Days 49-65: Precipitation, ReDox, Thermodynamics, etc.

Given a myriad of extremely good, yet very time consuming things going on in my life this month (expecting twin boys, moving, etc.) I did what I told myself I WOULD NOT DO: I slipped on posting a classroom update to this blog each day. In lieu of accessing my slightly perfectionist side by visiting my lesson plan journal and posting 16 separate updates, I thought a simple reflection with a few pictures would do.

Upon conclusion of the acid-base equilibrium unit, I moved directly into solubility equilibrium for the first time. This led into ReDox chemistry with an emphasis on Galvanic Cells, then into an analysis of the chemistry of chargeable vs. rechargeable batteries. Salt-Bridge analysis in various batteries opened up space for us to re-visit precipitation in the context of anode/cathode solution reactions with salt bridge ions.

ReDox led to combustion reactions and calorimetry which fed nicely into Thermodynamics. Outside of the classroom, I took our STEM scholars to Autodesk for a field trip to look their "Imagine-Design-Create" ethos and help students gain a more thorough understanding of the 3D printer we recently acquired from a generous donor. The below pictures are just a few examples of the past 16 days of class and life at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Apologies for the lag-time.

Day 48: Buffers

Introduced buffers today but so excited with the thought of next week's lesson! Going to have students investigate the components of buffered vs. regular aspirin. Thinking about simply grinding each, putting them in water and monitoring change in pH via vernier probe. More soon.

Days 41-46: More Titration

Find myself making a big stink about titration this year. We have done at least one titration each day over the last week and I'm gearing up for a qualitative review of buffers. Never seek to teach acid/base equilibrium corr stay and trying to take a more algorithmic approach with calculations to automate the quantitative moves faster in hopes of greater conceptual understanding. In search of a true connection to viticulture and enology I can do in class as well.

Day 40: New Tables!

Check out the new tables we got!

Day 39: Titration cont.

Continue titration activity by standardizing an unknown concentration of aqueous KHP.

Day 38: Titration

Began reactions unit by pitching titration as the central lab technique. I have a goal of TRYING a to leverage titration in everyday throughout this unit as we move from acid/base to redox as a way of positioning the content in a lab context but also pre-training students for titration curves and buffers. Excited to replace pH meter with conductivity probe and see how students negotiate the different dependent variable.

Days 33-37: Final Exam Review

Final review cumulated with a day of thought experiments and good times with magic sand as a way of interacting with intermolecular forces!