Picks

ChemEd X contributors and staff members are continually coming across items of interest that they feel others may wish to know about. Picks include, but need not be limited to, books, magazines, journals, articles, apps—most anything that has a link to it can qualify.

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pick
Flinn Scientific elearning series
Flinn elearning video series
// Monday, February 29, 2016 • Chad Husting
What am I doing to help kids achieve? How do I know when they are there? What is the evidence?
Toward roads that de-ice themselves
// Sunday, February 21, 2016 • Dan Meyers
This year in the midwest United States, winter has been a fickle friend. I haven’t seen the same amount of snow or ice as in recent years, but I still made sure I was prepared for it at our home by stocking up on calcium chloride to use as a de-icer on my driveway and sidewalks.
Mahjong Chem - Stetson University Department of Chemistry
Puzzle Games for Introductory Chemistry Students
// Tuesday, February 2, 2016 • Michelle Okroy
Over the past few years puzzle apps have been a favorite amongst high school students. Although each vary in degree of difficulty, most involve recognizing patterns in order to advance to the next phase of the game. 
"Preparation for College General Chemistry: More than Just a Matter of Content Knowledge Acquisition" - A Must Read for All High School Chemistry Teachers
// Thursday, December 31, 2015 • Michelle Okroy
Have you ever wondered why so many undergraduate students struggle with their general chemistry courses in college? Various research studies report that a third of college students taking a STEM related course will either fail, with a D or F, or withdraw from the course with the rate increasing if one focuses on general chemistry specific courses.
The Doomsday Scam, by C. J. Chivers
The Doomsday Scam by C. J. Chivers
// Tuesday, November 24, 2015 • Hal Harris
Have you ever heard of "Red Mercury"? If so, it was probably in a spy novel or movie, not a chemistry textbook. Not everyone has been writing it off as fiction, however.
woman using safe practice at the lab counter
How To Do A Demo Safely
// Thursday, November 12, 2015 • Deanna Cullen
We continue to hear bad news about chemistry classroom accidents. Please share this with your cohorts. We cannot assume that everyone knows how to be safe when performing demonstrations. 
Veritasium
Veritasium in the Modeling Classroom
// Monday, October 19, 2015 • E Posthuma
When I was a novice modeler I was constantly searching for quality online video resources to share with my students.  I quickly discovered that YouTube was rife with explanatory science videos, but I had a hard time finding ones that fit with my classroom culture. 
"Sad Pink Monkey Blues" by Hamilton Morris
// Wednesday, September 30, 2015 • Hal Harris
It is unusual that an article in a mass-market magazine includes the names and even the structures of chemical compounds.  “Sad Pink Monkey Blues” not only does so, but within a month of its publication become the first six references in the Wikipedia article on amfonelic acid (AFA).  AFA is a psychotropic drug that also has antibiotic activity, and it is
AP Chemistry Lab Manual Recommendation
// Saturday, September 5, 2015 • Tracy Schloemer
I just wanted to share a resource that I have been using since I started teaching AP chemistry last year.