Community outreach
Chem 13 News Periodic Table Project
Educators world-wide registered their classes and had their students create a visually-inventive design of one assigned elemental tile. Creative representations incorporated any historical, scientific or other background characteristics. The submitted tiles combine to form one distinctive and unique periodic table. Several outreach tools are being constructed: a poster recognizing International Year of Chemistry (IYC) 2011; a permanent display; and a travelling exhibit. The aims of this project is to advance the awareness of chemistry by both Canadian and international youth.
Organized by Chem 13 News magazine, this special undertaking celebrates IYC in 2011, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) sponsored event. There are participating schools and organizations from every Canadian province and territory, as well as 20 U.S. states and 14 countries.
Learn more about the local International Year of Chemistry 2011 events.
Chem 13 News
Chem 13 News is an informal magazine published by the Department of Chemistry at the University of Waterloo for teachers of introductory chemistry courses, especially at the high school and year 1 college levels. It is published nine times per year, monthly from September through May.
Chem 13 News Exam
This multiple-choice exam is not to be considered as anything but a selection mechanism for awards and scholarships. Specifically, it is not used as a criterion for admission to university studies. We do not show or give results to any admissions committee.
The exam will cover material that a well-read senior high school chemistry student is likely to have come across in the course of studies. Students may expect to find a few probing and demanding questions on some of the main topics of high school chemistry. Certain mathematical skills closely related to the study of chemistry will be tested, and there will be a few questions on chemical topics not normally covered in high school. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, some easy, some tough, under the general headings: organic, equilibria, kinetics, oxidation-reduction, bonding, structure, reactions, solutions, gases, and a general knowledge of current affairs.
Avogadro Exam
Geared toward junior high school students, the exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, some easy, some tough, under the general headings: structure of matter, bonding, reactions, solutions, and gases, and a general knowledge of current affairs. Students may expect to find a few probing and demanding questions on some of the main topics of high school chemistry. Certain mathematical skills closely related to the study of chemistry will be tested, and there will be a few questions on chemical topics not normally covered in high school.
Chemistry outreach program
The new chemistry outreach program at the University of Waterloo is conducting a range of activities to promote chemistry awareness in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. The outreach program aims to support teachers and inspire students in various ways, including:
- promoting chemistry through classroom visits with demonstrations and hands-on, inquiry based lab activities that are relevant to the current high school curriculum;
- providing additional support for high school teachers by providing up-to-date, real world chemistry lessons and activities to integrate into the class curriculum;
- creating a “chemistry community” to enhance the communication between the Department of Chemistry educators and local teachers through meetings and discussions of relevant topics in chemical education; and
- offering consulting and chemistry workshops for teachers, that can be booked for high school Professional Development days.
We are also available for community events, campus tours, and any other chemistry related events. For further information on our program, or to book a classroom visit, please contact Dr. Laura Ingram by phone at 519-888-4567 x38188 or by email at ljingram@uwaterloo.ca.
