The Chemistry Circle

Students are slowly getting used to the chemistry circle - a means to have the kids talk about results from their activities. This video shows kids discussing results from a chemistry survey activity. Students were asked 6 questions about chemicals. Six teams were formed and were asked to create data tables and graphs based on the results. The kids drew their graphs onto white boards, got into the circle, and attempted to discuss the question, what are chemicals?

This activity took two days until some students realized that chemicals are substances with mass. Some took the initiative after the first day of looking some things up on the internet.

Despite agreeing on the definition, many students continued to reject the idea. We tried several activities throughout the time to "test" their ideas but became stuck in one class when someone insisted that the moon does not have mass. Sorry Bill - you'll have to tackle that one in physics. At least some now accept that air has mass - some still do not.