Things to do on the first day of inorganic class!
This is a collection that will help when you are deciding how to introduce inorganic chemistry and/or assess prior knowledge in your inorganic class on the first day.
RSC Transition Metal Games
Description
RSC has a series of chemistry games that can be downloaded from their website. The link here is specifically for games related to transition metals. There are three games (a Jeopardy! style game, a Password-style game and a Taboo-style game). The game formats could easily be adapted to other content. You may need to sign up for a free instructor account to access the resources.
Fluorine Azide and Fluorine Nitrate: Structure and Bonding
Description
This literature discussion was written for a foundation-level inorganic chemistry course to accompany the material on Lewis structures. It utilizes a communication-length article on fluorine azide and fluorine nitrate. The assignment is divided into two parts: a set of questions for students to answer BEFORE they read the communication and then a set of questions that they answer after reading the article.
Games Throughout the Inorganic Chemistry Curriculum
This collection includes several games and activities suitable for instructional use in the classroom or laboratory. In a recent Inorganic Chemistry editorial, Zachary Thammavongsy and Madalyn Radlauer describe the use of educational games as a tool for active learning. The full article may be found at https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c02544
You are encouraged to explore the items below, and use them as is (or with modifications) in your classroom or laboratory. Have fun!
1 Slide: building better presentations
Description
The activity is designed to give students practice and formative feedback in building and delivering professional presentations. After discussing a literature paper in class, students create one slide presenting a major point or idea from the paper. Students then present their slide briefly (5 min), and the entire class critiques the slide and presentation with two guiding questions: What was done well? What could have been better?
Synthesis and electronic properties of transition metal complexes containing sulfonamidoquinoline ligands a literature-based activity and discussion (Chan)
Description
This Learning Object is dedicated to Prof. Chan as part of the VIPEr LGBTQIAN+ LO collection created in celebration of Pride Month (June) 2022. A profile of Prof. Chan from the Chemical & Engineering News Out and Proud article can be found at
Exploring a non-traditional path in STEM: Dr. Vincent Lavallo
Description
The slides are geared for students at any level of chemistry. The objective is to give an example of a scholar who followed a non-traditional path to becoming a professor, working while taking classes, taking more time to graduate, and becoming an accomplished researcher. An activity based on obtaining information from a group website is attached at the end of the slides. The hope is to have students obtain information relevant to a certain PI and hopefully will help them make future choices.
Elements Blog Project
Description
Introduction to Borane and Carborane Clusters: Practice with Point Groups, Electron Counting, and Electronegativity with Computational Support
Description
This LO uses borane and carborane clusters to practice assigning point groups and counting electrons. It also asks students to recall electronegativity trends to predict dipoles, and they can check their predictions against calculated Mulliken charges.