Explaining Solutions
| Name of Project: Explaining Solutions |
Project Description | |
| Name of Project | Explaining Solutions |
| Subject Area | Science |
| Targeted Standards | Chm.3.2.4; Chm.3.2.6 |
| Driving Question / Problem / Activator | How can you use Livescribe technology to explain the processes occurring on a molecular level as a solute dissolves in a solvent? |
| Project Summary | This is a culminating activity to be used after completion of a Solutions unit, or later in the curriculum as review or evidence of concept retention. Students will create and label molecular level drawings of aqueous solutions, differentiating between dilute and concentrated solutions, electrolyte and nonelectrolyte solutions, and to illustrate how an ionic solid dissolves. For each, students will explain in detail what is happening using Livescribe Echo pens. |
| Estimated Time | 90-minute block |
| Materials / Resources/Lesson Plans (including link to slideshow if available) | Livescribe Echo Pens, laptop, phone or tablet with Livescribe App, Livescribe paperPreparing the technologyBefore implementing this assignment, charge the Livescribe Echo pens and download the software (link to Echo pen software) onto the device(s) you plan to use.You can adjust the audio recording quality. Go to the pen’s Main Menu, scroll down to Settings, select Recording Quality. You can choose high, medium or low. High quality recordings take up more space in your smartpen memory.To use the Echo Smart pen, remove the cap covering the penpoint and turn the power button on. Touch the penpoint to the “record” dot at the bottom of the page in the Livescribe notebook, and begin recording. When you are finished recording audio, tap the “stop” button on the bottom of the page with your pen.To play back your recording, tap your handwritten notes. Your recording (“pencast”) will automatically save to the Echo Desktop whenever you connect your smartpen to your computer. To share the recording, from the Echo Desktop on your computer, click the Share menu.Loading the ContentThis is a culminating activity. It is intended to be implemented after students have finished a learning unit on Solutions, so it is assumed that they already know how to calculate Molarity, understand solubility and solubility curve concepts, as well as polarity and basic chemical reactions. A summary Powerpoint lesson is included to review key concepts but primarily to highlight some important aspects of sketching and labeling molecular level drawings.
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| Tags | Dissolution, solvation, aqueous solution, electrolyte |
Project Outline | |
| Ask | What is occurring on a molecular level in dilute versus concentrated solutions, in electrolyte versus non-electrolyte solutions, and as a solid dissolves in water? |
| Imagine | If you are given a Livescribe Smartpen and dot paper, can you draw and label molecules in beakers that illustrate the differences between dilute and concentrated solutions, electrolyte and non-electrolyte solutions, and a solid dissolving in water? |
| Plan | Outline the key points you want to make when you record your explanation of the solution processes and decide how many beakers you will draw to illustrate these properties. Underline key vocabulary terms you should include in your narrative. |
| Create | Use the Echo pen to sketch beakers and their contents, and record your detailed explanations of what is occurring on a molecular level on the Livescribe dot paper |
| Improve | Listen to your recording and make notes about statements you could develop more fully or explain more clearly. Record your narrative again. |
| Closure / Student Reflections | Students will conduct peer reviews of classmates’ diagrams, and answer the post-activity questions. |
| Possible Modifications / Extensions | Additional solutions concepts could easily be added such as drawing equilibria, neutralization reactions, titrations, solubility, polarity, intermolecular forces, etc. |
Evaluation (Pre/Post)
Preview Questions
Grading Rubric for Particle-level Drawings
Credits or Modified From
Additional Resources / Help for teaching this lesson
For help using the smartpen: link to support documents
You can print your own dot paper on a regular copy machine: link to print dot paper
