Making Science Real

......Teaching and learning science in the real world

Lab Safety and Toxic Chemicals

Lab Safety and Toxic Chemicals How can we help students work safely with toxic chemicals? What IS a “toxic chemical” anyway?   I taught science for about 10 years before even thinking about toxic chemicals. Then, one summer. I got an internship in the materials directorate at WPAFB. There, I learned what toxicity really is, […]

Science Scavenger Hunts for Biology and Chemistry

Scavenger Hunt Item for Chemistry and Biology

A few decades ago, I wrote a scavenger hunt for my AP Chem students to do After The Test. It’s gone through many iterations, and has been modified for a general chemistry class. A Biology version soon followed. It’s a great end-of-the-year activity as students must apply what they’ve learned all year and make connections among several concepts.

Holiday Hardtack Candy – A Chemistry Lab

It’s December. School is crazy – assemblies, upcoming exams. Kids are crazy. Life is crazy. You’re wishing the last week would go by quickly and smoothly. Students are just wishing for some fun.

So – what can you do with Chemistry classes for a fun winter holiday celebration?

Make hardtack candy.

Learning Ions

List of Common Ions

Somewhere during the first few years of teaching chemistry, I decided to ask students to memorize the formulas for common ions. I don’t remember why I did this.