Category Archives: InTASC 4

Data: LAMP Project

Student teachers at Ball State University are required to complete an in-depth unit long data driven analysis of their student teaching called Learning Assessment Model Project (LAMP).  I chose to run the project during the stoichiometry  unit.  Stoichiometry is a unifying topic of chemistry.  It synthesizes previously taught topics of writing chemical formulas, calculating molar masses, performing molar conversions, and balancing chemical reaction equations so that students may apply prior knowledge to its fullest use.  Stoichiometry is rigorous and challenging for students.  My aim was to make this topic both accessible and useful for my students by relating it to their everyday lives.  We chose the stoichiometry unit to run our LAMP project in as most students, except possibly those who have taken integrated chemistry and physics, have no experience with stoichiometry.  We wanted to see the direct impact that our teaching had upon students.  The following is a summary of the project, its outcome and conclusions drawn from it.

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Gas Law Demo Day

I started teaching the Gas Law unit lacking inspiration.  I have always considered the Gas Laws to be rote and uninspiring.  My first period unit opening lesson was less than engaging.  After class Mr. Smith asked me how I thought it went I said that it was less than ideal.  After some discussion, and finding a vacuum pump, I scrapped my lecture plans in favor of performing Gas Law demonstrations.

Gas Law Demos.
Gas Law Demos.

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Gas Laws Inquiry Investigation

I began the Gas Laws unit wondering how to present Gas Law equations in a more engaging way.  Mr. Smith suggested that we approach the discussion from an inquiry perspective using the new DataHub instruments at the school.  We had used the DataHub during Gas Laws in Chemistry II, so I modified an activity that had been used with them to present and derive the Gas Laws for Chemistry I.  The following data table was generated for student data collection during the in class demos: Gas Law Investigation

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Using the DataHub to collect real time pressure data to derive the Gas Law equations.

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Problem-Based Learning: Unit Plan

Students complain that school isn’t relatable.  Employers complain that we don’t generate problem solvers.  Problem Based Learning answers the complexities of both of these issues in one fell swoop, all the while being aligned to state curriculum standards.

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Alexandria received a grant of $335,000 from the state of Indiana as part of the Hardest Hit Fund Blight Elimination Program to help with the demolition of eyesore properties around town.  The question remains: was this a good deal for the city?  A slideshow outlining the entire project may be viewed at: https://www.emaze.com/@AFRWRLTW/razed-and-rising

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Quality Control of Al Foil Inquiry Lab

When our Chemistry I classes were initially studying the unit of the mole, I wanted to find an activity using real life materials to further relate the mole concept.  Initially I thought of using aluminum foil, and found a quality control lab that I liked, so I modified it to include mass measurements and mole conversions.  Click here for the complete file download of this activity.

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Mole Madness Activity

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What’s in a mole?  6.022 EE 23 atoms/molecules for sure, but what does a mole look like?  That depends on the molar mass of a given compound.  The goal of generating this particular activity was to have students calculate the molar mass of three common household compounds, sugar, baking soda and sodium chloride, and then to measure out the same number of moles of each compound and visually compare the amounts of each compound to see how much space a  given amount of moles occupies.

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Factor Label Conversions Using Marzano Techniques

IMG_0347Introducing and using conversions and the factor label system in the science classroom are traditionally done through lecture based activities.  Student engagement in this topic is usually limited to checks for understanding via homework and assessment on quizzes and tests.  Utilizing Marzano’s kinesthetic technique, our goal was to physically engage students in groups while simultaneously performing a formative assessment of understanding of these topics.

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