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 6 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 7 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: 7 months 1 week 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 7 months ago