Putnam-Westchester Industry & Science Teacher Alliance 

Methods of Teaching AP Chemistry

( Sequence,  Vernier Technology,  Chemical Reactions, Kinetics, Equilibrium and Acid / Base Chemistry)

Presented by 

Mark Langella , Veteran AP Chemistry, Honors Chemistry Instructor and AP Consultant,  Mahopac High School, Mahopac, New York

This four day  summer institute will provide an opportunity for high school AP Chemistry teachers to observe significant teaching demonstrations, perform experimental procedures using computer interfaced equipment, and to review with presenters a variety of topics covered in AP Chemistry. 

* College Board, AP, Advanced Placement Program, AP Vertical Teams, Pre-AP and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission

Topics to be covered will include: 

I.    Course Description

This course surveys the basic structure and content necessary for an Advanced Placement Chemistry course. Chemistry topics such as equilibrium, kinetics, and “how to” problem solving are presented, along with special emphasis on the descriptive chemistry of reactions. Class size, student selection, textbooks and labs are also addressed. Special attention is paid to teaching strategies, the AP exam and its grading. Some lab experiments suitable for AP classes are incorporated into the course. Participants receive examples of past AP exams, appropriate tests, worksheets and lab experiments.

This course will provide an overview of the redesigned Advanced Placement Chemistry  course. In the redesigned AP Exam, the College Board, in collaboration with the National Science Foundation, has done the following:

• reduced content breadth to promote conceptual understanding;
• provided an explicit, comprehensive curriculum framework;
• directed that scientific inquiry and student-directed lab exercises will replace the twelve lab exercises currently in use, with the concomitant development of student inquiry skills;
• articulated clear learning objectives;
• redesigned the format for the AP Chemistry  exam (new exam format to be implemented May 2014).

Participants will have the opportunity to perform several lab exercises that align with the College Board redesign. Best practices will be discussed. Information about the requirements for the AP Chemistry Course Audit for 2013-14 will be shared."

All participants will have access for the four days of the workshop to

II.    Goals/Objectives

The institute will provide information and materials to participating teachers that will:

III.   Assignments/Requirements

Assignments for the workshop will be the submission of a detailed lab write ups and calculations of problems assigned during the lab activities. Each Participant will be asked to present AP problems to all the participants.

IV.   Required Texts/Reading

At the workshop, we will distribute to each of participants  a hardcopy of the grading standards for the recent free-response questions as well as a compilation of free-response questions from previous years.  Participants will be assigned AP problems for homework.  Lab data and calculations will be collected and used as part of your assessment.

Online Reading and Assignments http://www.pwista.com/apassignment.htm

V.     Grading Criteria

VI.    Attendance Policy

Attendance in all sessions.

VI.  Bibliography

Date: June 25^th- June 28 ^th, 2012

Time : 8:00 AM-3:30 PM 

Cost:  $695.00

Place: Science Wing, Mahopac High School, Mahopac, New York

Sponsored by: PWISTA and the  College Board

Credit : A 30-hour certificate toward in-service credit will be issued for use according  to your school district’s policy.

Manhattanville College - Three Graduate Science Education Credits available upon  completion of Project  at an additional cost.

For college credit information link

Directions to Mahopac HS

"Leave No Teacher Behind " is our Motto