Describes the design of an exercise to foster critical thinking skills in a freshman chemistry course. Emphasizes practical issues involved in the use and implementation of the rubric to promote critical thinking. The intellectual standards that define critical thinking skills are embedded in the rubric. (Author/NB)

Presents a variety of activities, assignments, and mentoring structures to address the challenges of teaching writing while at the same time delivering analytical chemistry content. Emphasizes the importance of students being able to communicate in the language of their chosen field. (Author/NB)

Describes an alternative approach to finding exactly solvable, one-dimensional quantum mechanical potentials. Differs from the usual approach in that instead of starting with a particular potential and seeking solutions to the related Schrodinger equations, it begins with known solutions to second-order ordinary differential equations and seeks to…

Discusses the proper place for hydrogen in the periodic table. (NB)

Recommends using educational technology to present images of chemical reactions to students instead of doing time-consuming live demonstrations. Uses a VCR to show hazardous chemical reactions, give instructions to organize students into groups, think about data, draw conclusions, and design an experiment. Reports that the quality of learning from…

Investigates the origins of the universal gas constant R and presents an historical perspective. (SOE)

Discusses the importance of complex molecular structures. Emphasizes their individual significance through examination of the Nobel Prizes of the 20th century. Highlights prizes awarded to Conrad Rontgen, Francis H.C. Crick, James D. Watson, Maurice H.F. Wilkins, and others. (SOE)

Describes an alternative method for exploding hydrogen balloons as a classroom demonstration. Uses the method of igniting the balloons via an electronic match. Includes necessary materials to conduct the demonstration and discusses potential hazards. (SOE)

Identifies practical ways to introduce students to thermodynamic concepts, such as heat and mechanical energy. Introduces three different energy transformations that everyone should be able to envisage. (SOE)

Suggests that most students approach organic chemistry classes with a certain amount of apprehension and try to just manage or memorize the material rather than understand it. Recommends the use of Bloom's taxonomy as a way to increase comprehension and gives an example of how to use it in an organic chemistry classroom. (SOE)

Describes the use of a standardized instrument, the Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes (SOLO) taxonomy, in an organic chemistry course at a small liberal arts college for women. Concludes that the method is a powerful tool for analyzing points of difficulty in student learning and following student progress in the understanding of particular…

Notes that beginning teachers mimic the teaching of their college instructors; however, not many of the strategies students observe and mimic are supported by recent reform efforts. Proposes that college and university science instructors must recognize their impact on science teacher education and adjust their strategies to be consistent with the…

Traces electronegativity in four fundamental areas of chemistry during the period 1870-1910: (1) the relationship between electronegativity and classical valence; (2) the relationship between electronegativity and periodic law; (3) the relationship between electronegativity thermochemistry; and (4) the relationship between electronegativity and…

Describes visual experiments that illustrate some basic concepts in chemistry and their principles. (KHR)

Presents examples of a space program and the media based on it for teaching chemistry. Discusses how to use videotapes during class to facilitate class discussion of chemistry topics. (KHR)