This poster presents an inquiry-based 5E Lesson designed to teach VSEPR Theory to general chemistry students at the secondary level. This lesson uses the 5E inquiry model of instruction (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate) to teach the molecular geometries of molecules and how they are influenced by the VSEPR theory. Students were encouraged to explore and create various shapes associated with molecular geometries of common compounds and will see electron-pair electrostatic repulsion at work in their own balloon models. This activity allows high-school students to understand molecular geometries and VSEPR theory in a meaningful way, which results in deeper conceptual understanding and better retention of this critical, but difficult, general chemistry concept.

Inquiry based 5E lesson on VSEPR theory, effective modeling in a high-school classroom

244th National Meeting (2012)

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