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lucky iron fish

12/28/2015

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​
I hope you’re having a good vacation – you've earned it!
 

You might have received an amazon.com gift card or other monies for the holidays – you can use some of it to purchase the lab book Chemistry on a Budget.
 
This book contains inexpensive chemistry labs to expand your repertoire.  You can buy this lab book for $23 at amazon.com or lulu.com.
 

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
 
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. 
 

It will take a week or so to get to you, so Order Now!
 
*Some of you have purchased my lab book – be sure to check out Page 141 !
 
The Periodic Table is an essential tool for the study of Chemistry.  Past blog posts include:

02/23/2014      The Periodic Table
04/01/2015      NOVA video "Hunting the Elements" (2012)
12/03/2015      Periodic Table Trend Activities
12/11/2015      Video: "The Mystery of Matter" (2015)

As well as:
09/24/2015      Facts about the element Mercury
12/17/2015      Current Event -- Lead Poisoning
 
As you discuss the elements of The Periodic Table, various health benefits or concerns can be topics of discussion.  Recently, there was a report on National Public Radio about iron supplements and the development of the “Lucky Iron Fish” :

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/12/25/434942455/in-cambodia-lucky-iron-fish-for-the-cooking-pot-could-fight-anemia
 
According  to the American Society of Hematology:
“Iron [Fe] is very important in maintaining many body functions, including the production of hemoglobin, the molecule in your blood that carries oxygen. Iron is also necessary to maintain healthy cells, skin, hair, and nails.
​
Iron from the food you eat is absorbed into the body by the cells that line the gastrointestinal tract; the body only absorbs a small fraction of the iron you ingest. The iron is then released into the blood stream, where a protein called transferrin attaches to it and delivers the iron to the liver. Iron is stored in the liver as ferritin and released as needed to make new red blood cells in the bone marrow. When red blood cells are no longer able to function (after about 120 days in circulation), they are re-absorbed by the spleen. Iron from these old cells can also be recycled by the body.”

http://www.hematology.org/Patients/Anemia/Iron-Deficiency.aspx
According this this site:
“Iron deficiency is very common, especially among women and in people who have a diet that is low in iron.”
 
Here is a 7-minute YouTube talk by Gavin Armstrong, the inventor of the “Lucky Iron Fish” :
Here is the website describing and selling the “Lucky Iron Fish”
http://www.luckyironfish.com/
 
 “Foods rich in iron include:
  • Red meat
  • Pork
  • Poultry
  • Seafood
  • Beans
  • Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach
  • Dried fruit, such as raisins and apricots
  • Iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas
  • Peas
Your body absorbs more iron from meat than it does from other sources. If you choose to not eat meat, you may need to increase your intake of iron-rich, plant-based foods to absorb the same amount of iron as someone who eats meat. “
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/basics/prevention/con-20019327
 
Many foods are supplemented with iron to avoid anemia. These include Iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas.
 
Here is a 6 ½ minute video showing a magnet removing the iron in breakfast cereal:
This demonstration is accomplished with a neodymium magnet – the magnets available to you may not be strong enough.  Check in your department to see if the Earth Science teachers have any that you can borrow!
 
Here is a Scientific American article describing an experiment showing the iron in cereal:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/get-the-iron-out-of-your-breakfast-cereal-bring-science-home/
This lab doesn’t use a blender but a plastic bag.
 
You might want to complete this as a demonstration instead of a class lab.  I’d love to hear how it works in your classroom!
 
*Remember, 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.
 
Also, 
Write To Me about your successes, challenges, or questions in the Chemistry Classroom.
 
You might have received an amazon.com gift card or other monies for the holidays – you can use some of it to purchase the lab book Chemistry on a Budget which is very useful to your Chemistry classroom with labs and class article ideas.


Happy New Year!
​
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current event -- lead poisoning

12/17/2015

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Wow, the holiday break is approaching.   Congratulations on your school year so far!  Great job!
 
You might get an amazon.com gift card or other monies for the holidays – you can use some of it to get the lab book Chemistry on a Budget.
 
This book contains inexpensive chemistry labs to expand your repertoire.  You can buy this lab book for $23 at amazon.com or lulu.com.
 

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
 
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. 
 

It will take a week or so to get to you, so Order Now!
 
*Some of you have purchased my lab book – be sure to check out Page 141 !
 
I previously posted about the problems with the drinking water in Flint, Michigan on
10/08/2015. 
 
From that blog post:
 
“The city of Flint, Michigan changed its source of drinking water about 1 ½ years ago, leading to E Coli contaminated water being delivered through pipes containing lead (Pb). 
 
