SLiThEr #37: Inclusivity and Identity in Inorganic Chemistry

Submitted by Kyle Grice / DePaul University on Mon, 08/29/2022 - 13:28
Description

This SLiThEr was presented by Nancy Williams (Keck Science) and Benny Chan (The College of New Jersey) on Inclusivity (particularly from the LGBTQ+ perspective, but in a broader sense as well) in Inorganic Chemistry, with a focus on the inorganic chemistry classroom. 

Check it out here: 

Molecular Magnets with Lanthanide Metal-Metal Bonding

Submitted by A. M. Christianson / Bellarmine University on Wed, 08/24/2022 - 11:36
Description

This literature discussion is based on a 2022 Science paper describing a series of dilanthanide complexes with exceptional magnetic properties due to the presence of metal-metal bonding. These molecules are the first reported species to feature direct bonding between two lanthanides! The paper contains ample material for discussion of molecular symmetry and bonding, oxidation states and electron configurations, and magnetism. The handout includes a description, glossary, discussion questions, and pre-class worksheet.

Inorganic Chemistry

Submitted by Abdul K. Mohammed / North Carolina Central University on Tue, 08/23/2022 - 16:51

Things to do on the first day of inorganic class!

Submitted by Kari Stone / Lewis University on Thu, 08/11/2022 - 13:58

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

Submitted by Amanda Reig / Ursinus College on Wed, 08/10/2022 - 14:48
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

Submitted by Shirley Lin / United States Naval Academy on Mon, 08/08/2022 - 14:23
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

Submitted by Brad Wile / Ohio Northern University on Thu, 07/28/2022 - 13:59

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

Submitted by James F. Dunne / Central College on Wed, 07/20/2022 - 14:54
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?