Discusses an alternate path to teaching introductory stoichiometry based on research findings. The recommendation is to use problems that can be solved easily by rapid mental calculation as well as by pure logic. (AIM)

Presents the first of three invited keynote lectures from the 1995 conference of the New England Association of Chemistry Teachers. Discusses the relevance of the history of chemistry to the teaching of chemistry. Contains 27 references. (DDR)

Focuses on the history of the organization of chemical principles in chemistry textbooks. Describes a higher-order organizing principle, based in chemical logic and understanding, from which topics and order of presentation are derived. Provides an example of a biochemistry curriculum developed using this organizing principle. (DDR)

Focuses on the effects of the lack of coordination in the teaching of introductory subjects in chemistry, biology, and physics. Argues that some of the more interesting topics in these fields lie on the border with another field. For example, biochemistry topics may be more interesting to students than chemistry or biology topics. (DDR)

Describes a variation of typical introductory chemistry stoichiometry experiments in which the reaction is run in a modified 20-ounce plastic soda bottle. (WRM)

Discusses the chemistry of marine ecosystems, particularly with regard to the Hawaiian islands. Contains 31 references. (WRM)

Reports on a technique for illustrating the dependence of the rate of reaction on the concentration of the reactants and for determining the order of reaction with respect to each reactant, the overall order of reaction, the reaction rate constant, and the half-life. (WRM)

Surveys the roots of the common names of organic compounds most likely to be encountered by undergraduate organic chemistry students. Includes information for 19 amino acids, 17 aromatic compounds, and 21 carboxylic acids. (WRM)

Discusses mathematical and physical evidence that air consists of a tiny volume of particles moving at an average speed of over 1000 miles per hour. (WRM)

Uses charcoal briquettes, ammonia, water, table salt, and laundry bluing to create white fluffy crystals. Briquettes are placed in a bowl while the remaining ingredients are mixed together and poured over the briquettes. The result is white fluffy crystals forming on top of the charcoal. This experiment dramatizes chemical reactions to…

Investigates how students develop an understanding of chemical representations with the aid of a computer-based visualizing too called eChem that allows them to build molecular models and view multiple representations simultaneously. Involves 11th grade students (n=71) at a small public high school and examines the changes in students'…

Shows how a common demonstration that consists of slowly heating sulfur powder in a test tube to illustrate sulfur's allotropic modifications can convince students of conclusions about the moon Io which they often find surprising. Describes the demonstration in full. (Author/MM)

Investigates the effects of web-based instructional materials on students' understanding of chemical concepts. Uses interviews with students, concept mapping, and a free-response survey for the study. (YDS)

The main research question of this study was: How do selected high school chemistry students' understandings of the elements, structure, and periodicity of the Periodic Table change as they participate in a unit study consisting of inquiry-based activities emphasizing construction of innovative science graphics? The research question was answered…

Theory suggests that studying worked examples and engaging in self-explanation will improve learning and problem solving. A growing body of evidence supports the use of web-based assessments for improving undergraduate performance in traditional large enrollment courses. This article describes a study designed to investigate these techniques in a…