What if your students derived the periodic table’s masses before they ever learned about moles? This piece reframes “classic” atomic theory as a data-driven approach to building O:C ratios, uncovering the law of definite proportions, and explaining why oxygen’s relative mass is 16 when carbon's is 12. The result is a historically grounded, quantitative model of Dalton’s ideas that makes atomic theory feel discovered—not delivered.

What if the key to better chemistry review wasn’t more class time—but less lecturing? In this article, Sarah English shares how creating short, targeted videos transformed her exam prep process and helped her meet students where they are. With printed notes, embedded questions, and thoughtful accountability, Sarah's flipped classroom approach turned passive review into active learning—and made her teaching life a lot saner.

What happens when chemistry and illusion collide? In The Disappearing Rainbow, a simple acid–base demonstration transforms into a spellbinding performance. With a single pour, colorless liquids bloom into a vibrant rainbow—then vanish in an instant. Now, with the arrival of the “Assassin’s water bottle,” this classic demo gets a modern twist that makes the magic easier (and cleaner) than ever.

The August AP Teach session focused on beginning a new school year with a review of student performance on the 2025 AP Chemistry exam. Jennifer Cambre shared ideas for how to interpret and analyze the data from the Instructional Planning Reports. 

In the July 2025 AP Teach session, experts walk through the features of the online Desmos graphing calculator.

Check out summaries and video clips from past APTeach sessions you may have missed, along with information about upcoming meetings from the academic year 2025-2026!

Grading can feel tricky when school policies and student expectations don’t quite match—especially when students assume turning in all their classwork should equal an A. To bridge that gap, I created the HELP system, which lets students earn extra “HELP points” through things like going beyond the required work or scoring above the benchmark on tests. These points act as a kind of currency that students can redeem to recover from a low quiz score or a missed assignment. The system keeps students motivated, gives them ownership of their progress, and turns grading into more of a growth experience than just a final judgment.

Lead Contributor, Sarah English, outlines how she uses Canva (free for educators) to capture student ideas and misconceptions.