Each year, the American Chemical Society celebrates National Chemistry Week in October. This year, they celebrate their 30th anniversary October 22-28th with the theme “Chemistry Rocks!” Their website provides wonderful resources to support teachers and students, including a poetry contest, videos, downloadable activity guides, and more.
Annenberg Learner also has free resources to support your teaching and celebration of Chemistry! Here is a sample:
Chemistry: Challenges and Solutions – Teach concepts of general chemistry by presenting real challenges in energy production, materials development, biochemistry, and environmental protection. The course zeroes in on core topics taught in introductory chemistry, providing a strong foundation for learners to pursue further study in science, med-tech fields, or a liberal education. Videos include lab demonstrations of key laws and processes, interviews with research scientists and industrial chemists, and explanatory animations. An online text covers science history and major discoveries with clear explanations and graphics. Interactive labs provide hands-on simulations of chemical processes.
Reading & Writing in the Disciplines, “Creating a Culture of Collaboration“ – In small self-managed groups, students learn how to design an experiment and interpret data to determine the empirical formula of a compound using gravimetric analysis techniques; construct thoughtful and testable beginning questions; investigate the characteristics of a strong claim; construct claims; construct evidence to support claims; compare the claim and evidence to literature values.
World of Chemistry – An oldie but goodie, join with experts to observe chemistry in action and learn the laws and principles of this dynamic field. Computer technology and special effects place students in a front-row seat to observe many processes, even those that are too dangerous or impractical to experience directly. Working industrial and research chemists of all backgrounds serve as role models. The World of Chemistry is appropriate for students taking high school or college chemistry, from introductory to advanced levels, and is easily applicable to different teaching approaches. It includes physics and Earth science components, and is also valuable for teachers seeking to review the subject matter.
Reactions in Chemistry – This eight-part workshop for the professional development of high school chemistry and physical science teachers blends chemistry content, history, and technological applications with a range of classroom lessons to provide teachers with updated knowledge and new approaches to pedagogy. Teachers will see diverse classes doing hands-on lessons and labs and will hear teachers reflect on their own practices. The on-camera teachers meet in roundtable discussions about teaching strategies and the particular challenges of helping students connect the content to their own lives. The programs also present the work of industrial and forensic chemists and researchers.