Dear Why do Moles Matter,

I too have had difficulty helping students understand the meaning of the mole in chemistry and how it is relevant. One activity that I have found to be successful to help students create a basic understanding is Calculating Moles in Daily Life. In the activity, students complete mole calculations based on common items that they physically hold and measure which helps them to make a concrete connection.

I also emphasize that solving mole calculations is a problem-solving skill. There is a great Chemistry Solutions article about this topic. It’s called Ditch Your Step-by-Step Procedures: Teach Students to Understand the Chemistry. I agree with the author, who says, “The solution to any problem requires a series of steps, but if you are only taught the steps, then you will never truly understand the concept.” The examples that he provides in the article are also very relevant to your question.

As your students begin to understand the basics, I suggest using some engaging labs or projects that challenge them to apply their understanding of the mole in order to achieve a goal. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Chemical Reaction Soda Bottle Boat Race: This lab includes a competitive aspect as students design and build a soda bottle boat with the goal of having the fastest boat to get to the other end of the rain gutter racetrack. They have to apply their understanding of the mole in order to complete stoichiometric calculations and determine an appropriate amount of “fuel” (baking soda + vinegar) to power their boat.
• Another fun option is the lab, Investigating the Self-Inflating Balloon. Students are usually familiar with the balloon already, as they are often sold as a “Whack-a-Pack” or party favor. They are tasked with using their knowledge of gas laws, moles, and stoichiometry in order to determine the quantities of reactants used to inflate the balloon by the manufacturer.
• Lastly, I find that students are enthusiastic during the lesson, Chemical Analysis of Martian Rocks. They are engaged by the scenario based on the landing of the Curiosity Mars Rover because it has the ability to record information from rocks on the Martian surface. This lesson allows them to see a real-world application of mole calculations as they apply their understanding to determine the composition of a Martian Rock!

Whenever I can, I try to provide practical learning opportunities that lead students to that brief "aha" moment—like using the mole concept and stoichiometry to solve a real-world problem. I hope you find these strategies and suggestions are beneficial in your classroom as well.

Yours in Chemistry,

Labby