Mr. Jonathan Keller’s Chemistry students are recording observations

In the opening weeks of school, students in Mr. Jonathan Keller’s Chemistry classes have been developing their skills in observing and recording chemical reactions and discerning the differences between chemical compounds, mixtures, elements, and other substances. “I like to have a lot of fun with my students,” Mr. Keller observes as students find myriad original ways to make observations.

This week, sophomores in Mr. Keller’s core Chemistry have been performing what they dub “Baggie Chemistry” experiments. Working in pairs, students are tasked with measuring different substances into a clear plastic bag. Students then use the tools they’re learning in class they determine if the reactions in a bag are actually physical or chemical changes.

Students in Mr. Keller’s conceptual Chemistry class engaged in a fun and informative “Great Shaving Cream Debate.” Working in teams, students observed shaving cream and used scientific methods to notate their observations. Students then “debated” whether shaving cream is a solid, liquid or gas, using their observations and newly found Chemistry vocabulary to make their points. 

(Picture here: Elior Ginsberg and Avigayil Loebmann)