November 2016

Featured Article

Nuts & Bolts

Essential Questions

Essential questions are not only important components of quality teaching and learning, but their open-ended nature can also set the stage for launching into engaging classroom debates. The author provides resources and ideas for implementing this interactive style of learning into your chemistry classroom.

Resource Features

Lessons by teachers with their inspiration for the activity or tips for how to implement the lesson.

Access is an AACT member benefit. A Map to Solving Limiting Reactant Problems

Teach struggling students how to determine the limiting reactant in a stoichiometry problem with this method. Through the use of arrows and corresponding steps, students are given appropriate guidance for completing these complicated calculations.

Nuts & Bolts

Functional tips you can implement in your classroom.

Access is an AACT member benefit. Using Color in Lectures to Aid Student Learning

Using color-based learning can lead to better visualization of chemistry concepts and chemistry problems. This articles explains the reasoning behind the technique, and provides examples of how to adopt this tool in your classroom.

Tech Tips

How to incorporate technology into your chemistry classroom.

Access is an AACT member benefit. Using Wikis to Promote Engagement in a Chemistry Lab

Wikis can be used as a technology tool for differentiating a chemistry lab so it's engaging to all students. In this article the author explains how to build a classroom wiki page to use with students. He also explores ways to assess students’ tasks completed during the lab.


Access is an AACT member benefit. Simple Technology Strategies to Improve the Lab Experience

Learn how to incorporate a few simple strategies to improve data sharing, pre-lab preparation and post-lab discussion in the chemistry lab. The author discusses the use of Google Forms, and the integration of videos and simulations.

In My Element

Stories about teachers finding their way to the chemistry classroom.

Access is an AACT member benefit. From Corporate Scientist to Classroom Teacher

Read about the author's transition from a corporate chemist to a high school science teacher. Through her journey, she discovers a desire to empower disenfranchised minorities and encourage their inclusion and success in STEM related careers.

Teacher 2 Teacher

@AACTconnect asked*:

Does your school offer Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry?

62% — Yes, and I'm the instructor
24% — Yes
14% — No

Does your school offer the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Program?

84.5% — No
15.5% — Yes

*Of 58 total responses

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Editorial

How a Little Luck and Some Get-Up-and-Go Made Me a Better Teacher

Veteran chemistry teacher and AACT governing board member Roxie Allen reflects on her teaching career and active involvement in various professional teaching organizations. She emphasizes the value of being involved, and encourages other teachers to grow outside their classroom.

Simulation

Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions

In the November 2016 simulation, students will evaluate the energy changes in an endothermic and an exothermic chemical reaction. Students will have the opportunity to compare how energy is absorbed and released in each reaction, and will make a connection between the standard energy diagrams associated with each reaction type.

Chemistry Fun

ChemistryJokes.com

Humor can increase interest in chemistry, and aid with memorization.