Herein we describe an accessible and safe at-home experiment to separate lycopene from tomatoes via liquid-liquid extraction. As a qualitative experiment, it is a canonically elementary instance for high school students to digest the conception of miscibility, immiscibility, and density difference of the two solvents. This experiment was performed…

In primary organic chemistry, students learn about the dehydration of ethanol to ethylene with concentrated sulfuric acid. Similar reactions(the dehydration of alcohols) exist in nature. For example, various alkenes with aromas are synthesized from linalool, a monoterpene tertiary alcohol. In this laboratory experiment, we report experiments…

Xerogels, exemplified by silica gel, are substances formed by drying gels, resulting in a loss of their internal solvents. Understanding the production and properties of xerogels is crucial, owing to their widespread applications. Xerogel chemistry is widely utilized in several substances; therefore, understanding this chemistry is extremely…

As part of the current UK GCSE science curriculum, pupils need to use their understanding of science to answer questions about a series of core experiments. Problem-solving and applying knowledge to new situations is fundamental in enabling students to progress in science; however, many learners struggle to develop these skills. This can lead to…

Electrochemistry plays a crucial role in our everyday lives. It allows us to power our phones and cars and allows for the real-time monitoring of blood glucose levels. While electrochemistry is of vital importance and is a long-established field of chemistry, it is often neglected in modern curricula for STEM courses. Herein, we show that hands-on…

Fungi mostly reproduce through spores that are adapted for airborne dispersal; hence, fungal spores (and fungi) are found virtually everywhere. Fungi can be "friends or foes." Our friends include fungi used in the food and biotech industries, fungi that contribute to the cycling of carbon and nutrients, and those involved in the…

The chemistry of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has the potential to introduce high school and undergraduate students to the fundamental chemical principles of structure and bonding, enhance the development of skills in synthesis and crystal growth, and promote hands-on experience with gas capture and host-guest chemistry of emerging materials…

This qualitative case study delved into students' understanding and positioning while they participated in solving an authentic, conceptually-based problem in a high-school chemistry class. Verbal and nonverbal cues, particularly gestures, offered broader awareness of students' engagement in sensemaking during the learning experience. The…

Experiments serve different purposes in chemistry education ranging from illustrating a certain subject matter to providing data for school-based research projects. When students use these experiments to collect data and draw conclusions, it is important that these experiments are valid. In this study, a new experiment for the determination of the…

This paper presents the case for how students can be helped to increase their scientific vocation by experimental work and the introduction of particle physics into pre-university studies. These two ideas are the two main lines of work of the ADMIRA initiative, which has been created by individuals belonging to different and complementary…

Many high school students learn about nutrient cycling during biology, environmental science, and agriculture classes. These lessons often focus on soil and plants, and nutrient cycling is usually taught independently from climate change. Scientists know that animals, including fish, can have strong effects on nutrient cycling (i.e., nitrogen and…

The activity proposed in this study aims to investigate the equilibrium between the liquid and vapor phases in a mixture of water and acetic acid, both of which are volatile substances. High school students can easily determine the composition of the liquid phase and its corresponding vapor phase at equilibrium using a simple and conceptually…

It is widely recognized that we need to prepare students to think with data. This study investigates student interactions with digital data graphs and seeks to identify what might prompt them to shift toward using their graphs as thinking tools in the authentic activity of doing science. Drawing from video screencast data of three small groups…

Stimulating interest in science at an early age is important for STEM education. This work details an educational activity utilizing the anthocyanins found in butterfly pea flowers ("Clitoria ternatea"). This activity was developed for use in official classroom settings, online, and/or at-home with parental or educator guidance. Primary…

High school students and students in the first years of college have difficulties in understanding the topic of stoichiometry and, in particular, the concept of limiting reactant. Proposals aimed at overcoming these learning obstacles tend to focus on analogies, and there are few sequences that approach teaching from an experimental perspective.…