Some of my Favorite Things for VSEPR
Melissa Hemling | Thu, 03/18/2021 - 17:25
Melissa Hemling shares her favorite manipulatives along with cheap at-home alternatives to help students visualize VSEPR.
curriculum
Supercharge Your Classroom with GIFs
Melissa Hemling | Sun, 02/28/2021 - 17:00
Are you having a hard time describing 3-D drawings or or showing motion of particles in your digital assignments? GIFs can help!
Whiteboarding in a Virtual Classroom with Melissa Hemling
Deanna Cullen | Wed, 01/27/2021 - 16:28
On January 26, 2021, Melissa Hemling presented a ChemEd X Talk about “whiteboarding” in a hybrid or virtual classroom. Students collaborate in small groups on classkick.com to digitally analyze data, create and modify models, and/or complete practice problems. Melissa shares how she uses the digital whiteboards to gauge student understanding and pinpoint misconceptions like she did pre-COVID. You can watch the edited recording of Melissa's Talk and access the document she shared during the presentation here.
How to Use EdPuzzle to Support Virtual and Hybrid Learning
Josh Kenney | Wed, 01/13/2021 - 10:34
EdPuzzle is a content delivery tool that can increase student engagement and metacognition. Here, we will explore how to use this application to help your students learn in a remote or hybrid setting.
Chemistry in General Biology: Is it necessary?
Francisco Villa | Tue, 12/22/2020 - 15:20
Is it necessary for biology faculty colleagues to spend a month or so covering foundational chemistry in general biology courses then for the remainder of the semester require students to only know a small fraction of chemistry covered? This post briefly looks at what chemistry is needed for general biology.
Naming and Formula Writing for Ionic Compounds Virtual Activity
Stephanie O'Brien | Tue, 12/01/2020 - 11:52
Writing formulas is one of those concepts in chemistry that requires much practice and repetition for students to gain confidence. This remote learning activity is a fun way for students to practice name and formula writing that will not be as boring as a worksheet full of practice questions.
Solubility and Concentration - A Free Virtual Chemistry Lab Activity
Josh Kenney | Fri, 11/13/2020 - 14:46
In this activity, students learn about solubility and concentration. They watch videos that explain the dissolving process, how to calculate the molarity, supersaturation and how to make rock candy. They also use a PhET simulation to explore factors that affect the concentration of a solution.
A pedagogic field laboratory for professional development: Windows on the STEM inquiry classroom
Christopher Bauer | Sun, 10/04/2020 - 23:00
Come explore the “Fire and Ice” pedagogic field laboratory. Follow suggested pathways and perspectives, or blaze your own trails. Visit for 10 minutes or for hours.
NGSS-ify Alka-Seltzer Rocket Activity - With Virtual Options
Stephanie O'Brien | Sun, 10/04/2020 - 16:22
In this lab students are given a film canister, a quantity of Alka Seltzer of their own choosing and any materials available in the room to investigate factors that affect the rate of reaction. They work with their groups to create CER boards and then the class engages in a Glow and Grow session. Tips for using this activity in a virtual setting are offered as well.
Realistic Expectations for Online (Remote) Classes
Kathleen Carrigan | Sat, 09/12/2020 - 01:45
Are you expecting too much or little of your students working from home? Perhaps this blog post will help with setting expectations and evaluating how much time your students should devote to online learning. And hopefully, the suggestions in this blog will help in lowering your stress levels.