Every look around a room and notice that most of the materials are solids. However, in a traditional chemistry classroom, liquids, solutions and gases are the emphasis of the course. The presentation will show how various solids can be used to teach chemistry concepts classes. Common, everyday materials are used to show relevant and engaging ways to present some difficult science concepts. By manipulating solids, students gain a better understanding of how many of the traditional science courses are actually intertwined, what STEM really is and careers that they night never had thought about before. Many labs and demonstrations that make chemistry concepts easier to teach and learn will be shared using things that students already know, but truly do not understand how it works or why we use it.<br/>These solid materials comprise the "stuff" the world uses in every facet of life - from industrial to personal. Yet, solids are ignored by almost all current high school chemistry curricula. Teaching chemistry with solids helps bring engineering and technology into chemistry and physical science classrooms. These activities will show students the importance of the concepts they learn in traditional classes, how they interact with other disciplines and lend the way to adding more engineering practices and inquiry / critical thinkers in the classroom.

Materials, materials, materials: The chemistry of solids

254th National Meeting (2017)

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