Chemistry Solutions

Resource Feature

Using Escape Rooms in the Chemistry Classroom

In this resource feature article, the author describes her use of two escape room activities in the chemistry classroom. One activity was used in AP Chemistry as an assessment, while the other used in a first-year chemistry class as a test review. She shares her successes, challenges, and lessons learned, and encourages other teachers to try these and other escape room-themed activities in their own classrooms.

Molecules that Changed the World: A Molecular Modeling Project

In this article, the author shares about a successful culminating project that she uses in her classroom. Students select from an approved list (that ranges in level of difficulty) a molecule that has changed the world. Each molecule is one that they encounter in the real world, and students are asked to research about its uses, physical and chemical properties, structure, synthesis reaction, by-products, environmental issues, related current events, and more. Additionally, students build a three-dimensional model of their molecule, which they present to the class with an accompanying oral presentation.

Part 4: Teaching Earth Chemistry

This is the fourth and final article in a series about teaching earth chemistry. It is an examination of how earth materials break down physically and chemically, resulting in new chemistry and creating landscapes around us. The author provides an accompanying activity that directs students on how to examine their local earth chemistry.

Assessment of Student Modeling and Stages of Thinking

The author shares her experience with modeling in chemistry, and specifically focuses on the assessment of a student´s individual progress with a model. She offers examples and rubrics that address specific components of the model for teacher assessment.

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The BOSSO: A Tool for Enhanced Comprehension and Retention

In this article, the authors share about the BOSSO, a highly effective homework assignment that is used specifically with reading assignments and is designed to help students organize their learning.

The Periodic Table of Teaching Experiences

A pre-service teacher's perspective on the challenges and rewards of teaching chemistry, using aspects of the periodic table as analogies.

Making the Most of an Unwelcomed Interruption

Heather Weck reflects on the successes and challenges of the 2019-2020 school year, as her term as AACT President comes to an end. She shares some of the strategies and resources that have been valuable to her online teaching since the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools across the country. Although it has been an unexpected ending to this school year, she is hopeful in her outlook for the future.

Element Bingo

In this activity, students will play a Bingo game, crossing out the element symbol on their Bingo card that corresponds to the element name announced by the teacher. This will help students to identify element names by their symbol, and vise-versa.I