About Chemistry for Kids

Editors
John T. Moore
Department of Chemistry
Stephen F. Austin State University
P.O. Box 13006 SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962-3006
Phone: 409-468-3606; FAX: 409-468-7634
Email: F_moorejt@titan.sfasu.edu

David Tolar
200 E. Mitcham #103
Malakoff. TX 75148

As our world grows more complex and interconnected it becomes more and more important to teach young children the principles and excitement of science, especially chemistry. The goal of the "Chemistry for Kids" column is to help facilitate communication of information among those involved in chemical education in the pre-high school setting. Of particular interest are manuscripts describing learner-centered activities and teaching strategies that integrate chemistry into the curriculum. A manuscript is usually strengthened by an explanation of the educational context in which the activity or strategy is used (e.g., grade level, group size). Both quantitative data and qualitative observations should be reported.

Articles of interest include descriptions of:

• Successful outreach programs sponsored by universities, high schools, or industries to pre-high school audiences.
• Kits, software, and other multimedia tools especially useful in bringing chemistry concepts to young students.
• Articles prepared by pre-high school teachers concerning successes or informative failures in bringing chemistry to elementary and middle school students.
• Cooperative efforts between college or high school faculty members and pre-high school teachers.

Another type of manuscript frequently accepted for publication is descriptions of successful and innovative programs designed to increase the chemical background of both pre-service and in-service teachers. Such programs might include courses, workshops, or demonstration programs. All articles of this type should be based on actual experience and should include an analysis of results if possible. Joint authorship by participating teachers can often strengthen the article.

Some examples of articles:

• "Toxicology for Middle School: The Effects of Common Substances on Daphnia" (1995, 72, 49)
• "Science is Fun" (1993, 70, 1006)
• "C-H-E-M Spells 'Chemistry is Fun' " (1992, 69, 413)
• "Adventures in Chemistry for Elementary and Middle Schools" (1989, 66, 230)
• "A Chemistry Course for Elementary Education Majors: 'What is Possible When the Chemistry and Education Departments See Eye to Eye'" (1996, 73, 933)
• "Chemistry for Children: A Program in Precollege Chemistry for Elementary and Middle School Teachers" (1997, 74, 59)
• "The Joys of Liquid Nitrogen" (1996, 73, 651)