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Aqueous red cabbage extracts: More than just a pH indicator

Iain Smellie | Wed, 09/02/2020 - 09:35

The use of anthocyanins in red cabbage extracts as pH indicators has long been a popular classroom activity. Flowers, fruits and vegetables contain a diverse range of anthocyanins. This investigation explores further applications of plant-derived dyes including reversible reactions based on oxidation/reduction chemistry and other reactions to illustrate colour changes that are not solely dependent on pH change. By using household materials and plant dyes, this investigation may potentially be completed at home if necessary.

Color Changing Coke and Mentos

Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 09/02/2020 - 03:07

What's a better way to start the new school year than with some new experiments? Learn how to use a variety of color changing experiments to teach students about the Diet Coke and Mentos experiment, acids, bases, chemical and physical changes, and climate change.

Ice Cores, Stable Isotopes, Climate Change, and Chemistry

Thomas Cox | Thu, 06/11/2020 - 18:38

Ice core science is truly cross-disciplinary as it draws extensively from chemistry, geophysics, geology, engineering, oceanography, microbiology, statistics, a deep understanding of historical events, atmospheric science, and climate science. And general chemistry topics include solubility, concentration, phase diagrams and changes, and stable isotopes in addition to many others. Let's take a first look at how ice core science can be used in teaching chemistry. 

A Review of "A Global Warming Primer"

Hal Harris | Thu, 05/25/2017 - 14:20

In “A Global Warming Primer”, Jeffrey Bennett provides a template for conversation about the most pressing global environmental issue of our time. The author also recommends a link to the ACS Climate Science Toolkit that offers many useful resources for learning about and teaching the concepts related to climate science.

What to do after AP? Build and test simple dye-sensitized solar cells!

Tracy Schloemer | Wed, 05/03/2017 - 12:38

Have you considered having your students make solar cells? If your AP kids can understand batteries, solar cells are a logical next step. I usually do independent projects after AP along with final presentations, but I stumbled upon this activity the other day and my mind exploded in excitement and thought I would share. In the future, I would definitely do this with my students!

Flinn Scientific and Beyond Benign Launch Partnership to Deliver Green Chemistry Learning Solutions to Science Educators

Kate Anderson | Fri, 02/10/2017 - 13:21

Beyond Benign, a national nonprofit, established in 2007 to equip educators, scientists, and citizens with the tools to teach and practice green chemistry to achieve a sustainable society, just announced a strategic partnership with Flinn Scientific.