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JCE ChemEd Xchange provides a place for sharing information and opinions. Currently, articles, blogs and reading lists from ChemEd X contributors are listed below. We plan to include other items that the community wishes to share through their contributions to ChemEd X.

Magnesium Citrate: Synthesis of a Pharmaceutical Compound at Time of Use

David Cash | Fri, 08/29/2025 - 10:28

This post offers a case study of magnesium citrate used as a pharmaceutical. How does adding a dry white powder to water form aqueous magnesium citrate? To understand what occurs requires students to name chemical compounds, balance chemical equations, calculate theoretical yields, limiting and excess reagents, and use elemental percentage composition. A student question set is available as a resource.

Five for the First - Part II

Nora Walsh | Tue, 08/26/2025 - 08:44

In this, the second installment of "Five for the First", Nora Walsh shares five simple activities for the first few weeks of school to help build her classroom culture. 

An Empirically-Based and Logical Approach to Teaching the Oxidation Number Concept

Michael Jansen | Sun, 08/24/2025 - 12:32

Oxidation-Reduction (Redox) reactions, also referred to as electron-transfer reactions, are common. So common, in fact, that four of the five general reaction types studied in Honors Chemistry involve the transfer of electrons. In this post, lead contributor Michael Jansen outlines three approaches to teaching electron transfer and Redox reactions. 

 

A Knowledge of Electrolysis Thwarts a Scam

Michael Jansen | Sun, 07/27/2025 - 11:55

This post describes an engaging, thought-provoking capstone activity for the Redox/Electrochemistry unit in AP Chemistry1. It may be used as a homework assignment, a collaborative in-class assignment, or as a challenging test or exam question.2 It can also be used as a hands-on and MINDS-ON laboratory activity or teacher demonstration.

 

Three Turmeric Treats

Dean Campbell | Wed, 07/16/2025 - 08:32

Curcumin, found in the spice turmeric, varies from yellow in acidic conditions to orange-red in basic conditions. This enables curcumin to be used in many acid-base demonstrations and incorporate ideas such as hidden messages and mechanochemistry.

Choose Your Framework

Erica Posthuma | Thu, 07/10/2025 - 19:30

Over the course of this summer, we will be publishing a series of blog posts aimed at teachers who are new to teaching chemistry or who are looking to refresh something(s) about their chemistry courses. Each post will feature several teachers' thoughts on how they approach topics in their classrooms, with teacher-facing examples, or artifacts, to support you in your own planning. This post, the first in our (Re)Bootcamp series, will explore instructional models that shape chemistry classrooms. The next post will incorporate smaller aspects from each of these methods, because your course can incorporate pieces of a pedagogical style without committing to adopting any one method for a whole year. Variety is indeed the spice of life, and courses that are diverse in terms of methods have the potential to be more engaging for students. That being said, organization and consistency are also important, so having a thread that weaves through all of your content to help students keep track of their learning is very powerful.