Making chemistry...alluring?

[swimmermom3]

:lol: I know, for many of you, "chemistry" and "alluring" should not be in the same sentence, but bear with me, please.

 

All this talk of high school science and textbooks has reminded that in less than one month, my youngest's worth-her-weight-in-gold counselor will want to know if ds is taking his chemistry class at home or at the school. So far, his grade in STEM Physics warrants that he be placed in STEM Chemistry. (Regentrude, I still don't really know what the STEM part really gets him.)

 

So, maybe he will get a really good chemistry teacher and all will be well - or- he will dislike it intensely like his older siblings, along with half of the neighborhood and do poorly in it, which explains how I ended up teaching chemistry to his older siblings.

 

I actually enjoyed doing chemistry with my oldest boy last year and he was "stunned" to find that if one did the reading, the study guide, the labs, and all of the problems, chemistry was not so difficult to understand. Imagine that. While he was having his "oh duh!" moments, I was having my own "Oh, whoooaaa, I never knew it worked that way" moments. I think chemistry is kind of exciting. :blushing:

 

I am thinking that I will go ahead and teach it next year, using the materials on the dr.tang site, but I would love to give the class a little more s@x appeal. I used some of Regena's (mcconnellboys) ideas for adding kitchen chemistry and visiting distilleries with the youngest while he was in middle school. Maybe we will do some more of that, but what else? And what book like Double Helix could I assign? I think Bill Bryson talks about some of the more fascinating of the eccentric chemists in his A Short History of Nearly Everything. That would be good, but what else?

 

If you think I should entrust the school with the boy, let me know that too.

 

ETA: No one should ever have four "reallys" in a handful of paragraphs, but I am too lazy to change it tonight.

[Candid]

I think I would investigate more thoroughly the teachers of the local class. Can you visit classrooms? Ask for a certain teacher? Ask the counselor and see what you can learn.

 

I suspect most of the neighborhood kids don't like chemistry because it is hard. It sounds like that might be okay in your household.

[dbmamaz]

is friendly chemistry something that would fit? or not because i think its aimed at non-techy kids?

[swimmermom3]

I think I would investigate more thoroughly the teachers of the local class. Can you visit classrooms? Ask for a certain teacher? Ask the counselor and see what you can learn.

 

I suspect most of the neighborhood kids don't like chemistry because it is hard. It sounds like that might be okay in your household.

 

In a class like Chemistry, it may not be just the teacher. My ds started the year off loving the Physics class and having lots of good things to say about his teacher. Then things got quiet for a while. He was still really happy with the teacher, but the class itself was not conducive to learning. Teacher said it was the worst class by far that he had had in all of his years of teaching. That's why there is the small group of more self-directed students that are working in the large storage closet. Ds is working with them on a model wind turbine and enjoying himself.

 

However, my older ds' girlfriend recommended her old chemistry teacher who is very disciplined with her classes, so I might check that out.

[Trillian]

I can't seem to switch back and forth on my iPad between Amazon without losing what I've written, so no links. "The Disappearing Spoon" is on my to be read list. I also considered "Napoleon's Buttons."

[anne1456]

I can't seem to switch back and forth on my iPad between Amazon without losing what I've written, so no links. "The Disappearing Spoon" is on my to be read list. I also considered "Napoleon's Buttons."

 

I second "The Disappearing Spoon", it is engaging. My kids didn't like "Napolean's Buttons", it was too technical with lots of organic chem diagrams which made them tune it out. My son also read "The Alchemy of Air" which was a surprisingly interesting look at the Haber-Bosch process of extracting nitrogen from air.

[Dicentra]

But "chemistry" and "alluring" SHOULD be in the same sentence!!! ;) :D If you found that you loved chemistry, don't send the boy to school - he'll pick up on your fascination with the subject and only good things can come from that.

