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Reflections from Kinetics - Solidifying Why I Teach Method of Initial Rates AND Integrated Rate Laws

Tracy Schloemer | Thu, 01/05/2017 - 19:16

I taught my students how to use the method of initial rates. I taught my students rate laws. However, they strugged to differentiate when to use what method. Upon further probing, they struggled to articulate why one might use one method over the other. They could parrot back some ideas ("The rate law tells you about the particles involved in the rate determining step of the reaction."), but I wasn't convinced of mastery and connections.

JCE 93.12 December 2016 Issue Highlights

Mary Saecker | Tue, 12/13/2016 - 14:38

The December 2016 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. Topics featured in this issue include: synthesis in the laboratory, examining and using a flipped classroom, improving labs through multimedia-based and student-directed learning, using applied math for better understanding, improving student understanding of thermodynamics, inclusive chemistry teaching, using manuscript review for assessment, climate chemistry, spectroscopy experiments, performing safe demonstrations.

Especially JCE: December 2016

Erica Jacobsen | Sun, 12/11/2016 - 19:31

Sharing the topics of measurement and the metric system could at first thought be seen as largely a visual endeavor. Students might measure the lengths of various objects and then convert their results from one metric prefix to another. Ditto mass or volume, with their respective measuring tools. What if the sense of touch could be incorporated to provide a different aspect of learning, beyond simply manipulating the objects?

Hach Professional Development Grant

High school chemistry teachers in U.S. and U.S. territories can apply for a Hach Professional Development grant to fund up to $1500 of expenses. Applications will be accepted through January 4th. Qualified expenses include registration, travel, tuition, books/resources and substitute teacher pay. Activities must be completed by August 31, 2017. Decision/notification date is February 28, 2017. 

Mystery of Matter - Facilitating Discussion

Deanna Cullen | Mon, 12/05/2016 - 11:57

I used the teacher guide for the Mystery of Matter video series to create worksheets for students to complete while watching the first two episodes. This can be used if you are leaving the video as a sub plan or if you want to assign the video as a homework assignment. It would also work as an assignment for absent students if you watch the video in class whether you use the worksheet with present students or just guide the discussion per the original teacher notes provided on the Mystery of Matter website. Using this format, you can create your own worksheets from the teacher guides of the other episodes as well.

The Mystery of Matter: Search for the Elements video series

Doug Ragan | Mon, 12/05/2016 - 08:07

If your not familiar with the video series "The Mystery of Matter, Search for the Elements" then I highly recommend their use as part of your curriculum. The Mystery of Matter: Search for the Elements is a PBS series about the amazing human story behind the Periodic Table. The videos, most of them 4-12 minutes long, draw on the interviews, re-enactments, animations and photographs that were shot and collected for the PBS series, with supplementary animations and images as needed. In all, the videos make up about three hours of programming. I shared several of the video clips with my high school students and they really seemed to enjoy them mentioning the reason was because the videos were done using actors to tell the stories and it was similar to watching a movie.

A nice quick and easy stoichiometry lab...

Chad Husting | Sun, 11/27/2016 - 17:57

Students are told that they have to determine the amount of active ingredient in an antacid tablet. Then I ask them if they have any questions. First it starts with blank stares...then slowly the questions start coming. What exactly is the active ingredient? What does it react with? They are provided information that the active ingredient is baking soda.