Collection
Science & The Lab
Chemistry, neuroscience, and the demos that hook a class.
Grounding AI in Their Own Handwriting
A metacognitive end-of-year chemistry portfolio built with NotebookLM and Gemini, where the AI can only synthesize what the student actually learned.
Pedagogical Deep Dive: Teaching the Neurochemical Link Between Epilepsy and Alcohol Withdrawal
Throughout the semester, our units on addiction often focus on systems like the opioid pathway, which is common in medical biochemistry. This year in Neuroscience, I restructured our unit to...
Exploring Robotics as a Model for the Human Nervous System
Today in neuroscience class, I introduced the students to an EV3 robotic input-output system, aiming to draw parallels between robotics and the human nervous system. I set up the robot with three...
Using a Simple Memory Game to Teach Functional Groups in Biochemistry
In my biochemistry class, I recently introduced a very simple yet effective game: “ Memory. ” This classic game, where players match pairs of cards, turned out to be a fantastic way for students...
Neuroscience Elective
As I dive into teaching a new Neuroscience elective (my first new course in 23 years). I’m filled with a mix of excitement and a touch of imposter syndrome. While I’ve always been fascinated by...
Simulating Parkinson's: Using Electronics to Build Empathy
This lab activity takes students on a unique journey through the world of neuroscience and engineering to explore the complex nature of Parkinson's Disease. Students will simulate the motor...
Exploring Fentanyl's Risks: Using Chemistry to Imitate the Brain's Protective Layer
This lab activity directly tackles a pressing issue: the opioid crisis, with a spotlight on fentanyl, one of the most potent and problematic drugs out there. This isn't just any experiment; it's a...
Merging Biology and Physics: Optics of a Cow Eye Lens
If you have been following my recent posts, merging the physical and life sciences is a passion of mine. Currently we are studying optics in my introductory physics class. Using pr…
Protein Folding in Science Education: A Perfect Crosscutting Concept
The more I teach students in my Biochemistry class about the intricacies of Protein Folding, the more certain I become that it is a perfect learning medium for uniting various disciplines. From...
ChatGPT mRNA Translation Program
The video below shows how I used ChatGPT (inspired by a student request) to create an program capable of translating an mRNA sequence into a protein sequence using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files...
Merging Bio and Chem: Lungs and Gas Laws
This week I tried a new Boyle's Law activity where my students made a DIY lung system out of balloons, straws, and a plastic bottle. Upon conclusion of this activity, I leverage unused fetal pigs...
Video Analysis Using Padlet
I'm having a great time using Padlet , and the automatically generated QR code provided, to facilitate quick video analysis (often in slow motion) of student work in the laboratory. Below is a...
Pipe Insulator Roller Coasters!
Using pipe insulation and marbles to teach conservation of energy in physics.
Kiwi Crate Saves the Day!
Using Kiwi Crate for distance learning inspiration in my chemistry class.
My Entire Distance Learning Curriculum Resources for the Fall Semester
Sharing links to all recent distance learning resources
Current Thoughts on Distance Learning Science Engagement
Four current strategies on science pedagogy in the distance learning setting.
More Distance Learning Hands-On Experimenting
More discussion about integrating hands-on learning into the distance learning setting.
Distance Learning Science Labs (Baby Steps...)
Discussing recent attempts at slowly integrating 'hands-on' learning to distance learning in my chemistry and biology classes.
Simplifying Online Instruction Documentation
Using Google Docs to create simplifying and streamlined student interactive lesson plan.
Online Teaching Reflections
Reflecting on online teaching methods during COVID-10 Pandemic.
Reflecting on online teaching methods during COVID-10 Pandemic.
Online Teaching Reflections.
Online Teaching Reflections
Reflecting on online teaching methods during COVID-10 Pandemic.
5E / Hero's Journey Example: Stoichiometry (Reactions as Recipes)
CYCLES OF LEARNING
Post 1982 Penny Battery: Experiment in Withholding Information
CYCLES OF LEARNING
5E Lesson Example: Cellular Respiration w/Crosscutting NGSS Integration.
CYCLES OF LEARNING
Google Slides Lab Report: A Simple, Tangible, Reasonable Solution
Google Slides Lab| I have written in the past about my transition from formal lab reporting to the use of Google Slides as a student form of reporting lab work.
