Most chemistry classes begin with talking about lab safety and lab equipment. These are necessary, but mundane and boring. In our high school, students are required to pass a safety and equipment quiz as well as return a safety contract before they can do the lab. For teachers, this means at least a week before we can do any labs involving heat, chemicals, or glassware. So how exactly can you keep students engaged and excited to come to class every day when you are going over boring safety rules and equipment?
I find that anything that allows students to talk to each other, create something, and use technology does a pretty good job of keeping their attention. For lab safety and equipment, I decided to assign them a video project. The groups of 2 were assigned three pieces of lab equipment and two safety rules. Their task was to explain what the equipment is used for and describe the safety rules and why its important. I gave them [almost] two full class periods to work on it -- day one for planning and day two for filming. Since this was during our first week of school, many students don't know each other yet so I didn't want them to have to worry about finding time outside of school to work together.
The videos were short -- some less than 30 seconds! -- but I told them that as long as they included all the information and were thorough, the length wouldn't matter. Some students decided to put their shining faces on camera, while others chose to use paper to create signs with pictures and descriptions. They had options about how they would like to create the video, so each student could cater to their strengths and feel comfortable. This was during the first week of school, so some anxieties were already high! Some groups were more artistic and theatrical, and others were more informative.
Students recorded the videos with their phones and uploaded them to our class page. I looked through them and compiled some of them to watch on Friday after they take their safety and equipment quiz. Here's an example of one of the videos:
And yes, I do tell them the rule is "no shenanigans." It seems to help them remember, and it gave me a cool catchphrase to use during labs.
I think overall the students did really well with this assignment! They were working hard both days (at least most of them) and became familiar with some of the common equipment we will be using. It was a great break from the typical back to school stuff.
What do you guys think? Do you have any tricks to spicing up boring topics?
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