Blog Archives

ocean clean-up

6/25/2015

I hope your school year has ended well and you get a chance to enjoy a little bit of Summer of 2015!

For inexpensive chemistry lab ideas to expand your repertoire, buy my lab book Chemistry on a Budget for $20.56 at amazon.com or $23 at lulu.com. It will take a few weeks to get to you, so order now!

http://www.amazon.com/Chemistry-Budget-Marjorie-R-Heesemann/dp/0578129159/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389410170&sr=1-1&keywords=chemistry+on+a+budget

http://www.lulu.com/shop/marjorie-r-heesemann/chemistry-on-a-budget/paperback/product-21217600.html

This book contains 13 labs using consumable materials purchased from local stores including Analysis of a Mixture, Paper Chromatography, and Coinium (using pennies to demonstrate half-life). There are two versions of each lab, one with a ten-question conclusion and one with directions for a full lab report. This way the teacher has the option! Each lab is two pages to allow for one two-sided handout.

During the next few weeks, I will talk about some current research going on in the science community. I realize that during the school year it’s very difficult to keep up with such topics, so this would be a quick snapshot of what's being pursued.

I was aware of the large amount of plastic-based garbage in the world’s oceans, and I’m pleased that one clean-up method is being investigated. Here are a few articles:

http://inhabitat.com/worlds-first-ocean-cleanup-array-will-start-removing-plastic-from-the-seas-in-2016/

http://www.theoceancleanup.com/blog/show/item/worlds-first-ocean-cleaning-system-to-be-deployed-in-2016.html

http://inhabitat.com/19-year-olds-ocean-cleanup-array-could-clean-half-the-pacific-garbage-patch-in-10-years-study-shows/

There is a report available but it’s 527 pages! If you’re interested:

http://www.theoceancleanup.com/fileadmin/media-archive/theoceancleanup/press/downloads/TOC_Feasibility_study_lowres.pdf

There are concerns about this method as stated here:

http://inhabitat.com/the-fallacy-of-cleaning-the-gyres-of-plastic-with-a-floating-ocean-cleanup-array/

I think that it is important to examine and question proposed clean-up methods – we don’t know if there would be unintended consequences. I’m encouraged that a test patch of clean-up is being attempted in 2016.

I’d love to hear from you about further research developments – write when you can!

This Blog contains several entries that would be helpful to your chemistry classroom. Remember, you can check out the Topic List to help you to find past Blog entries.

Have a good weekend!

0 Comments

Summer 2015 topics

6/18/2015

0 Comments

The school year has ended for many – Congratulations! Enjoy your summer!

For inexpensive chemistry lab ideas to expand your repertoire, buy my lab book Chemistry on a Budget for $20.56 at amazon.com or $23 at lulu.com. It will take a few weeks to get to you, so order now!

http://www.amazon.com/Chemistry-Budget-Marjorie-R-Heesemann/dp/0578129159/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389410170&sr=1-1&keywords=chemistry+on+a+budget

http://www.lulu.com/shop/marjorie-r-heesemann/chemistry-on-a-budget/paperback/product-21217600.html

This book contains 13 labs using consumable materials purchased from local stores including Analysis of a Mixture, Paper Chromatography, and Coinium (using pennies to demonstrate half-life). There are two versions of each lab, one with a ten-question conclusion and one with directions for a full lab report. This way the teacher has the option! Each lab is two pages to allow for one two-sided handout.

Last year, I posted various items in July of 2014 about Classroom Organization.

This Summer of 2015, I plan to examine current scientific research and technology development. I am happy to gather / answer your questions or hear any current research you want to tell me about!

This Blog contains several entries that would be helpful to your chemistry classroom. Remember, you can check out the Topic List to help you to find past Blog entries.

Have a good weekend!

0 Comments

end of year reflection

6/11/2015

0 Comments

You’re probably starting Final Exams soon – good luck with your year end!

