Chemistry Solutions

Nuts & Bolts

Tips for Surviving and Thriving in Your First Years as a Chemistry Teacher

This article provides tips for finding success as a new chemistry teacher. Tips include helpful organizational advice and lab logistics for teachers who are navigating their first few years of teaching.

Exploring Social Justice Through a Chemistry Lens

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Part 1: Teaching Earth Chemistry

In this article, the author shares some introductory information as well reasons for teachers to integrate the chemistry of the earth in their chemistry curriculum. This article is the first in a series of articles on earth chemistry, and discusses building the content, making connections with existing chemistry content, and seeing examples of the relevance of the subject.

Using the Challenge Cycle to Facilitate Learning

In this article, the author shares about her use of the Challenge Cycle in combination with the Middle School Chemistry curriculum, developed by ACS. The Challenge Cycle moves the responsibility for learning from teacher to student, and facilitates active learning as it serves as a guide for thinking and communicating.

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It’s Elementary: We all Teach Chemistry!

In this article, the author affirms that elementary science teachers are chemistry teachers. She offers examples for connecting chemistry to space science, specifically using NASA resources, as well as examples for identifying other chemistry content connections in a science curriculum.

Systems-Thinking in the Chemistry Classroom

Recent critiques of chemistry curricula have pointed toward an overly reductionist approach to teaching and learning about the central science. Advocates of curriculum changes point out that many schools and textbooks fail to help students see chemistry’s impacts within larger and interconnected systems. A systems-thinking approach to chemistry curriculum development and implementation may help both students and teachers conceive and appreciate these complex relationships. Two tools that can help teachers design and implement a systems-approach to chemical education include Science Literacy Maps and Concept Maps.