Chemistry for all ages
We’re dedicated to engaging and supporting chemistry educators, students, and enthusiasts of all ages. We aim to create an open and inviting chemistry community and enhance communication with chemistry teachers in Ontario. We have several outreach initiatives geared toward a variety of levels and needs.
Periodic Table Project and more
Take a journey into the history and art of the periodic table through our community projects that have brought together high school students and chemistry enthusiasts from all over the world.
Periodic Table Project
To celebrate the International Year of Chemistry (IYC) in 2011, Chem 13 News magazine, together with the University of Waterloo's Department of Chemistry and the Faculty of Science, encouraged chemistry educators and enthusiasts worldwide to adopt an element and artistically interpret that element.
Timeline of Elements
We marked the International Year of the Periodic Table (IYPT) in 2019 with a worldwide collaboration that chronicles 5,000 years of human history in a timeline illustrated by students from 118 schools in 28 countries, called the Timeline of Elements. Learn about the discovery of the elements through our free, online interactive series.
Mendeleev Mosaic
We wanted to honour Mendeleev and his special role in the history of chemistry, while giving everyone an opportunity to be a part of the 2019 IYPT celebration. The mosaic of hundreds of Mendeleev portraits from around the world has been transformed into an online poster, available free for download.
High-school chemistry exams
Do you have a 75-minute period to challenge your students chemically? Give them the experience of writing the Chem 13 News Exam (for grade 12 students) or the Avogadro Exam (for grade 11 students)! Both exams take place live, online every year in May. Please note that these exams are only available for purchase by a teacher at an accredited high school.
School programs, activities, and online tools
ChemX summer camp
ChemX is an opportunity for high school students interested in learning more about chemistry at the university level. Spend a week in the labs exploring what it’s like to be a Chemistry student at Waterloo. If you’re curious about chemistry, this camp will give you a taste of the many disciplines within this exciting field!
Kids’ Science Open House and chemistry show
Held every October, this free event features a live chemistry show and activities from all science departments to introduce the wonders of science to kids of all ages.
Chem Lab Days
Chem Lab Days is an outreach program providing grade 11 and 12 chemistry classes with a close-up look at what it is like to be a Science student at Waterloo. From testing out a hands-on chemistry lab, to stepping in the shoes of a university student during a tour of the Science buildings, educators can choose which activities will suit their students’ interests!
Chem 13 News magazine archive
From 1968 to 2022, the Department of Chemistry at the University of Waterloo published an informal magazine where chemistry teachers, especially at the high school and first-year college levels, shared their ideas, comments, and teaching materials. Explore the archive of our most popular articles and classroom lessons.
Open Science
Online, interactive modules for high school students relevant to grades 11 and 12 chemistry curricula across Canada. This content is freely available and updated periodically. Lesson titles include: Moles, Stoichiometry, Acids and Bases, Significant Figures, The History of Atomic Theory, Atom Economy and E-factor, and Chem Lab Days Experiments.
