Tracy Kirsten

My article on girls’ confidence in physical sciences and the role gender plays in the classroom, which appeared in the Dec 2021 issue of the peer-reviewed journal, 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸, published by @theASE #WomenInScience drive.google.com/file/d/13zM…

Retrieval practice with a difference! Lots of animated voices and laughter in the first week of the school year. Ss had such fun describing terms used in chem bonding and IMFs with my handmade 30 Seconds games. Such a hit, we’ll use them for other sections as well 🎲#iteachchem

Ss love these redox activities..always such a buzz in the classroom! The colourful lollipop expt 🍭 and redox art, etching their creations on Al foil , then painting with CuCl2, and watching the reaction unfold. 🧪 #ITeachChem

With global attrition rates of Ts steadily increasing, collaboration btwn Ts within communities and beyond borders is crucial. @Mrpchemistry, pres of @AACTconnect writes a superb article on this, citing our visit from SA to his school in NY this year 🇿🇦 🇺🇲 teachchemistry.org/periodica…

Modelling concentration and dilution of solutions. Grateful to my US friends for the inspiration, leads to much deeper understanding for Ss 🙌🏼 @Mrpchemistry @APchemisMe @IBchemmilam @KatyDornbos #iteachchem

Ss were promised chocolate if they could break the egg when thrown at the sheet…my chocolate was safe, but we did have some epic bloopers! 🥚🥚Such a simple and fun way to demonstrate relationship between force and time during an impulse #ITeachPhysics

Electroplating copper with zinc, adding masked patterns was such a fun way to revise electrolytic cells. Thanks @AACTconnect, a great resource 👏🏼 #ITeachChem

So much science in one test tube! #ITeachPhysics #ITeachChem

Since Jan, we have been a #PhoneFreeSchool. No phones 7.20-2.15; serious consequences if they are seen. Huge buy in from parents. After the initial few weeks of detox, we are noticing more relaxed, engaged Ss who actually talk to each other during break #edutwitter

We met some brilliant Physics Ts on our travels. Talking all things circuits and the CTM with @emc2andallthat in London, being part of an electromagnetism class with the amazing @eric_mazur at Harvard and watching @Rob_Krakehl teach angular momentum were highlights #iteachphysics

Such an honour to spend a day at school with @Mrpchemistry observing great Chemistry teaching and interacting with students, and to finally meet and chat with @APchemisMe about modelling instruction. So grateful to our school in SA for this opportunity #iteachchem

This is just the most superb activity to introduce chemical equilibrium. Been using it for a couple of years now, Ss get it right away! Adaptation from @FlinnScientific and idea from @Mrpchemistry 👏🏼 #iteachchem drive.google.com/file/d/1WdP…

Happy Valentine’s Day, fellow Chemistry teachers. Check out the #GoogleDoodle today. Chemistry = Love 🩷💕🩷 #iteachchem

This simple investigation is so effective at getting Ss thinking about how IMFs affect physical properties, and looking for patterns and anomalies with molecular shapes. Robust discussion among the groups. Thanks @SchmidtChemist for the inspiration. #iteachchem

So many new terms and unfamiliar phrases when teaching Waves to 9th graders 🌊 I’ve found card sort activities for most sections to be so beneficial in helping Ss consolidate and organise their knowledge. @Mrpchemistry introduced me to them - winner!👏🏼#iteachphysics #iteachchem

My school is sending two of us to eastern US next year to learn from great science Ts. We’ve a gap on 27/3 in Boston and 28/3 in New Haven. Any Physics/Chem teachers who are doing cool stuff like a visit from us to share their pedagogy? 🇿🇦🇺🇸#iteachphysics #iteachchem

Who knew @pascoscientific SmartCarts could simulate a bouncing ball so brilliantly! Wonderful real-time graphs which greatly increased Ss understanding of this challenging concept. #iteachphysics

I never cease to be amazed at the value @pascoscientific #SmartCarts add to our kinematics lessons. Graphs of motion are conceptually challenging, but with this real-time visualisation, my Ss connections and understanding increases significantly. #iteachphysics

We’ve joined from South Africa, and the investment has been worth every cent. @AACTconnect provides the most inspiring resources and support for teachers globally 🇿🇦 #iteachchem

Such engagement in this #microscalechemistry activity setting up galvanic cells in a Petri dish. Ss found emf between different metals and worked out reactivity series for themselves. Electrochem simplified! Thanks @dave2004b and @RSC_EiC for this amazing resource. #iteachchem

Every year I teach this, my Ss and I get a thrill. Lenz’s Law is flipping amazing..literally!⚡️ I’m a Chem major, but Physics is part of my teaching package, and I’m so grateful I get to do this #iteachphysics