Blogs

ChemEd X contributors offer their ideas and opinions on a broad spectrum of topics pertaining to chemical education.

Blogs at ChemEd X reflect the opinions of the contributors and are open to comments. Only selected contributors blog at ChemEd X. If you would like to blog regularly at ChemEd X, please use our Contribution form to request an invitation to do so from one of our editors.

by Nora Walsh
Wed, 10/25/2023 - 07:05

Nora Walsh reflects on her experience using phenomena in her chemistry courses and assessments for the first time.

Recent activity: 1 year 2 months ago
by Tom Kuntzleman
Mon, 10/16/2023 - 13:04

Igniting paper towels that have been soaked in concentrated potassium nitrate and allowed to dry yields a flame reminiscent of that produced by guncotton. Repeating this experiment with other metal nitrates produces flames with different colors, plus a few other chemical surprises! This series of experiments is fascinating and connects to a wide variety of chemical topics including combustion, redox reactions, chemical thermodynamics, and flame tests. You don't want to miss this one!

Recent activity: 1 year 2 months ago
by Michael Jansen
Wed, 10/04/2023 - 14:50

Demonstrate the Law of Definite Proportions by quickly and easily preparing one or more esters!

Recent activity: 1 year 3 months ago
by Anthony Stetzenmeyer
Tue, 10/03/2023 - 13:23

Anthony Stetzenmeyer's grading strategy provides an alternative option to offering required retakes on summative assessments. It has the added bonus of helping his AP chemistry students prepare for the AP exam while learning to cut their losses.

Recent activity: 1 year 3 months ago
by Dean Campbell
Sun, 10/01/2023 - 09:07

Regularly dimpled trays such as those used in food packaging can be used to represent layers of atoms in solid structures. For example, the square array of dimples in transparent plastic mini quiche trays can be used to depict layers within cubic or tetragonal unit cells. Multiple solid structures and ways to represent those structures are described. 

Recent activity: 1 year 2 months ago
by Michael Jansen
Mon, 09/25/2023 - 12:46

Michael Jansen offers test taking strategies for students.

Recent activity: 1 year 2 months ago
by Chadwick Young
Sun, 09/24/2023 - 13:05

Find out more about Nicholls State University Department of Chemistry's recruiting program involving a Roadshow and Field Days and its impact on diversity in the chemistry program.

Recent activity: 11 months 4 weeks ago
by Melissa Hemling
Mon, 09/18/2023 - 08:42

Brain Breaks are powerful tools in education, supported by research showing improved focus, retention, community building, and reduced stress among students. When structured using chemistry principles, like in the Water Maze Race, brain breaks can also introduce or reinforce fundamental chemistry concepts.

Comments: 2
Recent activity: 5 months 1 week ago
by Ben Meacham
Fri, 08/25/2023 - 07:49

This simulated ice core lab provides a great opportunity for students to use different units of concentration beyond molarity, explore how knowledge of chemistry can uncover past events on Earth and practice the skill of generating a calibration curve. 

Recent activity: 1 year 4 months ago
by Tom Kuntzleman
Mon, 08/21/2023 - 09:03

The floating soap bubble is an impressive experiment that is surprisingly easy to carry out.

Comments: 2
Recent activity: 1 year 3 months ago