Chemistry Solutions
September 2017
Featured Article
Resource Feature
Introducing the Chemistry of Color: A Resource Collection
This article highlights a set of lessons developed by a team of content writers, sponsored by PPG, using color as a general theme. The lessons use chemistry to explore various aspects of the science behind paints and coatings.
Resource Features
Lessons by teachers with their inspiration for the activity or tips for how to implement the lesson.
In the activity described in this article, students construct physical models of molecular shapes. However, students are not told what the preferred arrangements of electron pair domains are. Instead, they derive the arrangements. Students are given the opportunity to conceptualize what is happening when one electron pair domain acts upon another, and to understand how those interactions result in the molecular geometries predicted by VSEPR theory. As an outcome of examining the physical basis of the VSEPR model, students should have a much better grasp of the implications of electron pair repulsions on molecular shape, and should be better able to understand, communicate, and apply that understanding.
Classroom Commentary
Reflections and perspectives by teachers about topics that affect chemistry education.
This article describes a teacher’s journey and reflections over her 27-year career as she moved from a traditional chemistry classroom to one using modeling instruction techniques. To illustrate a central insight she gained along her journey, she describes one activity in particular, Sticky Tape. In this activity, students find evidence for charged particles smaller than an atom, and the discussion after the activity ultimately leads them to the subatomic particle we know as the electron. Making the move to incorporating modeling instruction transformed the author’s classroom and teaching style, and her students are now much more engaged in their own learning.
Nuts & Bolts
Functional tips you can implement in your classroom.
This article describes five assignments and projects that are aimed to help all students improve their English language skills.
Chemical literacy has been a journey and a struggle — both of which the author has enjoyed. The struggle has ultimately improved her teaching, and in this article, her intention is to share ideas for improving the chemical literacy of students in various ways.
In My Element
Stories about teachers finding their way to the chemistry classroom.
A teacher shares her story about her unconventional path to teaching chemistry. Read about a once-hopeful Broadway star who began college as a music major eventually evolved into a passionate high school chemistry teacher.
Teacher 2 Teacher
@AACTconnect asked:
Do you have an engaging or different activity for introducing lab safety to your chemisry classes at the beginning of the year? Let us know!
— AACT (@AACTconnect) August 7, 2017
You Answered:
"I do a breakout to make my students learn where all the safety
equipment is and learn the safety rules. It's fun and builds on
teamwork."
@Mrpchemistry
"We
do a safety drama. All of the students have lines and actions to do.
They stay engaged and I am able to stop and add more information after
each vignette.
"
— Julie Hahm
"We
jigsaw the Flinn safety contract in groups, and each group picks a
rule to make a poster out of. Then they present it, I add on important
other things of note from their section, and then I put the posters on
the wall for the rest of the year. Some posters remain for several years
because they are so good!
"
— Nora Walsh
Submit an Article
Have an idea you want to share with the chemistry education community? Submit an article to Chemistry Solutions!
Explore past issues of Chemistry Solutions
*Full access to Chemistry Solutions is an AACT member benefit. Unlocked articles are open to members and nonmembers.
Not an AACT member? Join today.
Editorial
AACT President Jenelle Ball highlights many of the exciting benefits of AACT membership as the organization approaches its third year in existence. She encourages members to get involved, and also promotes many of the valuable resources and opportunities that AACT makes available. Jenelle shares her own plan for incorporating resources in her classroom this year, and also offers suggestions about how teachers can use the wide variety of benefits to enhance their own teaching.
Video
This video tells the story of Lise Meitner, a pioneering female scientist in the field of nuclear chemistry, who was denied a Nobel Prize but has an Element named in her honor.
Chemistry Fun
In this activity, students will complete a short series of questions as they watch the Founders of Chemistry video about Lise Meitner. The video tells the story of Lise Meitner, a pioneering female scientist in the field of nuclear chemistry, who was denied a Nobel Prize but has an Element named in her honor.