Quantum Chemistry at Your Fingertips, Visualizing Dissolving with IR Imaging, Molecular Literacy in the Science Classroom, and more in Fall @Concord
Perspective: Prepare and Inspire, A Watershed Report
The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) recently released Prepare and Inspire, a report on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. This report generated relatively little fanfare in the mainstream and online press, but it may someday be seen as a watershed in our nation's educational history. At least we at the Concord Consortium hope so.
Ready, Set, Go Evolution!
Have you ever wondered why manatees have toenails? Do they use them to dig in the sand? Or maybe to scratch their itchy spots?
Monday's Lesson: Quantum Chemistry at Your Fingertips
The interactions among electrons and nuclei are fundamentally important in determining the chemical properties of atoms and molecules. It is the gain, loss, and sharing of electrons that governs all chemical reactions. A chemical bond is created when two or more atoms share their electrons. The distribution of electrons in atoms and molecules affects how they interact and form various structures and states. Understanding the properties of electrons is a key to understanding chemistry.
Visualizing Dissolving with IR Imaging
Did you know that dissolving table salt in water requires energy? Chemists call such a reaction endothermic, but how can you know that's what really happens? Because seeing is believing!
Student-Teacher Feedback LOOPS Promote Inquiry
What does inquiry look like in your science classroom? While inquiry appears in many forms, an “inquiry classroom” generally features students experimenting and testing variables, collecting data, analyzing it, presenting it to the class, and building understanding through discussions and scientific debates.
Molecular Literacy in the Science Classroom
Modern science demands molecular literacy. Secondary science educators are increasingly supporting this view even though it requires substantial changes in the way science is taught. The Science of Atoms and Molecules (SAM) project has made important contributions to the reordering of the secondary science curriculum by creating materials that help teach students to reason at the molecular level in physics, chemistry, and biology. SAM offers 24 computer-based activities built within Molecular Workbench that allow students to explore the atomic basis of important science phenomena.
Probes, Models, and UDL in the Elementary Science Classroom
The dream of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is to use computers to create flexible learning activities that can meet the needs of a wide range of young students. Flexibility is important for all students, but particularly for students with mild learning disabilities.
Innovator Interview: Stephen Bannasch
An interview with Concord Consortium co-founder and Director of Technology Stephen Bannasch. Learn what excites him about the future of educational technology and how he hopes our work changes the world.