The August 2025 Xchange highlights just some of the contributions that have recently been published on ChemEd X. We hope you will take a moment to check in and see what you may have missed.
Over the course of this summer, we will be publishing a series of blog posts aimed at teachers who are new to teaching chemistry or who are looking to refresh something(s) about their chemistry courses. Each post will feature several teachers' thoughts on how they approach topics in their classrooms, with teacher-facing examples, or artifacts, to support you in your own planning. The first post in our (Re)Bootcamp series (see below) explores instructional models that shape chemistry classrooms. The next post (see further below) incorporates smaller aspects from each of these methods, as your course can incorporate pieces of a pedagogical style without committing to adopting any one method for an entire year.
Choose your FrameworkThis post, the first in our (Re)Bootcamp series, will explore instructional models that shape chemistry classrooms. Variety is indeed the spice of life, and courses that are diverse in terms of methods have the potential to be more engaging for students. That being said, organization and consistency are also important, so having a thread that weaves through all of your content to help students keep track of their learning is very powerful. |
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Three Turmeric TreatsCurcumin, found in the spice turmeric, varies from yellow in acidic conditions to orange-red in basic conditions. This enables curcumin to be used in many acid-base demonstrations and incorporates ideas such as hidden messages and mechanochemistry. |
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A Knowledge of Electrochemistry Thwarts a ScamLead contributor Michael Jansen describes an engaging and thought-provoking capstone activity for the Redox/Electrochemistry unit in AP Chemistry 1. It may be used as a homework assignment, a collaborative in-class assignment, or as a challenging test or exam question.2 It can also be used as a hands-on and MINDS-ON laboratory activity or teacher demonstration. |
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Five Practical Tips for Working with English Learners in the Chemistry ClassroomFirst-time author, Blake Baxter, outlines five simple and effective strategies for teaching English learners in the Chemistry classroom. |
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Strategic Shifts: Small Moves Leading to Meaningful ChangeThe second installment of our (Re)Bootcamp includes three different examples of ways you can implement new approaches without having to redesign your entire curriculum. |
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2025-26 VisChem Express Institutes: Applications OpenIn this one-day, remotely delivered, immersive, and interactive mini-institute, participants will learn how to use the VisChem Approach. The Approach fosters conceptual understanding of chemistry using dynamic, particle-level animations, combined with constructivist teaching strategies, all informed by a cognitive learning model and the latest research on learning through multimedia. Participants will also have access to a comprehensive suite of free resources and join the VisChem community of practice through meaningful and supportive engagement with colleagues across the U.S. VisChem Express Institutes are offered from September 2025 to August 2026. Teachers who meet requirements will receive a $500 stipend. Please note our first deadline for Session 1 is September 5, 2025. |
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ChemEd X Call for ContributionsChemEd X invites practitioners in the chemical education community to share their experiences, knowledge and the resources they use in their classroom and laboratory. |
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We hope you enjoy the content mentioned here and other content at ChemEd X. In addition to supporting the free content we make available, you will also get access to our complete video collection and other titles to help in teaching and learning chemistry. If you would like to contribute content, begin with the contribute page. For other questions or comments, please use our contact form.