SLiThErs - Supporting Learning with Interactive Teaching: a Hosted, Engaging Roundtable

A collection of all of the IONiC VIPEr SLiThErs (Supporting Learning with Interactive Teaching: a Hosted, Engaging Roundtable). These events are short presentations on a topic followed by a period of discussion between the presenter and live participants. Each of these events is recorded and posted to the IONiC VIPEr YouTube Channel.

Chip Nataro / Lafayette College Thu, 12/17/2020 - 14:18

Developing student learning goals and assessments for VIPEr learning objects

Submitted by Joanne Stewart / Hope College on Sat, 06/20/2009 - 07:47
Description

All VIPEr learning objects are supposed to include clear student learning goals and a suggested way to assess the learning. This "five slides about" provides a brief introduction to the "Understanding by Design" or "backward design" approach to curriculum development and will help you develop your VIPEr learning object.

Comparing the Solid- and Solution-State Stoichiometry of Metal Complexes with Schiff-base Ligands
Description

This research-based laboratory series investigates the stoichiometry of metal ion complexes of the Schiff-base ligand salicylaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone (SBH) in both the solid and solution states using gravimetric analysis and UV-VIS spectroscopy.

Peter Craig / McDaniel College Mon, 05/11/2026 - 17:32

150 Interactive VSEPR Molecules (with lone pairs and pi)

Submitted by George Lisensky / Beloit College on Tue, 04/14/2026 - 15:30
Description

In our course sequence, students use VSEPR in general chemistry. Organic chemistry uses hybrid orbitals and pi-bonding. When students get to inorganic chemistry, they are often confused by the two descriptions, especially with a steric number (lone pairs plus bonded atoms) greater than four.

This activity is designed to serve as a bridge between multiple levels and returned to in more than one course.
150 different molecules can be manipulated in JSmol, with options to show multiple bonds, lone pairs, and orbitals suitable for pi-bonding.
 

SLiThEr #65: Publishing at a PUI

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Mon, 07/28/2025 - 07:52
Description

Kyle Grice (DePaul) and Jacob Lutter (University of Southern Indiana) will present on how they have been successful in designing and publishing research at their respective PUI.

SLiThEr #64: Developing ACS Guidelines for Undergraduate Chemistry Programs

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Mon, 07/28/2025 - 07:41
Description

A discussion about the 2023 ACS Guidelines for Undergraduate Chemistry Programs with Michelle Brooks (Assistant Director of the Office of Higher Education at ACS), Cora MacBeth (Emory University) and Barb Reisner (James Madison University). Additional discussion is available to registered faculty users.

SLiThEr #63: Catching up with Reilly and Sydney

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Mon, 07/28/2025 - 07:25
Description

This goes back to SLiThEr #14 when we interviewed two senior undergraduates in the midst of the COVID pandemic. At the time of this SLiThEr, both are in graduate school and getting close to their PhD.

Reilly Gwinn (Virginia Tech) and Sydney Towell (UNC - Chapel Hill) update us on their career paths.

AsF5 - a superacid for super review!

Submitted by James F. Dunne / Central College on Fri, 02/21/2025 - 13:02
Description

This LO was developed as a review activity for the end of the semester.  Students are required to touch on a wide range of topics including acid-base theories, crystal systems, point groups, the spectrochemical series, and 19F NMR spectroscopy.  A close reading of the paper is required helping to build student comprehension of the literature.

Exploring the Electronegativity and Hardness of the Noble Gases

Submitted by James F. Dunne / Central College on Fri, 02/21/2025 - 11:15
Description

This is a literature discussion focused on calculating and comparing the Mulliken electronegativites of the noble gases. Students can explore how this periodic property extends into the noble gases and impacts the observed reactivity of Group 18 compounds.  The discussion could be used either as an in-class activity or a homework assignment.