Why I Am Attending ChemEd 2019
Kristen Drury | Fri, 01/04/2019 - 08:19
I am already planning for my trip to Illinois in July to attend ChemEd 2019! Let me tell you why I want to attend.
inquiry-based discovery learning
Synergistic Inquiry
Tom Kuntzleman | Thu, 01/03/2019 - 13:46
Some research indicates that it is not always beneficial for students to work entirely on their own as they conduct inquiry-based investigations. This article explores a method of inquiry learning in which teachers and students work together to envision, conduct, and analyze experiments.
Examining VSEPR though the Cross Cutting Concept of Patterns
Stephanie O'Brien | Sat, 12/15/2018 - 16:23
In an effort to align an old VSEPR lesson to NGSS, I told my students that we were going to look at the data available from the real molecules on the pHET simulation we were using and specifically look for patterns. Finding patterns is a cross-cutting concept; one of the three dimensions of NGSS.
Pivot Interactives—A Resource All Chemistry Teachers Should Know About
Ben Meacham | Fri, 12/14/2018 - 11:31
As many teachers are preparing for the possibility of teaching online next semester, we are revisiting posts from the ChemEd X archives like this one that might be of help. As a teacher, having the freedom to create or edit something within my instruction based on the needs of my students is incredibly important to me. So, when I found out the activities in Pivot Interactives are completely customizable, I was thrilled. (Originally published 12/14/18)
Take Home Labs
Chad Husting | Sat, 11/10/2018 - 07:56
Several teachers I know have had circumstances present themselves in which they may not always be able to provide lab experiences in a traditional lab setting. They still want to provide students with rigorous problem solving situations that require students to use the scientific method. Could rigorous take home labs possibly be the answer?
Are Diamonds Forever? A Chemical Investigation
Tom Kuntzleman | Fri, 11/02/2018 - 14:04
You are likely aware that diamonds are converted - albeit slowly - to graphite under normal conditions. Thus, diamonds don't last forever, in contrast to the popular advertising slogan. However, did you know that you can use chemistry to prove that diamonds are not forever? It's simpler than you think...
There Is More to the Whoosh Bottle
Ben Meacham | Fri, 10/26/2018 - 11:59
I added an extra step including a follow up Claim, Evidence & Reasoning activity to the familiar whoosh bottle activity.
The Mole - The Charred Marshmallow Souffle Podcast
Holly Kerby | Wed, 10/03/2018 - 17:37
Tom Kuntzleman presented a story titled "Charred Marshmallow Souffle" during The Mole Storytelling Jam held as part of BCCE 2018. Listen to his podcast.
Cards to Help Model Strong/Weak Scientific Arguments
Ben Meacham | Fri, 09/28/2018 - 15:00
I recently did a short activity with these cards and I am so glad I have them now. Being able to quickly take them out and have students look at the features of strong scientific arguments when they felt stuck writing their evidence or reasoning was powerful.
Charred Marshmallow Souffle
Tom Kuntzleman | Thu, 09/27/2018 - 13:51
A new event called "The Mole"was unveiled at BCCE 2018. I told the story of how one of my students discovered how to make marshmallows spark in the microwave oven.