Better Living Through Chemistry

I was a substitute for a high school chemistry teacher today. Accepting the assignment brought on a dread that my day would be spend proctoring an exam, but much to my surprise, I was given solid content including a very decent video and a double period lab about the pH of common household products. Three advanced placement students seeking extra credit were on hand for the lab so that I, a reading and English certified teacher, could function in the classroom. The expected tools of litmus paper and even cabbage juice did not overwhelm me, but my heaven sent aids recalibrated the computer wands that were put into the solution samples to produce digital readouts of the hydrogen saturation (how does that sound). Buffer solutions with 7 (neutral) and 4 (slightly acidic) were used to calibrate the equipment. Later in the day I was asked to fill in for a French teacher. I have to say that subbing is not for the meek. I learn so much every day. It is delightful learn new things and to see what kids are asked to learn. I wanted to make a real world connection for the chemistry classes and forgot to tell them that our local paper advertises for volunteers to test water quality on a monthly basis: This would probably involve the same equipment that they used in class today.