Timeline: History of Chemistry

A traditional chemistry class would include the teacher providing a lecture about the different eras or time periods and the respective events. This year, students were given the events and dates, told 1cm equals 30 years and asked to create a timeline. They were shown a sample from 1999 so they could see an "A" timeline.

The first challenge was students remembering that 1700 BC is not the same as 1700 AD. Some thought the dates given were out of order, others thought the time between 1700 BC and 1950 AD was only 250 years. Next came the challenge that 1 cm is 30 years, therefore 10 cm is 300 years. This was tricky for some to calculate but they did it. The second step was important for the kids to learn how to do this because chemistry problems have similar challenges. Third, the activity involves the kids moving around, freeing me to help teams with math phobias and fears.

A benefit for some was their tying this to their history classes. Many didn't "see" that Ancient Greek society was so long ago - kids were saying, "This can't be right! Why is there such a big distance between 430BC and 1800 AD?"

They should finish up this timeline on Tuesday.