Name:
Period:
Date
ONTO THE NEXT LEVEL PRESENTATIONS
BACKGROUND: Taking AP Chemistry is a great way to prepare for studying STEM fields at the college level. However, it
certainly does not cover all of the topics that would be useful for a student to be introduced to before starting university level
courses. For this project your group will create a lesson plan to help the students in your class learn a topic that will help them
be more prepared at the next level and then actually teach that topic to the class.
PROCEDURE:
1) Choose a partner DIFFERENT that your partner for the lab final
2) Pick a topic either from the list below or something else chemistry related (must be approved by the instructor!)
3) Come up with a 20-30 minute lesson plan to help “teach” this topic to your classmates. You may use any method to
teach including Power Point notes, worksheets, reading and questions, hands on activities, demos, interactive quizzes,
games, etc… BE CREATIVE
4) You will be evaluated on your ability to have students understand the topic. You must submit a lesson plan and have
visual aids/hands on materials. You will need a way to determine the understanding of your students upon
completion of the lesson.
POSSIBLE TOPICS
1) Organic Chemistry Basics: Introduce students to organic chemistry by focusing on fundamental concepts. Topics
may include functional groups, isomerism, nomenclature, and reactions (e.g., addition, elimination, substitution).
They can also explore the importance of organic compounds in daily life.
2) Electrochemistry: Assign students to delve deeper into electrochemical cells, redox reactions, and electroplating.
They can investigate concepts such as oxidation-reduction potentials, Faraday’s laws, and the Nernst equation. Realworld examples like batteries and corrosion prevention can enhance their understanding.
3) Spectroscopy Techniques: Assign students to study various spectroscopic methods (UV-Vis, IR, NMR, etc.). They
can explain how these techniques provide information about molecular structures, functional groups, and chemical
bonding. Encourage them to discuss applications in research and industry.
4) Environmental Chemistry: Students can research environmental issues related to chemistry. Topics may include air
pollution, water quality, greenhouse gases, and chemical waste disposal. Discuss the role of chemistry in addressing
global challenges.
5) Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery: Investigate how nanoparticles and nanomaterials can be used to enhance drug
delivery systems. Explore their advantages, challenges, and potential applications in targeted therapies.
6) Green Chemistry and Sustainable Synthesis: Research eco-friendly approaches to chemical synthesis. Topics may
include solvent-free reactions, catalysis, and minimizing waste. Discuss the impact of green chemistry on
environmental sustainability.
7) Supramolecular Chemistry: Dive into the fascinating world of supramolecular interactions. Explore host-guest
complexes, self-assembly, and molecular recognition. Discuss applications in drug design, materials science, and
sensors.
8) Chemical Sensors and Biosensors: Explore the development of sensors for detecting specific molecules or ions.
Discuss principles (e.g., electrochemical, optical) and applications in environmental monitoring, healthcare, and food
safety.
9) Chemistry of Natural Products: Study bioactive compounds from natural sources (plants, marine organisms, etc.).
Investigate their isolation, structural elucidation, and potential therapeutic properties. Highlight biodiversity
conservation.
10) Chemical Warfare Agents and Countermeasures: Research chemical weapons, their history, and the science
behind their effects. Explore strategies for detection, protection, and decontamination. Discuss international efforts
to prevent their use.
11) Quantum Chemistry and Computational Modeling: Delve into quantum mechanics and its application to
molecular systems. Discuss density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics simulations, and predicting
properties of novel compounds.
12) Chemistry of Art and Cultural Heritage: Explore how Chemistry contributes to art restoration, preservation, and
authentication. Investigate techniques for analyzing pigments, varnishes, and aging processes in historical artifacts.
13) Chemical Communication in Nature: Study chemical signaling among organisms. Topics may include
pheromones, allelopathy, and plant-herbivore interactions. Discuss ecological implications and potential applications.
14) Nuclear Reactions: Explore nuclear reactions such as fusion and fission. Discuss energy release, mass defect, and
the role of nuclear reactors in power generation.
15) Isotopes and Stability: Study isotopes and their stability. Explain the concept of the neutron-to-proton ratio and
the band of stability. Discuss why certain isotopes are more stable than others.
16) Medical Applications: Research nuclear medicine and its applications. Topics may include PET scans, SPECT
imaging, and radioisotope therapies. Discuss benefits and risks.
17) Nuclear Weapons and Non-Proliferation: Delve into the science behind nuclear weapons. Explore arms control
treaties, disarmament efforts, and the role of international organizations.
18) Nuclear Energy and Sustainability: Discuss the pros and cons of nuclear energy. Investigate safety measures,
waste disposal, and the potential for advanced reactor designs.
19) Nuclear Chemistry in Astrophysics: Explore how nuclear reactions occur in stars. Discuss nucleosynthesis, stellar
evolution, and the origin of elements.
