ChemEd 2025

This presentation unpacks the interactions between the ingredients in a "polydensity bottle" that contains salt, water, isopropanol and beads of two differing densities. I will also demonstrate a memorable phase change using paraffin wax.

We implemented mindset interventions targeting mindset culture through instructor messages and students’ beliefs. Our fully-crossed, randomly-assigned (n = 5,197) experiment resulted in improved equity for first-generation and racially minoritized students.

This short session will answer the question "What is POGIL?" Come see for yourself how POGIL might enhance your teaching, and how it serves ALL students in your class. 

What materials and a lab one needs to do a good demonstration? I say no lab and a roll of toilet paper, can you believe it?

Learn evidence-based methods to engage students, deepen understanding of organic chemistry, and build critical thinking skills. Gain practical tools to help students master concepts and confidently apply them in new contexts.

Teachers will be supported in evaluating and revising lab activities for safety and sustainability. Topics include hazard mitigation, chemical disposal and storage procedures, and Green Chemistry.

Participants will create interactive digital lessons using software templates created by fellow chemistry teachers.   Investigate the power of video games to engage students in meaningful learning!  No coding experience is needed--the menu-based Unity interface will allow teachers to create a game in about 1.5-hours.  Participants with coding experience can delve deeper into Unity to create customized molecular simulations that can be played on phones, chrome books, or computers.

Prior to attending this session, participants should download a recent version of Unity (2022 version recommended) onto their laptop (Mac, Windows, or Linux) using the instructions in this video: https://youtu.be/d2bFZt0lPjY?si=yX6mbyE2b1L0v_Ux (Part of the Chemistry with Unity video series made by Steve Sogo).

Three participant pathways will be offered:
1. Creating a digital 2-Dimensional learning activity by completing an Excel spreadsheet and importing the data into Unity (easy--30 to 60 minutes). No coding required.
2. Creating a molecular simulation using 3-Dimensional objects (medium difficulty--60 to 120 minutes). No coding required, but delves deeper into the Unity interface.
3. Coding molecular behaviors in Unity (harder--90 to 150 minutes). Coding experience and familiarity with an IDE such as Visual Studio Code required.

Investigate through conductivity changes, bonding, solution, double replacement reactions, & acid base titrations. 

In this session you will perform one of the activities used to Introduce Chemical Reactions. If you have access bring a Microbit and laptop. If you don’t have a Microbit bring your laptop I have Microbits to share. We will program the Microbit to share the data you gather in the activity. Before you come to this session please download and read the Pages document at URL https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c-n4cIkxwzQnBT8XSX0N5itbE78ya5oT/view?usp=share_link or read the Word document at URL https://docs.google.com/document/d/13mT98-wTZkIHbHKXVjKSVwUoUIQxerdVy_n6VHjUUzQ/edit?usp=sharing

Several activities to improve the conceptual understanding of gas variable relationships using technology and hands-on mini-labs will be presented.  And a special episode of "Batman in Chemistry" will be shared!

Using TI NSpire CX calculators, traditional, and vernier probes, participants will use labs that collect data for class analysis.

Experience molecular level simulation software that was developed specifically for high schools and the first year of college. Please bring a laptop (Windows or macOS) and participate actively.

A last chance to gather and celebrate the wonderful week we've had and look back at some of the memories created.