Mole Day is October 23rd, this Thursday! I posted a Mole Town Map on January 10, 2014 if you want to check that out.
My awareness of Mole Day has ranged from casually mentioning it in class (or forgetting it completely) to a major celebration with snacks and a party (that particular school's chemistry department traditionally did this). BTW, the party was in a lecture room and NOT in a lab! NEVER EAT IN THE LAB!
Celebrating Mole Day is a fun way to introduce the topic and make it memorable instead of menacing.
A little history:
The term "mole" is short for the German word "molekulargewicht" which translates to "molecular weight" . A scientist was writing a paper and was required to use the term molekulargewicht over and over, and subsequently shortened it to the phrase "mole" .
So, even though several images of moles as animals are used, no, it doesn't anything to do with the vermin. :-(
In searching for activities I found a video that I think is great!
My awareness of Mole Day has ranged from casually mentioning it in class (or forgetting it completely) to a major celebration with snacks and a party (that particular school's chemistry department traditionally did this). BTW, the party was in a lecture room and NOT in a lab! NEVER EAT IN THE LAB!
Celebrating Mole Day is a fun way to introduce the topic and make it memorable instead of menacing.
A little history:
The term "mole" is short for the German word "molekulargewicht" which translates to "molecular weight" . A scientist was writing a paper and was required to use the term molekulargewicht over and over, and subsequently shortened it to the phrase "mole" .
So, even though several images of moles as animals are used, no, it doesn't anything to do with the vermin. :-(
In searching for activities I found a video that I think is great!
Love it! The math on the board does not have units, which I don't agree with, but you'll deal with that...
The demonstration that it shown is melted potassium chlorate with a Skittles candy. The brand of candy doesn't matter and a gummy bear can be used. The demonstration produces a lot of smoke and could set off a fire alarm -- when I've performed it, it was in a fume hood.
If another teacher in your department had performed this demonstration, have them show it to you before attempting it.
*If no one in your department has performed it and you want to, work as a pair (or more teachers) to practice, wear safety goggles, perform this demonstration in a fume hood, and be aware of the potential fire hazard!
FYI, the test tube used will be destroyed by this demonstration and will end up in your glass disposal. Decide if you can sacrifice that glassware before you get started!
Here is a website devoted to National Mole Day:
http://www.moleday.org/
Here's a posting from the American Chemical Society with a few ideas for activities:
http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/students/highschool/chemistryclubs/activities/mole-day.html
If students make items to celebrate Mole Day, some teachers offer it as an extra credit opportunity.
Here is a video that discusses the history of the development of the Mole measurement unit and gets into a little bit of Stoichiometry:
The demonstration that it shown is melted potassium chlorate with a Skittles candy. The brand of candy doesn't matter and a gummy bear can be used. The demonstration produces a lot of smoke and could set off a fire alarm -- when I've performed it, it was in a fume hood.
If another teacher in your department had performed this demonstration, have them show it to you before attempting it.
*If no one in your department has performed it and you want to, work as a pair (or more teachers) to practice, wear safety goggles, perform this demonstration in a fume hood, and be aware of the potential fire hazard!
FYI, the test tube used will be destroyed by this demonstration and will end up in your glass disposal. Decide if you can sacrifice that glassware before you get started!
Here is a website devoted to National Mole Day:
http://www.moleday.org/
Here's a posting from the American Chemical Society with a few ideas for activities:
http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/students/highschool/chemistryclubs/activities/mole-day.html
If students make items to celebrate Mole Day, some teachers offer it as an extra credit opportunity.
Here is a video that discusses the history of the development of the Mole measurement unit and gets into a little bit of Stoichiometry:
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I have just added a Topic List to help you to find past Blog entries you're looking for. I hope it helps!
Remember to buy my lab book "Chemistry on a Budget" -- it is available for $20 at amazon.com or $23 at 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
This book contains 13 labs using consumable materials purchased from local stores. 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.
Have a good week!
Remember to buy my lab book "Chemistry on a Budget" -- it is available for $20 at amazon.com or $23 at 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
This book contains 13 labs using consumable materials purchased from local stores. 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.
Have a good week!
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