I teach an integrated chemistry and physics (ICP) class. My students learn best via hands-on projects and research-driven labs. Does anyone have any ideas for inquiry-based lessons or units for either chemistry or physics or both? I have scoured many different websites and have only came up with a handful of worthwhile ones. Thanks! Dan Brown Shelbyville High School, Indiana
Dan, My Name is Sarah Hawley. I teach the same subject in Richmond. Have you had much success in your use of IBL? Would you be willing to collaborate?
Hi Dan, Have you seen the article, ' Inquiry in the Chemistry Classroom '? It includes 23 different inquiry chemistry lab ideas and one detailed example.
One unit that I always wanted to do but never got around to creating was a unit on chemical airbags simulating the egg drop experiment....I would set up a ramp going down a flight of stairs with something at the end to simulate a car crash. I would tie an egg to the car and roll it down. the students would be tasked with saving the egg by starting a chemical reaction that creates gas in a ziplock bag. Hopefully, the airbag would stop the egg from breaking. I never really tried it, but it's an idea. Students would need to learn about force and momentum etc, as well as stoichiometry, gas laws, and reaction rates. Anyway, I hope this helps.
Hands-On Chemistry Activities With Real-Life Applications contains over 300 intriguing investigations designed to engage students in a genuine pursuit of science. http://www.csun.edu/science/chemistry/
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