This November Cracking Chemistry Working Group focused on strategies for teaching key chemistry concepts through engaging, real-world applications. Participants discussed effective approaches to teaching atomic structure using the PhET “Building an Atom” simulation, which allows students to explore atomic properties, isotopes, and ions without prior knowledge. Members suggested asking students how isotopes relate to daily life, including applications like carbon dating and medical treatments. The Royal Society’s Play-Doh activity was also recommended for hands-on learning about atomic theory.
The group explored ways to teach chemical bonding using a placemat activity that encourages small-group discussions before class-wide sharing. They suggested using real-life examples, such as saltwater and sugar water, to demonstrate conductivity and explain ionic versus covalent bonding. The Engineering Tomorrow program was highlighted as a valuable resource for teaching electrolytic cells, offering both supplies and instructional support. The group also discussed formative assessment tools like Kahoot to reinforce learning after the Thanksgiving break.
To make abstract concepts more tangible, participants shared interactive lab activities. They recommended using a Kool-Aid concentration lab to teach the concept of the mole, a chewing gum activity for percent composition, and a virtual Dalton’s Lab for additional practice. A hands-on ice cream-making experiment was suggested to demonstrate freezing point depression, linking chemistry principles to everyday experiences.
Participants emphasized the importance of connecting chemistry lessons to students’ lives, such as discussing the chemistry behind recent New Jersey brush fires. They also suggested using ChemMatters magazine to explore real-world chemistry applications, fostering deeper student engagement through relevant, meaningful content.
Note: summaries are written with aid of AI text software