From hhash@vdoe386.vak12ed.edu Sat Mar 5 00:05:25 1994 Received: from virginia.edu for hhash@vdoe386.vak12ed.edu by www.ccl.net (8.6.4/930601.1506) id XAA20864; Fri, 4 Mar 1994 23:37:24 -0500 Received: from vdoe386.vak12ed.edu by uvaarpa.virginia.edu id ab14658; 4 Mar 94 23:37 EST Received: by vdoe386.vak12ed.edu (5.65/1.34) id AA12187; Fri, 4 Mar 94 23:28:48 -0500 From: "Holly G. Hash" Message-Id: <9403050428.AA12187@vdoe386.vak12ed.edu> Subject: CCL-Chem in Ed To: chemistry@ccl.net Date: Fri, 4 Mar 94 23:28:48 EST X-Mailer: PENELM [version 2.3.1 PL11] To all of you who responded: Thank you for your replies to my "plea" for demonstrations. Several respondents asked for a synopsis, so, in brief, here it is: 1. Experiments/Demos - Ignition of balloons filled with hydrogen; ignition of bubbles filled with methane; diet vs regular colas; density-float test; slime; clock reactions; chemiluminescence; scenario chem/analysis of "clues"; sodium metal in water; dry ice; flash paper; soap-boat races; perfume; carbohydrates; cosmetics. 2. Several computer molecular modeling programs. 3. Many sources, including ACS, J.of Chem.Ed., B.Shakhashiri, Beakman, and Mr. Wizard. As a prime example of cyber-misunderstanding, I failed to realize that no person on the list knew that I was being facetious when I received MANY statements of defense of the teaching profession. I was educated to be an analytical chemist and worked in the state lab. I CHOOSE to be a teacher, and to the credit of all of the profession's defenders, I, too, had teachers that were remarkably positive influences in my life. My students have already done each of the experiments/demos suggested by all of you, and it is gratifying to know that I picked some of the most memorable ones for my kids! I try to have at least one experiment each week (I rarely have demos as I believe in "hands-on"). I have the B.Shakhashiri series, but will certainly gather the other written materials suggested, and will subscribe to the pertinent listserves. Our school is very advanced, technologically. ISIS/Base & ISIS/Draw plus a scanner is on the way, and I can hardly wait to turn my students loose with that program (and an organic chemistry book)! And, yes, I also teach physics to my chem students whenever I get the opportunity. (I taught physics & chem until the chem classes got so large, the administration had to hire a separate physics teacher.) Please feel free to suggest any chemistry experiment, no matter how trivial you think it might be. If you remember it, it made a difference. Also, physics experiments, too! The reason for my request on this particular listserve was to find out which experiment(s) impressed students so much that they would remember it later in their professional careers. I thank each of you, sincerely, for remembering those exciting moments, those special teachers, and those spectacular flashes of enlightenment. For a couple of critics, I would like to point out that I don't intend to entertain my kids. I try to create an exciting atmosphere that encourages learning and independent thinking skills. I have students that can practically write a novel on "Bucky balls", and students that do not know the purpose of the second hand on a clock, in the same classroom. These are 16, 17 and 18-year olds. Not to be cliche, but these kids are our future. I take their education very seriously. Their home-lives range from "normal" to horrendous, to non-existant. I have kids that have been raped (both male & female), shot, knifed, beaten, physically & mentally abused, and molested. I have 14 female students that have at least one child (one has 3 at the age of 17). These are my students. I love them all and I doubt that they would continue to care about chemistry class if I just "entertained" them. On the other hand, I can't just stand in front of a podium and lecture them, hand out worksheets and homework. They can't "think for themselves" until I give them enough information to make intelligent choices. My first job (in my opinion - and I could be wrong...I didn't take all of those education courses) is to teach my kids to get all of the facts that are available, to always ask why & how, and to never assume any person is perfectly absolute or absolutely perfect. And, this includes me. hh -- Holly G. Hash, Inst. Brunswick Senior High School Route 1, Box 15 Lawrenceville, VA 23868