 

I loved chem from the first moment of my first high school chem class. And that's sayin' something - my teacher was... um... less than stellar. The logic of it, the fact that it could maim, heal, or delight depending on which aspect you were talking about fascinated me. I know, I know... I'm weird. :)

 

I enjoyed "The Disappearing Spoon" and I also really liked "Napolean's Buttons" but then my undergrad degree was a 4 year major in Organic Chem so I may be biased. I've heard "What Einstein Told His Cook" is a good read but I haven't read it myself. "Molecules at an Exhibition" by John Emsley is on my shelf and I've glanced through it but haven't given it a good read yet. It looks much meatier than some of the others.

 

If you're looking to - ahem - rev it up a bit, "The Poisoner's Handbook" would certainly fit the bill. It's pretty light on actual chem but it certainly keeps one turning the pages. From the back:

"A beguiling concoction - equal parts true crime, twentieth-century history, and science thriller. A fascinating Jazz Age tale of chemistry and detection, poison and murder, The Poisoner's Handbook is a page-turning account of a forgotten era. In early-twentieth-century New York, poisons offered an easy path to the perfect crime. Science had no place in the Tammany Hall-controlled coroner's office, and corruption ran rampant. However, with the appointment of chief medical examiner Charles Norris in 1918, the poison game changed forever. Together with toxicologist Alexander Gettler, the duo set the justice system on fire with their trailblazing scientific detective work, triumphing over seemingly unbeatable odds to become the pioneers of forensic chemistry and the gatekeepers of justice."

They also discuss some of the chemistry behind Prohibition - I'm astounded and horrified at some of the chemicals people were willing to drink to replace alcohol. A warning - it's pretty gritty and describes exactly some of the cases that the medical examiners came across so if anyone's student is sensitive, it may not be the best choice.

 

Usually, forensics can pull kids into chemistry when other topics can't. :cool:

 

I also have an old copy of a book I read years ago when I was still doing my undergrad degree. I think it came in the welcome package of some chem conference I attended - it's called "Cantor's Dilemma" by Carl Djerassi and was published in 1989. It's a novel (and, to warn, has some... compromising situations between characters, if I remember correctly) and is about falsification of results in the high pressure atomosphere of the research community. From the back:

"When Professor Isidore Cantor reveals his latest breakthrough in cancer research, the scientific community is galvanized. Cantor's most promising research fellow, Dr. Jeremiah Stafford, has only to conduct the experiment that will prove the brilliant hypothesis and win Cantor the Nobel Prize. But how far will the young assistant go to guarantee the results? Carl Djerassi draws from his long career as a world-famous scientist to describe the fierce competition driving scientific superstars in this gripping and suspenseful novel."

Since it was published 20+ years ago, I can't imagine the science on cancer research is all that up to date but the main theme of "how far will one go" is still there. Sensationalistic - yes. How most research labs work - probably not. But you did say you wanted to s&x things up a bit... :D

 

I just recently came across this website:

http://www.trivedichemistry.com/index.php

From the website"

"Learn or Teach More Effectively with Interactive, Multi-media DVDs.

Trivedi Chemistry brings the learning and teaching of chemistry into the 21st century. Now, with General Chemistry for college students, General Chemistry for High School and High School Chemistry for AP Achievement, you can quickly learn or teach the fundamentals of chemistry using today’s interactive DVD technology. Just pop the disc in your laptop or desktop anywhere. These chemistry courses cover all the fundamentals and are loaded with extra features like video demonstrations, interactive problems and solutions, practice tests… even interactive periodic tables."

I believe they have samples you can watch and printable pdf notes to go along with the videos. I haven't tried them myself but I thought I'd mention them. Apparently, the College Board has approved their AP Chem DVD as a sample chem text.

 

Hope that gives some ideas. If anyone wants more, or more specific ideas on particular topics in chem, just ask. Like I said, I love the subject and now that I'm at home with my dd, I don't get the chance to "share the love" of chemistry with classes. I miss that. :( :D

[Kareni]

I've seen mention of this book over the years and it looks intriguing:

 

Caveman Chemistry: 28 Projects, from the Creation of Fire to the Production of Plastics by Kevin M. Dunn

 

Here's a review from the Journal of Chemical Education.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Miss Marple]

I've seen mention of this book over the years and it looks intriguing:

 

Caveman Chemistry: 28 Projects, from the Creation of Fire to the Production of Plasticsby Kevin M. Dunn

 

Here's a review from the Journal of Chemical Education.

