Creating a Connection between Everyday Life and Stoichiometry using ChemPrime
In introductory chemistry, students learn stoichiometry. In this activity, it allows the students to read a webpage in order to aid them in making a connection between stoichiometry and when they use the same mathematical process during their every day life. The students can have access to the webpage prior to and/or during the activity.
Context for Use
A computer is necessary as the webpage is online.
This activity was used at a community college, Introduction to Chemistry course (high school/pre-General Chemistry equivalent) with a class size of approximately 40 students.
The students were allowed 20 minutes to complete the activity where they read through the web page and had to come up with an example where they use dimensional analysis in their life.
This activity should be easy to adapt, this activity was performed during class in a computer lab, but could also be given as a homework assignment.
Description and Teaching Materials
Below are the two URLs the students had access to.
Teaching Notes and Tips
The instructor should tell the students that they cannot use the same examples or 'ingredients' as the ones on the web page. i.e. the first example is of a grilled cheese sandwich. They cannot alter how much cheese they put on their grilled cheese sandwich or another sandwich, but they can talk about building a different cooking experience.
References and Resources
The ChemEd DL Summit Resource Course (http://moodle.chemeddl.org/course/view.php?id=78) houses all of the submissions from two-year and four-year college faculty members who have designed resources using the Chem Ed DL (Chemical Educational Digital Library at http://www.chemeddl.org) for use in organic chemistry and general chemistry classrooms and laboratories.This resource is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grants No. NSF-DUE 1044239 and NSF-DUE 0937796. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.