Describes a method for teaching reading of research literature that helps students develop confidence and understanding. Basic steps of the modified KENSHU method are divide a scientific article into sections, try to define the purpose of the article, its significance, and applications, prepare a one-page summary with key graphs and tables, and…

Describes an experiment to demonstrate Boyle's law that provides pressure measurements in a familiar unit (psi) and makes no assumptions concerning atmospheric pressure. Items needed include bathroom scales and a 60-ml syringe, castor oil, disposable 3-ml syringe and needle, modeling clay, pliers, and a wooden block. Commercial devices use a…

Describes an experiment in which chemistry students determine the efficiency of a laboratory burner used to heat water. The reaction is assumed to be the complete combustion of methane, CH4. The experiment is appropriate for secondary school chemistry students familiar with heats of reaction and simple calorimetry. Contains pre-laboratory and…

Describes a laboratory exercise involving methylene blue and L-ascorbic acid in a simple clock reaction technique to illustrate the basic concepts of chemical kinetics. If stock solutions are supplied and each type of experiment takes no more than half an hour, the entire investigation can be completed in three practical sessions of three hours…

Describes a high school chemistry class that regularly studies a local river to incorporate hands-on environmental studies into chemistry topics. This integration has proven to be a successful technique to make science come alive for students, arouse students' curiosity, and convince students that chemistry is indeed everywhere. (DKM)

Presents discussions on sources, health impacts, methods of analysis as well as lengthy discussions of lead, nitrates, and atrazine as related to water pollution and the interdisciplinary nature of the modern chemistry curriculum. (DKM)

Describes a consultancy exercise in which a small industrial company consults with a chemistry class to solve real-world problems related to chemistry and the environment. The exercise was designed to improve students' skills in design calculations, project management, information assimilation, team working, and problem solving. (DKM)

Describes the environmental health major and the toxic substance control specialization at Oakland University in Michigan. Also includes degree requirements and course descriptions. (DKM)

Presents an activity that combines the concepts of quantum numbers and probability locations, energy levels, and electron configurations in a concrete, hands-on way. Uses model houses constructed out of foam board and colored beads to represent electrons. (JRH)

Discusses modifications to general education or introductory chemistry courses that allow visually impaired students to participate productively. Describes a strategy for teaching about elements and density, and the construction of a conductivity tester for visually impaired students. (JRH)

Presents a model to explain the behavior of oscillatory phenomena found in the soda bottle oscillator. Describes recording the oscillations, and the design of the model based on the qualitative explanation of the oscillations. Illustrates a variety of physiochemical concepts including far-from-equilibrium oscillations, feedback, solubility and…

Considers the possible relations among instruction, content, and assessment. Presents a rationale for and examples of demonstration-based testing activities. Highlights student performance and reaction to these assessment methods. Contains 13 references. (JRH)

Presents strategies that use cooperative learning to enhance performance in general chemistry courses. Discusses the profile of the students and the implementation and evaluation of cooperative learning strategies. Concludes that cooperative learning in chemistry is feasible and desirable. Contains 10 references. (JRH)

Describes and evaluates a teaching strategy, designed to increase student retention while maintaining academic performance levels in undergraduate organic chemistry, that uses grade/study-performance contracts, enhanced communication using electronic mail, and cooperative learning. Concludes that a series of interventions can substantially…

Presents preliminary results from a survey taken by the American Chemical Society (ACS) Committee on Professional Training (CPT) to determine the current practices among 155 Ph.D. programs in chemistry. (DKM)