‘…Flint, unable to come to an agreement on a short-term contract with Detroit, quit buying water from its system and signed on with a new system that will draw water from Lake Huron.’

http://www.npr.org/2015/09/29/444497051/high-lead-levels-in-michigan-kids-after-city-switches-water-source
…
‘Doctors are finding elevated levels of lead in the children in Flint, Mich., and local tap water is the likely cause.  That's the latest alarming news to come out of the city, which
switched its water source about a year and a half ago.’
http://www.npr.org/2015/09/29/444497051/high-lead-levels-in-michigan-kids-after-city-switches-water-source
 
 ‘It appears that the toxic metal [lead] had been entering drinking water through corroded pipes and plumbing materials, according to 
Flintwaterinfo.com.’
http://ecowatch.com/2015/10/07/flint-michigan-lead-contamination/”
 
A few days ago, on Tuesday, 12/15/2015, a
State of Emergency was declared in Flint, Michigan because of the high lead levels found in the blood of resident children:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/12/15/toxic-water-soaring-lead-levels-in-childrens-blood-create-state-of-emergency-in-flint-mich/
 
This article states that, “[a]ccording to the
World Health Organization, ‘lead affects children’s brain development resulting in reduced intelligence quotient (IQ), behavioral changes such as shortening of attention span and increased antisocial behavior, and reduced educational attainment. Lead exposure also causes anemia, hypertension, renal impairment, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs. The neurological and behavioral effects of lead are believed to be irreversible.’ ”
 
This story was presented 12/15/2015 in several national news  broadcasts:
 

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/flint-michigan-declares-state-emergency-amid-lead-drinking-water-scare-n480636
 
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/flint-michigan-issues-state-emergency-threat-lead-poisoning/story?id=35774029
 
“While lead poisoning cannot be reversed, experts say that the right kind of nutrition, parenting and community services can mitigate the worst damage: learning disabilities, speech deficits and severe behavior problems in the coming years.”

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/10/25/lead-poisoning-flint-water/74599112/
 
Residents are concerned about the permanent damage on their children, the future effects of the lead contaminated drinking water, and the efficacy of the filters provided by the city.
 
I post about this topic only because it’s a timely issue that was discussed earlier. 
 
On a lighter note, if you are looking for
Holiday Class Activities, check out my blog post dated 11/20/2015.
 
Next week, many of you will be travelling and/or celebrating Christmas that Thursday/Friday. 
I won’t post that week, but my next blog post will be around Tuesday, 12/29/2015.
 
*Remember, 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.
 
Also, 
Write To Me about your successes, challenges, or questions in the Chemistry Classroom.
 

You might get an amazon.com gift card or other monies for the holidays – you can use some of it to purchase the lab book Chemistry on a Budget which is very useful to your Chemistry classroom with labs and class article ideas.


Have a great holiday!
​
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video: "the mystery of matter" (2015)

12/11/2015

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Just a few weeks left until the holiday break – I hope December is treating you well!
 
For inexpensive chemistry labs to expand your repertoire, buy my lab book
Chemistry on a Budget for $23 at amazon.com or lulu.com.
 

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
 
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. 
 

It will take a week or so to get to you, so Order Now!
 
*Some of you have purchased my lab book – be sure to check out Page 141 !
 
I’m a big fan of the History of Science and I just viewed a 2015 video by National Geographic titled
“The Mystery of Matter: Search For the Elements” .
 
It is 3 episodes, each about 55-60 minutes.  The DVD also contains Bonus Videos about 5 minutes long that expand on the 7 scientists of focus.
 
The videos could be shown in segments for topics that are appropriate.  Here is an Internet link to various sections, including full episodes:
 

http://video.pbs.org/search/?q=The%20Mystery%20of%20Matter&program=The%20Mystery%20of%20Matter
 
Some segments are just previews, so be sure what you are choosing!
 
Here is a brief summary of the 3 episodes.  Each highlights 2-3 scientists, but many others are mentioned as various discoveries are made.  Students could gather information and prepare a timeline as a class.  Maybe students are assigned the various names so that each is responsible for 1 or 2; then, they could share the information – in groups or on the chalkboard.

  “Out of Thin Air” – focuses on early discoveries of Gases


http://video.pbs.org/video/2365543486/ 

​The highlighted scientists are Joseph Priestley, Antoine Lavosier and Humphrey Davy.  It focuses on the 18th century discoveries about substances, especially gases.

An interesting fact from the video is that Joseph Priestley invented carbonated water.
 
I do notice that much of the work being done is without eye protection as they are depictions of earlier scientific work.  It might be useful to mention why the laboratory safety elements are not being used. 
 
Another safety concern is when Humphry Davy inhaled the various gases he produced, not knowing what they would do to him.  I cringe a little when I watch that depiction.



“The Mystery of Matter” – focuses on development of The Periodic Table and early work on Radioactivity.
 
http://video.pbs.org/video/2365539203/
 
The highlighted scientists are Dmitri Mendeleev (mid 19th century) and Marie Curie (early 20th century). 
 
