BLOCK B
CHEMISTRY ARTICLE 2
INTERVIEW WITH GRADE 9 CHEMISTRY TEACHER
To start the interview, the first question that was asked was, "What are core concepts or skills taught in this subject that are most valuable?"
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- Lab skills (such as working with different chemicals and using different lab procedures such as using like compounds and elements and using all the equipment that's in the lab).
- Understanding that everything in the world is made up of chemicals.
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"How does this subject relate to real world situations?"
Because chemistry is involved in everything, and made of existing chemicals, whether that is in engineering and talking about the materials of the wood that is being used or it could be also biochemistry is very important and relates heavily to real-world connections.
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"What projects will students be doing and their purpose?"
- Labs (Diffusing, density, and calculating density labs)
- Understanding matter
- Understanding the history of different elements and compounds​​​​
- Atomic theory and its history of development in terms of diagrams in the past
This interview with Ms. Yun will include more topics oriented on the importance of chemistry and and how we use it in our daily lives, challenging concepts, and any useful and recommended strategies students should consider.
- Bohr Diagrams and Lewis Diagrams
- Naming compounds
Usually completing practice sheets and asking questions is the most effective way to help a student learn,
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"What part of chemistry do students like?"
Usually experiments on explosions and fire since they are generally not something you see in everyday life.
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"What safety protocols do you need to follow for chemistry?"
Everyone does a safety unit at the beginning.
- Wear PPE or personal protective equipment
- Lab coat and goggles
- Tie long hair back
- Wear close-toed shoes
Depending on what you are working with, you might have to use gloves. And also understanding how to put away, put out a fire. If you're working with fire, how to use the fire extinguisher, fire blanket, sand bucket, all of these things are important.
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This concludes the end of the article.
"How could this subject benefit a student's future and for when they apply to university?"
Dealing with chemicals all the time including like cleaning solutions or chemicals. Understanding this material is important to understand how to use them.
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"What concepts do students find the most challenging, and what strategies do you use to help them understand?"
- Building models (because elements are very small)
