Chemistry

Chris Norton

Chris Norton has been an outstanding Chemistry teacher for over twenty years becoming an expert in her field while sustaining and supporting student needs. She has held a variety of roles within the school such as Science Fair Coordinator, National Honor Society Advisor, Senior Sponsor, Lab Safety Officer, and Tutoring Supervisor. She has served on numerous committees and task forces during her tenure. For several years, she shared her experiences with at the Hoosier Association for Science Teachers, Inc., and plans to continue doing so. While working closely with Ball State University’s Chemistry department, she has recommended and supervised students working with BSU’s professors on their research projects, partnered with BSU for lab coursework with her students, is currently working on developing a lab curriculum for Advanced Placement Chemistry and General Chemistry, has been a part of a National Science Foundation grant for new molecular imaging equipment and currently has another NSF project in the works combining computer programing, gaming, and chemical reactions. Recently, she was named in Indiana’s Top 25 Educators for 2022. She loves working at the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities, Indiana’s Number 1 ranking high school, located on Ball State University’s campus where she teaches General Chemistry, AP Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry.

Course Description

This APSI enables both new and experienced teachers to the College Board curriculum for AP
Chemistry. We will examine the Science Practices which include using models and representations,
questioning and methods, representing data, model analysis, mathematical ideas, and argumentation.
Additionally, we will examine the Learning Objectives as outlined by College Board and utilize the Course and Exam CED for course planning and delivery. New teachers will have the opportunity to plan their yearlong course and experienced teachers will have the opportunity to offer insight and support as well as find new solutions to current struggles within their course.

Each participant will have the opportunity to preview and practice scoring previous exams using the
resources provided by college board on AP Classroom. Participants will learn how to set up quizzes, find multiple choice and free response questions for exams, and explore the discussion boards. As we practice scoring exams, we will discuss areas in which students consistently lose points and how to help students avoid those pitfalls. It is clear from working in past APSI’s, participants attend with a variety of needs, and this course will allow everyone the opportunity to share their needs on day one and modifications can be made. You will leave this course feeing empowered and excited about teaching AP Chemistry.

Agenda

Day 1

• Nametag activity
• Overview of the Course and Exam Description (CED)
• Exploring AP Central: A look at resources
• Introductory Inquiry Lab – Baggie Lab – Signs of a Chemical Reaction
• Inquiry Lab – Analysis of H₂O₂ in Dental Whiteners via KMnO₄ Titration

Day 2

• A closer look at the CED
• Incorporating the Learning Objectives into the course
• Lab – Decomposition of Crystal Violet and Activation Energy

Day 3

• Exploring the Science Practices
• Increasing the level of inquiry in lab work and classroom activities
• Exploring the Exam
  • Preparing students for multiple-choice questions
  • A detailed look at long and short FRQ
  • Scoring long and short FRQ
  • Preparing students for multiple-choice questions
• Lab – Mystery Solutions

Day 4

• Content – Choice of Participants
• Scoring long and short FRQ
• AP Course Audit
• Lab – Le Chatelier’s Principle

This course will be assessed a lab fee. All of the science courses are conducted in labs equipped with state regulated safety equipment.