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Classroom Commentary | September 2021 Heterogeneous Chemistry Classrooms: Experiments in Desegregation
How do we create community in a diverse chemistry classroom? How can our classroom dynamics lead to greater social justice in chemistry? ACS Conant Award winner Shea Wickelson shares stories and ideas from her experience teaching de-tracked high school chemistry.
Classroom Commentary | May 2021 A Green Opportunity: Recycling Agar from Diffusion Cubes
In this article, the author shares about a collaborative recycling opportunity that combined biology and chemistry. Prior to the COVID-19 shutdown, a chemistry teacher and an AP chemistry student worked together to develop a method for recycling a large surplus of pink agar that had been collected after its use in a biology diffusion lab. The science department worked together to develop a method to reuse lab supplies and promote sustainability.
Editorial | May 2021 Emerging from the Pandemic … With New Teaching Tools, Strategies, and Inspiration
AACT President Jesse Bernstein reflects on the challenging 2020–21 school year, as he encourages teachers to learn from the experience and embrace their successes. He commends teachers for their versatility and inspiring teaching strategies they’ve followed throughout the year. He shares his hopeful outlook for the future, and encourages teachers to apply their new approaches in years to come.
Nuts & Bolts | March 2021 Remote Teaching Strategies that Will Outlast the Pandemic
In this article, the author reflects on four new teaching practices that he has successfully implemented in response to the current remote learning environment, and shares about how these strategies can continue to be valuable in the future.
Editorial | March 2021 Bringing Chemistry to Life through the Story of Madame Curie
AACT President-Elect Greta Glugoski-Sharp shares about her passion for teaching about the historical significance of important chemists — in particular, the great contributions of Marie Curie. She encourages teachers to integrate the important history of scientific pioneers, such as Curie and others, into their own teachings.
Classroom Commentary | November 2020 Online Chemistry: My Top Five Ingredients for Success
In this article, the author discusses the five main ingredients that led to success when she was forced by the COVID-19 pandemic to quickly redesign an in-person accelerated summer chemistry course to instead be delivered online. Twenty students participated in the seven-week accelerated class, which covered the same amount of content as an entire school year of chemistry. Their feedback, as well as that of their parents, is included in this article.
Editorial | November 2020 Tackling Change and Challenges
In this editorial, AACT Governing Board SOCED Representative Amy Nicely shares about her experience teaching chemistry labs in-person during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although her lab looks a little different today, she feels very fortunate to have the opportunity to teach students in-person. Learn about the modified procedures and new protocols that have been essential to her success.
Tech Tips | September 2020 My Favorite Technology Tools for Teaching Chemistry — Remotely and In-Person
In this article, the author highlights her five favorite technology tools for teaching chemistry, both in-person and remotely. She includes examples and tips for effective use — and encourages teachers to incorporate these tools into their own lessons!
Editorial | September 2020 We Didn't Plan for This
2020-2021 AACT President Jesse Bernstein welcomes teachers to the beginning of an unusual school year. Understanding that every teacher is in a unique situation right now, he encourages educators to share with one another, stay positive, and do their best to adapt during this unprecedented time. He highlights several helpful resources and points teachers to the latest content from AACT.
Resource Feature | May 2020 Using Escape Rooms in the Chemistry Classroom
In this resource feature article, the author describes her use of two escape room activities in the chemistry classroom. One activity was used in AP Chemistry as an assessment, while the other used in a first-year chemistry class as a test review. She shares her successes, challenges, and lessons learned, and encourages other teachers to try these and other escape room-themed activities in their own classrooms.
In My Element | May 2020 The Periodic Table of Teaching Experiences
A pre-service teacher's perspective on the challenges and rewards of teaching chemistry, using aspects of the periodic table as analogies.
Editorial | May 2020 Making the Most of an Unwelcomed Interruption
Heather Weck reflects on the successes and challenges of the 2019-2020 school year, as her term as AACT President comes to an end. She shares some of the strategies and resources that have been valuable to her online teaching since the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools across the country. Although it has been an unexpected ending to this school year, she is hopeful in her outlook for the future.
Resource Feature | March 2020 Designing a Greener Le Châtelier's Principle Lab
Are you interested in teaching core chemistry content with safer materials? This article discusses the importance of green chemistry and features a safer replacement to traditional Le Châtelier’s Principle labs, which often use hazardous chemicals that pose a risk to students and the environment. The concepts of Le Châtelier’s Principle can be effectively demonstrated using household materials of starch, iodine, butterfly pea tea, vinegar, and baking soda.
Editorial | March 2020 Instilling Engagement in Chemistry
AACT President-Elect Jesse Bernstein shares about his most engaging chemistry memories from both his childhood and early teaching career. He is a passionate advocate for integrating engaging, hands-on teaching methods in the chemistry classroom, and encourages all teachers of chemistry to provide their students with similar engaging learning opportunities.
Chemistry Fun | November 2019 Organizing the Periodic Table
In this activity, students are challenged to organize elements into the shape of the periodic table based on trends in data. Students are given a set of cards, each card representing an element, and containing five data points for consideration. The data that students will analyze includes atomic mass, atomic radius, melting point, density and electronegativity.
Classroom Commentary | November 2019 AP or IB: What’s the Difference?
The author is frequently asked questions about IB and AP chemistry, including, What's the difference? Isn't one chemistry course pretty much like any other? Based on his experiences, he provides a brief overview of the AP and IB Chemistry programs, and outlines some similarities and differences between the curriculums, laboratory experiences, and end-of-course exams.
Editorial | November 2019 Building Connections
In the November editorial, AACT Governing Board DivCHED Representative Michael Mury highlights the importance of building connections as a teacher. He shares information about opportunities for educators to grow their professional network, locally and nationally, and also offers suggestions for how to get involved.
Simulation | September 2019 Preparing Solutions
In this simulation, students will complete a calculation in order to determine either the molarity of solution, volume of solution, or mass of solute needed. Additionally the associated particle diagram for the solution will be displayed to help students better visualize the solution at the particulate level. Finally, students will gain familiarity with the proper lab techniques for preparing a solution as they are lead through a step-by-step animated process demonstrating this procedure.
Editorial | September 2019 Fresh Start
AACT President Heather Weck shares her enthusiasm for a fresh start this new school year! She shares exciting updates and new content from AACT, and points teachers to some valuable teaching resources to consider as they begin a new year with students.
Nuts & Bolts | September 2019 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.
Chemistry Fun | September 2019 NCW ChemCatcher: Marvelous Metals
In celebration of National Chemistry Week 2019, ACS has created a ChemCatcher for students to enjoy.
Editorial | May 2019 Thank You for an Inspiring Year
Sherri Rukes reflects on her past year as AACT president. She highlights some of the great progress made by AACT during the 2018-19 school year, and recognizes the important contributions of many valuable stakeholders.
Resource Feature | May 2019 Modeling Polarity
In this article, the authors share about two kinesthetic-based activities used to successfully help students develop an understanding of polarity. The first activity focuses on conceptualizing the polarity of a bond, and the second activity allows them to apply that knowledge to determine the polarity of a molecule.
Resource Feature | March 2019 Magic Monday: Inspiring Students to Observe and Question in Chemistry
The article describes the author’s use of demonstrations to spark interest and investigation in chemistry. This teaching strategy has been both valuable and popular with her students.
Editorial | March 2019 Colorful Lessons
The March editorial is guest-authored by the AACT President-Elect, Heather Weck. Heather reflects on how the theme of color has impacted her and inspired her throughout her teaching career.