burn, baby burn: teaching principles of chemistry using combustion and oxidation demonstrations and...

by Ken Lyle, Robert E. Lee High School & Roxanna Strain, St. John's School, Houston, Texas.Bum, Baby, Bum is a series of demonstrations and activities designed to introduce and teach many of the basic principles of chemistry through the use of combustion and oxidation-reduction processes. Students are always fascinated with combustion and redox reactions and this fascination can be used to motivate them to learn the basic principles of chemistry. Many of these principles that are often saved until later in the course can be introduced at a much earlier stage and made more relevant to the students. The demonstrations and activities presented in this workshop cover the full range of levels and abilities of the students. Several of these activities can be used with elementary level students, others with middle school students, and even others are designed for Advanced Placement second year chemistry students. You can choose the appropriateness of the activity.