Chemis-tree

This photo is of our annual chemis-tree. Each year all the students in my chemistry classes are randomly assigned a common household chemical. These compounds range from the very common everyday chemicals like salt and sugar to a selection of more complex compounds, like caffeine for the AP Chemistry students. The student’s task is to research their compound and then create an ornament for the chemis-tree that represents that compound. Students are asked for information like: the common and chemical names of their compound, the molar mass, the sources of the compound and some common uses of the compound. In addition to the common chemical ornaments, the chemis-tree features a set of test tube lights and is topped with a Barbie doll dressed safely for a lab.