They might also notice that there is a white area in the center of both. For example, students can see that particular areas of both the drawing and an electron density probability graphic are darker closer to the center. Students share their observations, then the instructor helps them link the drawing pattern to one that they would see for the electron density of an sorbital. Students draw a repeating pattern using specific pieces from the toy. They suggest using the Spirograph to introduce orbitals. Kurushkin and Tracey connect this gear-based drawing toy to electron location in the student activity they describe in Introducing Electron Probability Density to High School Students Using a Spiral Drawing Toy (available to JCE subscribers *). The March 2019 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education led me to the closet shelves to retrieve one of my thrift store purchases: the Spirograph. I’ve brought in a favorite science-related jigsaw puzzle or two to piece together with students during spare minutes, used Scattergories list categories for brain breaks, and more. The closet also pays off in classroom possibilities. Sure, I could say it’s just for any grandchildren that may eventually come into our lives, but that’s not all.

$science scattergories list$

Even after my kids move out of the house, the toy/game closet will remain.

Science scattergories list