Teaching Resources

Date: 2013.02.07

Posted by Iveta Slobodová (Slovakia)

Message: The page of Steve Spangler is very interesting and useful. It offers a lot of motivating, interesting and effective experiments for students. Experiments are in a form of videos. Teachers and students can find there in addition to videos also a list of tools and chemicals needed, chemical explanation of an experiment, possible changes and procedures in realization of experiments. Videos from experiments are processed in a form of TV shows and a main character in it is Steve Spangler and his hosts. S.Spangler knows how to put an easy explanation by an interesting way so it can interest each student. As a teacher I am often inspired by experiments available at the web page. During the realization of experiments he does not forget at right and safe settlement of experiment (a warning when an adult is needed, information about using of dangerous substances – flammable or irritative substances) it is also not forgotten at protective materials as protective eyeglasses, rubber gloves and etc. We see a didactive asset in motivation of students by experiments and teaching of younger students to watch and understand simple chemical processes. It offers a new innovative didactive approach. The page mentioned is suitable for students at elementary and high schools. Professional, esthetic, technical and didactive aspect of it is at a high level. Preparation of a teacher who would like to do something similar in lessons of chemistry is more difficult and tedious but we think it is worth of it (if a preparation is well organized and realization is well done). Students will surely appreciate teacher’s effort. Some of the experiments can be implemented as students’ experiments and a chemical laboratory is not needed. Students can do them at home. Availability of materials and chemicals used is good and you can also order the whole sets for individual experiments.

Date: 2012.10.03

Posted by Barbara Mallarino (Italy)

Message: I think the resource is especially useful to stimulate the students' curiosity about chemistry. The website offers a series of experiments with various additional elements: a list of materials needed, chemical explanation of the experiment, proposed changes of the variables of the experiment and possible traces of work, video of the experiment. I think it is, however, not suitable for use in Italian primary school because of the language (this may be mediated by the use of a translator), but above the level of chemical expertise required for a "true" understanding of the proposed experiments.
They are spectacular experiments that allow to attract the attention of students. If supported by a careful job of the teacher who makes the spectacular accessible and comprehensible to the students, they can become a valuable resource. Do not underestimate the attention given to safety; in presented experiments there are references to perform duties under the supervision of an adult, are reported potentially harmful substances and in the list of "ingredients" is always present mask to protect your eyes. Interesting ideas also from the point of view of teaching to attract the attention of kids about the importance of "use your head" in activities that seem so funny.
I don't think it can help the students to understand better and faster but it could be an innovative didactical approach with the indispensable support of the teacher.