 

Regards,

Kareni

 

I was just coming on this thread to recommend this particular book. I purchased it for my science loving but learning challenged student. He is more fascinated by chemistry than other sciences and he has used this book for the past several years. I think the distillations have been his favorite...there is always something strange sitting on my counter-top or in the fridge :) He also looks up things on YouTube and has created some interesting things (fireworks, ball mill, etc.)

[Kareni]

 

I was just coming on this thread to recommend this particular book [Caveman Chemistry]. I purchased it for my science loving but learning challenged student. He is more fascinated by chemistry than other sciences and he has used this book for the past several years. I think the distillations have been his favorite...there is always something strange sitting on my counter-top or in the fridge :) He also looks up things on YouTube and has created some interesting things (fireworks, ball mill, etc.)

 

 

Thanks for the first hand account, Miss Marple!

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Alice]

But Chemistry is totally alluring already! Said by a former Chemistry major.

 

You might try Oliver Sack’s memoir Uncle Tungsten:Memoirs of a Chemical Boyhood. It’s an account of his love affair with Chemistry as a child and teen and includes great background info on some of the great chemists in history.

 

Another great literary go-along is Primo Levi’s The Periodic Table.

 

Theodore Gray’s book and website ( The Elements) are fantastic. He gives a visual representation of every element along with information about each one.

http://periodictable.com/theelements/ It’s kind of Chemistry porn. (How’s that for alluring? :))

[Colleen in NS]

:lurk5: Love threads like this. The sciences ARE interesting. Contrary to my high school experience.

[Dicentra]

I've seen mention of this book over the years and it looks intriguing:

 

Caveman Chemistry: 28 Projects, from the Creation of Fire to the Production of Plastics by Kevin M. Dunn

 

Here's a review from the Journal of Chemical Education.

 

Regards,

Kareni

 

 

Thanks for this, Kareni. I hadn't heard of that one before. Another addition to my Amazon Wishlist. :)

 

Just wanted to mention that John Emsley (of "Molecules at an Exhibition" that I listed in a previous post) writes quite a few "popular science" type books on Chemistry (just search his name on Amazon). A couple of the them have to do with murder, poisons, etc. so, again, if anyone has strong feelings about that sort of thing or students that are sensitive, you may want to avoid or pre-read.

 

Right now, I'm just finishing "Salt: A World History" by Mark Kurlansky. I'm liking it very much - it drags a bit in places but overall, very interesting. It's not really science oriented but more history oriented but maybe a good way for a history-loving kid to see how a chemical substance can weave its way through history. From the back:

"Homer called it a divine substance. Plato described it as especially dear to the gods. An element [interjection by me: He had better be using the term "element" in the general sense and not the chemical sense because salt is most certainly NOT an element] almost as vital as water [which is also NOT an element], so valuable that it has often served as currency, it has moulded civilization and eating habits from the beginning, and its story is a glittering, often surprising part of history. Here, Mark Kurlansky brilliantly relates the dramatic human story of salt, a mineral that has created fortunes, inspired revolutions, provoked wars, directed economies, and enlivened our recipes."

 

Theo Gray also has a book entitled "Mad Science: Experiments You Can Do at Home - But Probably Shouldn't". If that doesn't hook a teenage boy on chemistry, I don't know what will. :) His "Elements" book was also made into a full colour deck of photographic cards - chemistry eye candy. :laugh:

[swimmermom3]

You all are amazing! I thank you and of course, Amazon thanks you.

 

Dicentra, thanks for injecting so much enthusiasm. Homeschooling has broadened my respect for and interest in science and math. Perhaps a couple of years of doing labs with boys helps. When the official part of the lab is over, it is usually equally intriguing to see what they will do with the batteries, wires, chemicals, and dog shark left to their own devices. :scared: :rofl:

[lewelma]

My ds really likes a video element to his studies. For every equation he studies, he looks it up on YouTube and watches a little clip. I drill him at the end of each week about whether he can "see" the reaction in his head. If he can't, then he watches it again. He finds it so much more interesting to include the colors, textures, heat, bubbles, gases, apparatus etc when learning about a reaction. As they say, a video is worth a ten-thousand words. :)

 

He has also enjoyed going through the Periodic Table of Videos http://www.periodicvideos.com/ , reading The Elements by Gray, and watching BBC's Chemistry: A volatile history. He also likes the chemistry-focused Modern Marvels (e.g., glue).

