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Nuts & Bolts | March 2026 Lights, Camera, Chemistry!
A teacher describes how he leverages his students’ social media content creation skills to implement a video-based assessment of student learning, applicable to a variety of chemistry topics.
Editorial | March 2026 What I Learned as the Parent of an AP Chemistry Student
AACT President-elect Shannon Smith shares insights she gained as an AP Chemistry teacher after watching and supporting her daughter during her journey as an AP Chemistry student.
In My Element | March 2026 From Acid Rain to Ethanol
A teacher shares how her elementary and high school teachers prompted her interest in science, and how teachers and college counselors later helped to open her eyes to her many options and choices in studying chemistry. Her high school summer work experience at a quality control laboratory allowed her to connect the chemistry concepts she studied at school with a real-life context, a strategy that continues to inform her teaching practice.
Chemistry Fun | March 2026 Don't Say It! (Gases)
In this activity, groups of students will play a game to review and practice explaining key terms related to gases and gas laws. One at a time, students will attempt to get their teammates to say the designated term, while trying to avoid saying any of the prohibited words during the explanations.
Tech Tips | March 2026 Building Better Bonds
A teacher discusses how he has incorporated 3D printing into his teaching practice as he works to better meet the needs of his students. Driven by the limitations of traditional tools, in both cost and availability, he outlines his own learning journey that has allowed him to begin designing and using custom 3D-printed learning materials and lab equipment to meet specific student needs.
Classroom Commentary | March 2026 A Glowing Obsession
This article highlights different ways a teacher uses antique glass as an engaging phenomenon in chemistry. She shares her experiences in connecting the phenomenon with nuclear chemistry topics such as radioactive isotopes, radioactivity, and radioactive decay, and in revisiting the phenomenon when teaching the electron structure of atoms.
Advice Column | March 2026 Dear Labby: Baffled by Burners
A new teacher requests help with figuring out whether the old and well-used lab burners found in the stock room can be reconditioned.
Nuts & Bolts | November 2025 Why Metacognition is Important and How I Find Time to Include it
The author presents three different strategies for developing metacognitive skills (awareness of one's own thinking processes) and discusses how she uses them in her own classroom while providing tips for other ways to use them.
Chemistry Fun | November 2025 Periodic Review Secret Message
In this activity, students will decode a secret message by applying their knowledge of terms related to the periodic table and its patterns.
Advice Column | November 2025 Dear Labby: Dubious about Demos
A teacher seeks guidance in connecting common chemistry demos to relevant content for high school students.
Classroom Commentary | November 2025 How Participating in an ACS Conference Motivated and Inspired Me
The author shares her experience of attending and presenting at an ACS conference in person — the energy, passion, and camaraderie of researchers worldwide, and the professional growth that result from face-to-face interactions.
Editorial | November 2025 Remember that Great Idea about…?
AACT Governing Board DivCHED Representative, Laura Trout, proposes a simple system teachers can adopt to help them consider and use more of the ideas they encounter during professional development.
Classroom Commentary | November 2025 You Have to Ask Before You Can Give
A teacher suggests that meaningful collaboration begins with listening and gathering ideas from others before offering your own. His journey from working in isolation to connecting with colleagues and teacher communities has fueled his growth and inspired him to create new collaborative spaces for educators.
Classroom Commentary | September 2025 Student Research Opportunities in IB Chemistry
The author writes about her experience teaching IB chemistry at an international school in Singapore. She offers a comparison of AP and IB chemistry and shares about the research opportunities for students.
In My Element | September 2025 The Winding Road That Led Me to Teaching
The author shares how her responses to various life changes ultimately led her to a fulfilling teaching career.
Editorial | September 2025 Sometimes You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know!
AACT President Amiee Modic encourages teachers to model curiosity by staying open to learning. She describes her experiences at some recent chemistry education conferences and offers tips for teachers looking for new learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
Advice Column | September 2025 Dear Labby: Cautiously Curious
A high school teacher seeks understanding about what it means to join a professional organization like AACT.
Classroom Commentary | September 2025 Spectroscopy Puzzles
In this article, the author shares about his experience developing a high school level elective science class that combines organic chemistry and spectroscopy to investigate forensic chemistry in a meaningful way.
Chemistry Fun | September 2025 Lab Equipment Card Sort & Scavenger Hunt
In this activity, students will match clues to the glassware, tool, or equipment that is best designed to be used in the described manner.
Nuts & Bolts | May 2025 Building 21st Century Skills through Lab Notebooks
In this article, the author describes how using lab notebooks helps his high school students slow down, think critically, and build essential 21st century skills through collaboration, exploration, and reflection.
Classroom Commentary | May 2025 Teaching Chemistry through Art
In this article, the author shares how combining art and chemistry through culturally relevant lesson plans increased student engagement. She reflects on the chemistry concepts covered, the unit’s structure, and the impact on her students.
Nuts & Bolts | May 2025 Lab-Based Scientific Writing, Without the Report
A high school chemistry teacher shares how she designs structured lab activity packets to enhance student learning. She also includes tips for an approach to grading that provides students with meaningful feedback without overwhelming the instructor.
Chemistry Fun | May 2025 Reactant Scramble

In this activity, students will be challenged to apply their understanding of chemical reactions by sorting given reactant species to create four correct chemical equations.
Advice Column | May 2025 Dear Labby: Supporting Future Scientists
A high school chemistry teacher searches for resources to support students who want to pursue careers in science, without an undergraduate degree.
Editorial | May 2025 Reflecting Back and Looking Ahead
AACT President Martin Palermo advises fellow teachers to spend their summer reclaiming their time, reflecting on their experiences, connecting with their purpose, building a support network, setting boundaries, and fostering curiosity to reignite engagement.