Ironing out smelting technology

Many years ago I attended an ASM Materials Science Teachers’ Camp in Ottawa that covered polymers, ceramics, metals and composite materials. During one session they discussed how western society had lost the Roman recipe for concrete after the empire collapsed. Author: David Robinson, Toronto District Christian High School, Woodbridge, Ontario

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Category: Feature From our readers Covers

My approach to laboratory work — and everything else

A student cannot learn what he or she doesn’t understand

You may have heard me rant against formal lab reports. I have no time for this waste of time. Having high school students copy a list of equipment/chemicals, regurgitate a recipe and write what they were supposed to observe strikes me — and my students — as pointless. Author: Michael P Jansen, Crescent School, Toronto, Ontario

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Category: Feature Pedagogy, opinion and advice Editorials Viewpoint and advice

Advice for veteran teachers

How to best guide new teachers

As this school year ends, probably the last thing on your mind is those new teachers who are just graduating from teacher’s college and starting fresh at your school this September. But trust me, they are thinking about September and they will need your help. Author: Katherine Mansfield, Waterloo District School Board, Waterloo, Ontario

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Category: Feature Pedagogy, opinion and advice Viewpoint and advice

Hidden chemical puzzle

Write the answers to the questions in the grid. One vertical column will be the chemical name of an over-the-counter medication. Author: Avi Ornstein, Classical Magnet School, Hartford, Connecticut

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Category: Feature Activities Student challenges Magazine puzzles