 

Ruth in NZ

[swimmermom3]

My ds really likes a video element to his studies. For every equation he studies, he looks it up on YouTube and watches a little clip. I drill him at the end of each week about whether he can "see" the reaction in his head. If he can't, then he watches it again. He finds it so much more interesting to include the colors, textures, heat, bubbles, gases, apparatus etc when learning about a reaction. As they say, a video is worth a ten-thousand words. :)

 

He has also enjoyed going through the Periodic Table of Videos http://www.periodicvideos.com/ , reading The Elements by Gray, and watching BBC's Chemistry: A volatile history. He also likes the chemistry-focused Modern Marvels (e.g., glue).

 

Ruth in NZ

 

Ruth, it's funny you should mention this as I just finished watching the first part of a Udacity on algebra-based physics where the instructor was talking about how the Greeks estimated the earth's circumference. I read about this with ds when he was in 6th grade. He seemed to get it, but I couldn't quite "see" it. It was amazing to me this morning what a white board drawing of a little boat on a sphere can accomplish. While I am a reader, I have realized that there are certain subjects where I am much more of a "show me" type of learner. I am grateful to Kathy in Richmond for the suggestion.

 

The videos you linked look like the kind that would get the student to think beyond what is in their text or their standard lab. Thanks so much. I will have to check out the BBC program too.

[Dicentra]

You all are amazing! I thank you and of course, Amazon thanks you.

 

Dicentra, thanks for injecting so much enthusiasm. Homeschooling has broadened my respect for and interest in science and math. Perhaps a couple of years of doing labs with boys helps. When the official part of the lab is over, it is usually equally intriguing to see what they will do with the batteries, wires, chemicals, and dog shark left to their own devices. :scared: :rofl:

 

 

You're welcome. :) It always broke my heart a little when I would have a student come into a class of mine with the attitude that science was boring and they hated it. Did what I could to re-ignite some of that fascination we all have for science when we're little. :)

 

I'm having visuals of what exactly happened to the batteries, wires, chemicals, and the dog shark. I'm not sure I actually want to know...

 

:ohmy: :D

[Kareni]

 

I'm having visuals of what exactly happened to the batteries, wires, chemicals, and the dog shark. I'm not sure I actually want to know...

 

:ohmy: :D

 

Frankensharkie?

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Dicentra]

Frankensharkie?

 

Regards,

Kareni

 

:D That's what I was envisioning. Except post-disection, my specimens weren't usually in any shape to be sewn back together (there's a reason I went into chem and not bio!) and so I had this horrid picture in my head of mangled shark bits attached in all the wrong places...

 

I'll stick to chem. ;)

[swimmermom3]

I just found these chemistry demonstration videos from MIT called The Chemistry Behind the Magic that look fun.

http://ocw.mit.edu/h...rations/videos/

 

 

I just watched the "Money to Burn" segment and enjoyed it, but I am simple that way. :tongue_smilie:

 

Thanks for sharing.

[swimmermom3]

I forgot about the

.

[TechWife]

I concur with the previous recommendations of The Disappearing Spoon and Napoleon's Buttons. My son also enjoyed Gunpowder: Alchemy, Bombards and Pyrotecnics: The History of the Explosive that Changed the World. The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Element in the Universe is a beautiful book. A less expensive alternative is the app, which allows you to turn the elements to explore them from different angles, then each element has an information page. It's absolutely gorgeous!

 

My husband has read The 13th Element: The Sordid Tale of Murder, Fire and Phosphorous. I can't remember what he said about it & he's not here to ask right now.

