Matter & Change

Galinstan is the tradename for a liquid metal alloy that is comprised of three elements: gallium (68.5%), indium (21.5%), and tin (10%).¹ It behaves a lot like mercury but has significantly lower toxicity. Because of this, Galinstan is used as a replacement for mercury in a variety of applications.

In 2009, I embarked on my Science Writing Heuristic (SWH) journey to teach experimental design to my International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program Chemistry students.¹ Experimental design was new to me because I did not experience designing and executing my

As a chemistry teacher, I am constantly looking for ways to engage my students, promote community building, and reinforce key concepts. One effective way to achieve all these goals is through the use of brain breaks, short activities that provide students with a mental reset while incorporating learning in a fun and interactive manner.

Various items (hot dogs, bananas, flowers, racquetballs, plastic cups) show properties akin to glass when chilled in liquid nitrogen.^1-4 Objects such as racquetballs and plastics behave in this manner because they are made of polymers, and polymers can become cooled below what is known as the glass transition temperature (T_g) for t

Co-Authored by Dean J. Campbell* and Kaitlyn Walls* *Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois

One of my goals for my chemistry classes at the beginning of the year is to start with an engaging activity that is hands on and minds on. I hope for an activity that will meet the kids where they are at. I try for an activity that will not only engage them but try to set the tone for the year. I think I may have stumbled upon something t

The following demonstration is, in my humble opinion, the most important Chemistry demonstration, if not the most important science demonstration. It lays the foundation for what science is all about: proper experiments, properly carried out, properly interpreted.

Once the school year has gotten into full swing, and procedures in lab and with interactive notebooks (INBs) have been established, I begin the chemistry content in my class with learning about matter and how we describe it.

The first blog post of this seawater-oceanic shipping series deals with an introductory classroom activity that challenges students to predict how the composition and temperature of seawater influences a ship's buoyancy.