20) Crystallography: Delve into crystal structures and symmetry. Explore concepts like unit cells, lattice points, and
Miller indices. Discuss how crystallography impacts material properties.
21) Mechanical Properties: Explore material strength, hardness, elasticity, and toughness. Discuss stress-strain curves,
yield strength, and fracture mechanics. Relate these properties to real-world applications.
22) Thermal Properties: Investigate thermal conductivity, specific heat, and coefficient of thermal expansion. Discuss
how materials respond to temperature changes and their role in engineering.
23) Electrical and Magnetic Materials: Research conductors, insulators, and semiconductors. Explore
superconductors, ferromagnetism, and applications in electronics and energy storage.
24) Materials Characterization Techniques: Discuss methods like X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and
spectroscopy. Explain how these techniques reveal material structures and defects.
25) Smart Materials and Shape Memory Alloys: Explore materials that respond to external stimuli (e.g., temperature,
light, stress). Discuss applications like shape memory alloys in medical devices.
26) Biocompatible Materials: Investigate materials used in medical implants, prosthetics, and tissue engineering.
Discuss biocompatibility, degradation, and regenerative medicine.
27) Materials Recycling and Sustainability: Highlight the importance of recycling and sustainable materials. Discuss
circular economy principles and reducing environmental impact.
28) Aromatic Compounds: Study benzene and its derivatives. Explore resonance, electrophilic aromatic substitution,
and the stability of aromatic systems. Discuss applications in pharmaceuticals and materials.
29) Bioorganic Chemistry: Connect organic chemistry to biological systems. Explore amino acids, peptides,
nucleotides, and carbohydrates. Discuss enzyme-catalyzed reactions and metabolic pathways.
30) Isomerism: Explore structural isomerism (chain, position, and functional group isomers) and stereoisomerism (cistrans and enantiomers). Discuss the significance of isomerism in drug design and natural products.
31) Computational Chemistry: Dive into computational modeling and simulations to predict molecular behavior,
optimize structures, or explore reaction pathways.
32) Drug Design and Discovery: Investigate novel approaches for designing drugs, optimizing their efficacy, and
minimizing side effects. Explore computational methods, molecular modeling, and virtual screening techniques.
33) Biochemical Mechanisms of Drug Action: Study how drugs interact with biological targets (enzymes, receptors,
proteins) at the molecular level. Investigate drug-receptor binding, allosteric modulation, and signal transduction
pathways.
34) Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR): Analyze how chemical modifications affect a drug’s activity. Explore SAR
studies for specific drug classes or disease targets.
35) Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics: Examine drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
(ADME). Understand drug-receptor interactions and dose-response relationships.
36) Natural Products and Herbal Medicines: Investigate bioactive compounds from natural sources (plants, fungi,
marine organisms). Explore their potential therapeutic applications.
37) Peptide and Protein-Based Therapeutics: Develop peptides, antibodies, and other biologics for disease treatment.
Study their stability, delivery, and targeting.
38) Cancer Chemotherapy: Investigate targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and combination treatments. Study drug
resistance mechanisms in cancer cells.
39) Neuropharmacology: Focus on drugs for neurological disorders (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy). Explore
neurotransmitter systems and neuroprotective agents.
NAMES: ________________________________________________________________________ PERIOD: __________
GRADING:
Content Knowledge and Understanding (40 points)
 Accuracy (10 points):
o Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the chosen Chemistry topic.
o Provides accurate information, supported by reliable sources.
 Depth of Research (15 points):
o Goes beyond surface-level facts.
o Incorporates relevant details, historical context, and recent developments.
 Clarity of Explanations (15 points):
o Clearly explains complex concepts.
o Uses appropriate terminology.
Critical Thinking and Analysis (20 points)
 Critical Evaluation (10 points):
o Analyzes strengths and limitations of research.
o Identifies gaps or unanswered questions.
 Synthesis (10 points):
o Integrates information from multiple sources.
o Draws insightful conclusions
Presentation Skills (20 points)
 Oral Presentation (10 points):
o Engages the audience.
o Speaks confidently and maintains eye contact.
o Uses visual aids effectively.
 Visual Aids (10 points):
o Clear, well-designed slides or posters.
o Enhances understanding without overwhelming.
Application and Relevance (10 points)
 Real-World Connections (5 points):
o Discusses practical applications of the topic.
o Relates Chemistry concepts to everyday life.
 Interdisciplinary Links (5 points):
o Considers connections to other fields (biology, physics, engineering).
Overall Impact (10 points)
 Contribution to Understanding (5 points):
o Enhances overall class understanding of Chemistry.
o Provides valuable insights.
 Engagement (5 points):
o Captures interest and curiosity.
TOTAL: ___________/100
Points
_____/10
_____/15
_____/15
_____/10
_____/10
_____/10
_____/10
_____/5
_____/5
_____/5
_____/5