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PhET has a new Logo, so what does that mean?
Is PhET still free to use? Yes, but you can always make donations or encourage others. https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/1437859Have you been following our progress on creating next-generation PhET...
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Types of Chemical Reactions
I expect that most high school chemistry teachers assign some type of laboratory related to types of chemical reactions including synthesis, decomposition, single replacement and double replacement...
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Connecting and Collaborating with ACS
As this is my first blog post, I’d like to introduce myself to the ChemEdX community. I currently teach Chemistry I, Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry, and AP Chemistry at The University High...
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The power of seeing the chemistry in action
As I maneuver through the school year, a certain rhythm develops. The start of the year brings the excitement of new classes and new students. I'm often trying new things in the fall as I've reflected...
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ChemClub FUN
I am excited with my student's response to offering an ACS ChemClub at our high school! ACS does a great job of providing materials and ideas for meetings. They sent iron ons that my students were busy...
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Whoosh Bottle, take 1
My students and I intend to use a high-speed camera to film a variety of chemistry experiments in slow motion. The first reaction we have decided to film is the “Whoosh Bottle”. You can read more...
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“Dear Soap Boat 2.0…”
A fan letter for a chemistry experiment? Well, yes. I read Tom Kuntzleman’s blog post “Soap Boat 2.0” over four months ago and immediately bookmarked it. One of my regular projects is to develop...
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JCE 91.02—February 2014 Issue Highlights
Fostering Engagement in NanotechnologyThe Feburary 2014 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. The February issue issue features a range of articles on...
View ArticleACS Publishes Safety Alert
SAFETY ALERT: The “Rainbow” DemonstrationOn January 2, 2014 a demonstration known as the “Rainbow” experiment using a flammable solvent on an open bench resulted in a tragic incident with two high...
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Nail Bottle Demonstration in Slow Motion
The nail bottle demonstration1 is one that many of us have conducted in our classes. To perform this demonstration, 2 – 3 mL of ethanol is placed into a plastic bottle that has two nails punctured into...
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Painting a Fair Picture of Science
“How Much Turmoil Does the Science Project Cause Families?” reads the tongue-in-cheek science-fair-style poster illustrating parent Susan Messina’s views on science fairs. Her materials list includes:...
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Traxoline
It's interesting to me how a word can define a class. The longer I teach, the more excited and quickly I can cover a concept. However, this pace does not necessarily fit well with my students, so we...
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Reading Non-Fiction Within a Grade 10 Chemistry Class
As chemistry teachers, there are many ways we can relate our subject to the world around us. Linking with an effort to increase literacy at my school, I've started reading a non-fiction book with one...
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Socratic Questioning (Whiteboarding Part II)
In my last article I described several different strategies you could use in your classroom to integrate the use of whiteboards. Whiteboarding can be a powerful tool for increasing student engagement...
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Compound Interest
Compound InterestHave you ever been curious about the chemistry of a lemon? What about the chemical structures of adrenaline, dopamine, or serotonin? Would you like to share with your students the...
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JCE 91.03—March 2014 Issue Highlights
Teaching Chemistry and Making a DifferenceThe March 2014 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. The March issue features: changing the curriculum to make...
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By the Numbers
How many likes does your page have? How many followers do you have? How many reads for that particular blog post? Page views? Downloads? Number of times cited? Impact factor? In the online world, much...
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Using Twitter for a Backchannel Chat During a Fish Bowl Discussion
In a previous post, I discussed the work of my grade 10 class as we read the non-fiction story, The Case of the Frozen Addicts. We've continued working our way through the book, taking one class every...
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Pyrex by any other name...
Did you know that Pyrex glassware used in chemistry labs is different than Pyrex glassware used in kitchens? Pyrex glass used in chemistry experiments is made of borosilicate glass, whereas the Pyrex...
View ArticleChemistry in Past and New Science Frameworks and Standards: Gains, Losses,...
I've read this recent JCE article a couple times and have been thinking about its potential impact on our K12 community as we begin to consider the challenges and the opportunities associated with the...
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