The first 25 minutes about Mendeleev could be useful to introduce or reinforce work on The Periodic Table.
 
Starting around 28 minutes, Marie Curie is highlighted in her discovery of Radium.
 
I cringe again at the exposure to radioactivity in her work, and they don’t mention her later death from leukemia from her long-term exposure.  Fortunately, in the Bonus Video titled “The Radium Craze” (5:32 minutes) they discuss that issue and the illnesses that developed in Curie and “the Radium Girls” .
 

http://video.pbs.org/video/2365538147/


“Into the Atom” – focuses on the research determining Atomic Structure and early work Nuclear Fission.

http://video.pbs.org/video/2365543501/

The highlighted scientists are Harry Moseley (early 20th century) and Glenn Seaborg (during WWII in the 1940s). 
 
There is a brief focus on Ernest Rutherford’s laboratory and work, and a brief animation of his gold foil experiment.
 
Harry Moseley’s work ends up reordering the Periodic Table by number, not weight per Mendeleev.
 
This section about Moseley was truly enlightening to me because it describes his work and how important it was to the current Periodic Table.  I admit that I only mentioned him briefly in my classes.  I was not familiar with his experimental work and did not discuss it.
 
During the later section about Glenn Seaborg, more is mentioned about developments on Atomic Structure and the creation of elements past Uranium.
 
It’s very interesting to see how World War II influenced this development of a nuclear weapon.  Perhaps there could be a discussion or class research about the pros and cons of the development of this weapon.
 
A Bonus Video titled “A Chemist Goes to War” (a little over 5 minutes) is about Glenn Seaborg’s work on The Manhattan Project and it’s importance to World War II.
 

http://video.pbs.org/video/2365538166/
 
One student activity could be to write down 5 facts from the video for assignment credit.  Maybe Bonus points could be given for facts that are different from the rest of the class.
 
Fortunately, this video is available online – if you have the ability to project the Internet in your classroom, it is readily available for use.
 
Your school may not have this available.  Check with your school library to see if it has been acquired so you can use it.  If not, see how its purchase can be requested.
 
You may wish to purchase your own personal copy of this video.  It’s $20 (plus tax and shipping) and is useful to have available at your convenience. 
 

http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=68576556

You may teach at different schools and not have access to this video series for use in your classroom – it might be a worthwhile investment.
 

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.

The lab book
Chemistry on a Budget is very useful to your Chemistry classroom with labs and class article ideas.
Order Soon! 

Also, 
Write To Me about your successes, challenges, or questions in the Chemistry Classroom.
 

Have a great weekend!

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periodic table trend activities

12/3/2015

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I hope you had a great Thanksgiving vacation – now it’s just a few weeks to the December holiday break!
 
For inexpensive chemistry labs to expand your repertoire, buy my lab book
Chemistry on a Budget for $23 at amazon.com or lulu.com.
 

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
 
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. 
 

It will take a week or so to get to you, so Order Now!
 
*Some of you have purchased my lab book – be sure to check out Page 141 !
 
I previously posted about The Periodic Table on 02/23/2014. This post contains a blank Periodic Table form that is useful for teaching about features on the table and trends.
 
One activity that is useful for learning Periodic Table Trends can be a paper/pencil and ruler lab.  It can be useful as a “discovery” lab which is later reinforced by classroom lecture.  In an effort to reduce paper usage, most of the resources listed below are 2 pages.
 
Here is a lab requiring graph paper and colored pencils:

http://www.sciencegeek.net/Chemistry/chempdfs/PeriodicTrends.pdf
 
This lab contains simple pages of axes and necessary values to graph the trends in the Periodic Table.

http://www.nclark.net/PTableTrends.htm
 
This activity requires Internet access to look up the Periodic Table values; perhaps it could be a Homework or Extra Credit assignment:

http://www.somerset.k12.ky.us/userfiles/249/Classes/12379/Periodic%20Trends%20ComputerActivity%20Makeup%20Assignment-0.pdf
 
Here is another Internet-based lab to get information about Periodic Table trends:

http://schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us/cms/lib08/GA01000549/Centricity/Domain/7044/periodic%20trends%20internet%20activity.pdf
 
This is a “mini-lab” focusing on atomic radius and ionization energy:

http://www.kwanga.net/chemnotes/periodic-trend-graph-lab.pdf
 
Finally, here is an Internet activity quizzing students on trends using a Periodic Table as a reference:

http://www.sciencegeek.net/Chemistry/taters/Unit2PeriodicTrends.htm
   
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.

The lab book
Chemistry on a Budget is very useful to your Chemistry classroom with labs and class article ideas.
Order Soon! 

Also, 
Write To Me about your successes, challenges, or questions in the Chemistry Classroom.
 

Have a great weekend!
​
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    Author

    Marjorie R. Heesemann is a chemistry teacher with 15 years of experience who is now working to develop resources for the Chemistry classroom.

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