Chemistry

Context-based Chemistry: Benefits and Challenges

Josh Kenney | Tue, 04/20/2021 - 08:31

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Context-based chemistry aims to make chemistry learning more meaningful for students. With an emphasis on inquiry-based activities, context-based chemistry improves student interest and motivation in chemistry by linking content to real-world situations. Though the idea has been around for over 20 years, researchers are still learning the best strategies for teaching context-based chemistry. Here, we will explore some of the benefits and challenges unearthed up until this point.

Program Evaluation Part 4 – My Theory of Evaluation

Clarissa Sorens... | Mon, 04/19/2021 - 19:02

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Evaluations are part of everyday life. This multi-part blog has aimed to expand the collective understanding on what is evaluation and what are some ways that it is done.

JCE 98.04 April 2021 Issue Highlights

Mary Saecker | Mon, 04/19/2021 - 14:48

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The April 2021 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. Topics featured in this issue include: environmental chemistry; curriculum innovation; redesigning courses; representation in chemistry textbooks; public understanding of chemistry; teaching with models; visual and aural demonstrations; teaching chemistry with inks and pigments; examining the chemistry of beer; synthesis in the laboratory; improving student understanding of analysis; instrumentation; chemistry education research; from the archives: resources for celebrating Earth Week 2021.

The Magical Periodic Table and The Element Girls Series

Rajasree Swaminathan | Tue, 04/13/2021 - 08:43

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Rajasree Swaminathan has developed a series of books that combines story-telling and visual representation of the elements as human characters. Along with hands-on activities, these books have created enthusiasm in her chemistry classes.

Standards Based Grading, Final Exams and Thinking Outside the Box

Chad Husting | Sun, 04/11/2021 - 17:16

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It has been a challenging year. The challenge gave rise to a unique way to provide exams in a multitude of platforms. Check it out and do not be afraid to share some ideas of your own!

Skype with a Scientist Live

Stephanie O'Brien | Thu, 04/08/2021 - 09:31

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This year so many in-person events at school have not been able to happen due to COVID restrictions. One activity that the author's science honor society students have enjoyed greatly is the Skype with a Scientist Live sessions. Students register in advance and then have the opportunity to be face to face with a scientist.

Stamp of the Week #3

Michael Morgan | Wed, 04/07/2021 - 14:56

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A Soviet era stamp featuring a quadruple bond.

Effect of Temperature on Chemical Equilibrium using Copper Complexes

Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 04/07/2021 - 11:00

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This post describes a simple way to generate blue, green, orange, and yellow copper complexes, and to use these complexes to introduce students to the effect of temperature on chemical equilibria. The protcol avoids the use of caustic agents, allowing the experiments to be conducted by students as a laboratory-based investigation.