For inexpensive chemistry lab ideas to expand your repertoire, buy my lab book Chemistry on a Budget for $20.56 at amazon.com or $23 at lulu.com. It will take a few weeks to get to you, so order now!

http://www.amazon.com/Chemistry-Budget-Marjorie-R-Heesemann/dp/0578129159/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389410170&sr=1-1&keywords=chemistry+on+a+budget

http://www.lulu.com/shop/marjorie-r-heesemann/chemistry-on-a-budget/paperback/product-21217600.html

This book contains 13 labs using consumable materials purchased from local stores including Analysis of a Mixture, Paper Chromatography, and Coinium (using pennies to demonstrate half-life). There are two versions of each lab, one with a ten-question conclusion and one with directions for a full lab report. This way the teacher has the option! Each lab is two pages to allow for one two-sided handout.

Last year, I posted “Final Exams – End of Year Preparation” on 06/08/2014. It’s very comprehensive – check it out! Also, “Quizzes and Tests” posted 09/05/2014 may be helpful as well.

As you’re running around finalizing grades, cleaning your room(s), and maybe ordering items for next school year, now or in the week after school, reflect on your year -- what went well, what needs revision, what you want to try, and what you’ll never do again.

You may think you can reflect in a week or a month, and then suddenly the summer has gone by and you’re back on the treadmill. Do it now, while you’re deep in this process, on the last day of work or the day after.

Go someplace quiet where you won’t be interrupted – be able to write/type your thoughts. This is just for you, not for your supervisor or cooperating teacher – you can be honest and just brainstorm about where you are as a teacher, and where you want to be.

This is just for you, no one else (please don't post it on Facebook or email it) – and you can cherry-pick the ideas when you need to meet with anyone supervising you!

After reflection, you might want to attempt every improvement you thought of during the next school year. Although admirable, it’s sort of impossible.

Pick one realistic goal (or two) to add to your many roles as a teacher – little goals are less overwhelming and can be accomplished. Think “Baby Steps.”

Reflect on the end of your year, file it away, and enjoy your summer!

This Blog contains several entries that would be helpful to your chemistry classroom. Remember, you can check out the Topic List to help you to find past Blog entries.

Have a good weekend!

0 Comments

final exams II

6/4/2015

0 Comments

Wow, the school year is ending – it’s time to finish and clean up!

There’s not much time for lab work this year. For inexpensive chemistry lab ideas to expand your repertoire, buy my lab book Chemistry on a Budget for $20.56 at amazon.com or $23 at lulu.com. It will take a few weeks to get to you, so order now!

http://www.amazon.com/Chemistry-Budget-Marjorie-R-Heesemann/dp/0578129159/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389410170&sr=1-1&keywords=chemistry+on+a+budget

http://www.lulu.com/shop/marjorie-r-heesemann/chemistry-on-a-budget/paperback/product-21217600.html

This book contains 13 labs using consumable materials purchased from local stores including Analysis of a Mixture, Paper Chromatography, and Coinium (using pennies to demonstrate half-life). There are two versions of each lab, one with a ten-question conclusion and one with directions for a full lab report. This way the teacher has the option! Each lab is two pages to allow for one two-sided handout.

Last year, I posted “Final Exams – End of Year Preparation” on 06/08/2014. It’s very comprehensive – check it out! Also, “Quizzes and Tests” posted 09/05/2014 may be helpful as well.

You may not have time to complete a Lab Practical at this time of year, but do consider inserting long answer / essay questions to your final (instead of just multiple choice).

Students could analyze the lab data you provide for a laboratory you have completed (such as Density), analyze the quality of lab data provided, or write an analysis of student lab report provided in the exam.

You can be creative if there isn’t a state or department exam being given, just check what else is happening in your department. There could be complaints if your exam isn't like the beloved teacher who's been there 25 years.

Maybe run a test question that doesn't count for the exam but gives you feedback about student abilities for analyzing data.

I’d love to hear what you do!

This Blog contains several entries that would be helpful to your chemistry classroom. Remember, you can check out the Topic List to help you to find past Blog entries.

Have a good weekend!

0 Comments

ocean clean-up

Summer 2015 topics

end of year reflection

final exams II

Author

Archives

Categories