 

The American Chemical Society has a good web site with links to everyday chemistry, a molecule of the week feature and much more. Right now the everyday chemistry article is about energy drinks like Red Bull. You can also sign up for their free magazine ChemMatters. This month they have articles on electric cars, teeth whiteners & cancer. They have some lesson plans (there's one on chocolate) on the educator section of the site as well. My husband & son tried the fireworks lesson plan and it didn't work so well, they couldn't get the firework they made to burn, but they had a lot of fun trying!

[TechWife]

nm

[swimmermom3]

I concur with the previous recommendations of The Disappearing Spoon and Napoleon's Buttons. My son also enjoyed Gunpowder: Alchemy, Bombards and Pyrotecnics: The History of the Explosive that Changed the World. The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Element in the Universe is a beautiful book. A less expensive alternative is the app, which allows you to turn the elements to explore them from different angles, then each element has an information page. It's absolutely gorgeous!

 

My husband has read The 13th Element: The Sordid Tale of Murder, Fire and Phosphorous. I can't remember what he said about it & he's not here to ask right now.

 

The American Chemical Society has a good web site with links to everyday chemistry, a molecule of the week feature and much more. Right now the everyday chemistry article is about energy drinks like Red Bull. You can also sign up for their free magazine ChemMatters. This month they have articles on electric cars, teeth whiteners & cancer. They have some lesson plans (there's one on chocolate) on the educator section of the site as well. My husband & son tried the fireworks lesson plan and it didn't work so well, they couldn't get the firework they made to burn, but they had a lot of fun trying!

 

 

Thank you! More great ideas to check out.

[Dicentra]

Well... I'll suggest this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Absinthe-Flamethrowers-Projects-Ruminations-Dangerously/dp/1556528221/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361853321&sr=8-1&keywords=absinthe+and+flamethrowers (By the same author as "Backyard Ballistics")

WARNING!!! I would NOT just give this to the dc and let 'em have at it!!!!!!!!!! And it isn't totally about chemistry. But it'll certainly up the "livin' on the edge" factor...

 

:D

[swimmermom3]

Well... I'll suggest this book:

http://www.amazon.co...d flamethrowers (By the same author as "Backyard Ballistics")

WARNING!!! I would NOT just give this to the dc and let 'em have at it!!!!!!!!!! And it isn't totally about chemistry. But it'll certainly up the "livin' on the edge" factor...

 

:D

 

 

I cannot let my older son and his buddies see this. Backyard Ballistics was a BIG HIT with them...in more ways than one.

[Nscribe]

The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Element in the Universe is a beautiful book. A less expensive alternative is the app, which allows you to turn the elements to explore them from different angles, then each element has an information page. It's absolutely gorgeous!

 

 

 

I have to put a second thumbs up on this particular book. I picked it up on impulse and it has been used and reused and used more in our house. I loved having it on hand while reading "Disappearing Spoon". The one I have has a subtitle of "A Visual Exploartion of Every Known Atom in the Universe" ISBN 978-1-60376-184-0.

[Dicentra]

Has anyone seen this one?

http://www.amazon.com/Theodore-Grays-Elements-Vault-Treasures/dp/1579128807/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1361909441&sr=8-2&keywords=the+elements

Not sure if it's worth the money but I might consider it for my dd's birthday. She really liked the "-ology" books when she was younger (Spyology, Pirateolgy, Wizardology, etc.) and Gray's "Elements Vault" book looks to be along the same lines.

[Dicentra]

 

I have to put a second thumbs up on this particular book. I picked it up on impulse and it has been used and reused and used more in our house. I loved having it on hand while reading "Disappearing Spoon". The one I have has a subtitle of "A Visual Exploartion of Every Known Atom in the Universe" ISBN 978-1-60376-184-0.

 

There's a card deck version as well:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Photographic-Card-Deck-Elements/dp/1603761985/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1361909441&sr=8-3&keywords=the+elements

 

One could lay them all out on the floor and create your own floor-sized periodic table. :D

[Dicentra]

 

I cannot let my older son and his buddies see this. Backyard Ballistics was a BIG HIT with them...in more ways than one.

 

:laugh:

 

Just make sure your property insurance is up to date and as comprehensive as you can get. :D