A Simple and POWERFUL Chemistry Manipulative
A Simple and POWERFUL Chemistry Manipulative | I love teaching with manipulative in the form of a lesson in my chemistry class this year. Ramsey Musallam
Crowdsourcing Innovation in Cancer Treatment vs Phases of Mitosis
Crowdsourcing Innovation in Class: Cancer Treatment vs. Phases of Mitosis | Currently my freshman Biology class is concluding a unit on cell division.
5 Levels of Difficulty Videos: Alternative Assessment Inspiration
CYCLES OF LEARNING
Editing Videos for Involuntary Curiosity: 3 Chemistry Examples
When reading the research on Curiosity , Involuntary Curiosity is of particular interest to us teachers. Defined by Loewenstein (1994) as curiosity that '...arises spontaneously as a result of...
Google Science Fair as my Biology Final Exam
I have written in the past about how much I am enjoying teaching Biology this year. After graduating with a degree in Biochemistry, my first teaching job, and thus the subsequent 17 years, led me to..
5 Ways to Embed Coding & Electronics into Your Science Curriculum
If you are like me as a science teacher, you simultaneously live the acronym 'STEM' and are exhausted by its overuse in nearly every blog, set of state standards
How to 'ClassSource” a Simple, Meaningful, and USEFUL Review Document
Before every major assessment I like to facilitate review activities in class. That being said, I can only handle the Kahoot theme song so much Cycles of Learning
5th Grader Designed My AP Chemistry Lesson!
That Time a 5th Grader Designed My AP Chemistry Lesson! | About the connection between the 5E learning cycle and Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey.
Secret to Fixing BAD Classroom Presentations!
Power Point, Keynote, Presentations
5 Meaningful Ways to Leverage the 'MakeyMakey' in Your Teaching
Arduinoi, MakeyMakey, Invention, Assistive Technology
Flipped Learning: From Early Adoption to Critical Revision
Flpped, Pedagogy, Video
Structure for Authentic Reading in My Biology Class.
Biology, Literacy, Google Docs, Spreadsheet, Reading, Medicine.
Building Our Own Equipment: When Chemistry and 'Making' Collide!
Maker, Invention, Sensors, Chemistry
The Life-Saving Benefits of Being Curious! (warning: serious TMI).
In her lecture, The Hungry Mind: Origins of Curiosity, Susan Engel beautifully explains the benefits of curiosity not only on student motivation, but learning.
5 Videos That Remind Me of the Teacher I Want to Be
videos, inspiration, teacher, reflection, TED.
Google, Document, Curation, Creation, Textbook
Student Created and Curated Textbook
Inquiry, Biology, Diagnosis
Medical Case Studies as Inquiry Entry Points in Biology
Chemistry, Chem, Demos, NGSS, AP
Chem Demos (Vol. I): 10 Cheap, Practical, Curious, and Aligned Chem Demos
Movies, Clips, Curiosity, Spark, Videos
My 15 Favorite Movie Clips to Use as Science Curiosity Sparks, Strategically leveraging clips from movies that show various phenomena. Read more: Cycles of Learning.
Curiosity, Technology, Chemistry
Most powerful ways to spark Involuntary Curiosity in students is to strategically trim a video clip to remove content or present an unresolved of the content.
Student Curated Study Guides via G. Form File Submission
Student Curated Study Guides via G. Form File Submission | Last year a new feature was added to Google Forms which allows users to submit a file. Cycles of Learning.
Comprehensive 'STEM' (DIY Titration Drop Counter)
Last week, in an effort to keep both my sections of Honors Chemistry moving at the same pace, I found myself with a day to spare in one section. Cycles of learning
Sparking Curiosity Using 'Vibby'
CYCLES OF LEARNING
Student Blogging
Experimenting this year with very organized student blogging. With respect to assessment, at the conclusion of every learning cycle students take a quiz.
Explosive Science Camp: Day 1
CYCLES OF LEARNING
ChemEd 2105 Speaker/Facilitator Submissions
Presentation As chemistry educators, we are called to not only help our students negotiate the algorithmic complexities intrinsic to the discipline, but perhaps more importantly, work towards a deep..
MakeyMakey Titration Drop Counter Hack
CYCLES OF LEARNING
AP Chemistry Syllabus (2013-2014)
CYCLES OF LEARNING