Chemistry Solutions
September 2016
Featured Article
Resource Feature
The Chemistry of Cars: An Adventure in Resource Creation
Learn about the exciting Chemistry of Cars project, and the content writing team responsible for creating 19 new amazing classroom resources!
Resource Features
Lessons by teachers with their inspiration for the activity or tips for how to implement the lesson.
One of the critical skills expected from any science graduate is the ability to write coherent and meaningful laboratory reports. Many chemistry students come to their first- and even second-year classes with an incomplete understanding of how to write high quality formal lab reports. We have developed some tools and strategies that may be helpful in this endeavor.
Classroom Commentary
Reflections and perspectives by teachers about topics that affect chemistry education.
Chemistry teachers often find themselves in the center of the STEM programs within their schools. In this article, we look at what STEM education means and what the focus of our STEM programs should be. The roles of the chemistry teacher and the chemistry classroom are key to the STEM agenda, and we see how our curriculum contributes to a STEM-prepared workforce.
Creating a Community in the Chemistry Classroom
Good educators want to design their courses to ensure that every student finds some success, is able to take ownership, and leaves their chemistry class with a stronger sense of community. A guidance counselor may place a student in a classroom, but a sense of belonging, independence and mastery will give them reasons to take ownership and find success. This article explains a few ways in which the author has designed her classroom and chemistry courses to achieve these goals. By Kathleen Bernat
Nuts & Bolts
Functional tips you can implement in your classroom.
Want to hit the ground running as a new AP chemistry teacher? While there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach to tackling the delivery of an AP chemistry course, here are ten basic things you can do to help yourself before the school year gets underway.
Keeping the Wow Factor, and Controlling the Risks
This article reviews the safety problems inherent in the “traditional” rainbow experiment and similar demonstrations, the responses from various organizations, and safer alternatives.
In My Element
Stories about teachers finding their way to the chemistry classroom.
A teacher's educational methods and strategies are developed from many sources over the course their career. This article addresses five essential lessons the author learned from other teachers.
Teacher 2 Teacher
@AACTconnect asked:
What's the *best* back to school chemistry demo?
— AACT (@AACTconnect) August 18, 2016
You answered:
"Exploding coffee can! Let's have them draw particle diagrams from day one"
@aserkin
"The collapsing can! It's fast, easy, and it makes students think and ask questions!"
@CoanChem
"The Whoosh Bottle"
@mstalorscience
"Elephant's Toothpaste"
@ChemMomAK
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Editorial
The beginning of a new school year is here, and AACT President Scott Hawkins fondly recalls navigating his first year in the chemistry classroom, 22 years ago. Whether you’re a veteran teacher or are new to the classroom, AACT is a great place to find reliable teaching ideas, professional development opportunities, and many other valuable resources.
Simulation
In the September 2016 simulation, students investigate both ionic and covalent bonding. Students will have the opportunity to interact with many possible combinations of atoms and will be tasked with determining the type of bond and the number of atom needed to form each. Students will become familiar with the molecular formula, as well as the naming system for each type of bond and geometric shape, when applicable.
