Resources [ Links :: Bibliography ]

Check out these books and periodicals to find out more about demonstrations and related topics. These references were compiled by participants in the UO Chemistry for Educators Program. The University of Oregon makes no claims regarding the accuracy of information or the safety of demonstrations presented in these publications.

Books

• Arthur, Paul. Lecture Demonstrations in General Chemistry. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company Inc, 1939. An older chemistry lab manual with experiments sorted by chemical families and themes. Although there are lots of experiments, many are too complex for high school or require hard to find equipment.
• Barber, Jacqueline. Chemical Reactions. Berkeley, CA: GEMS Publishing, 1999. Although the experiments described in this book are designed for a younger audience, they are unique in that they are performed in ziploc bags, permitting a level of involvement typically not seen among demonstrations.
• Becker, Robert. Twenty Demonstrations Guaranteed to Knock Your Socks Off! Flinn Scientific, Inc., 1994. Nice little notebook of good demos with detailed instructions.
• Berger, Sue A., Hill, Allen E., Holmquist, Richard K., and Horsch, Elizabeth A. Element of the Week: A Descriptive Chemistry Technique. Batavia, Illinois: Flinn Scientific, Inc., 1989. A book containing 14 sections each dealing with a specific element and including demonstrations for each. There are discussion, material listings, teaching tips, safety precautions, alternate methods and procedures, disposal, etc.
• Ealy, Julie B. and Ealy, James L., Jr. Close-Up on Chemistry: Chemical Demonstrations, An American Chemical Society Video Course. American Chemical Society, 1991. These video demonstrations are meant to be shown directly to the students, but what fun is that? What these videos are best for is to show exactly what is supposed to happen before you demonstrate it yourself. The accompanying book also lists concepts covered, observations to make, and good references.
• Ealy, Julie B. and Ealy, James L., Jr. Visualizing Chemistry: Investigations for Teachers. American Chemical Society, 1995. One hundred and one great demonstrations with very clear explanations, safety information, and references. In addition to a subject index, this book has the following very helpful appendices: Topic Matrix, Chemical Index, Safety and Disposal, and Properties and Preparation of Laboratory Acids and Bases.
• Ehrlich, R. Turning the World Inside Out: And 174 Other Simple Physics Demonstrations. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Paperbacks, 1990. Lots of useful demonstrations that are useful at all levels and not just for physics.
• Ford, Leonard A. Chemical Magic: Mystery Demonstrations for Science Clubs, Classes, and General Entertainment Programs. Minneapolis, Minnesota: T.S. Denison & Company, Inc., 1959. Over 100 demonstrations from a book that is obviously dated and contains some examples that probably should not be performed in today's teaching climate, or performed very cautiously in a proper setting. There are many, however, that are performed today under different names. Each has a title, "action" step, explanation, procedure, and suggestions and/or warnings - though limited in nature.
• Fowles, G. Lecture Experiments in Chemistry, 5th ed. London: G. Bell and Sons Ltd, 1959. Has a few decent experiments but most of them involve complex glassware and setups which are not readily available for a high school classroom. Also, does not address safety concerns which have arisen since publication.
• Gordon, Lynn. 52 Amazing Science Experiments. San Francisco, California: Chronicle Books, 1998. A selection of simple science "experiments" that could easily be used as demos. Many are suitable for elementary level, but some could be used for middle or high school also. Published in the form of a deck of 52 cards, illustrated but without safety notes.
• Gross, G.R., Bilash, B., & Koob, J. A Demo a Day: A year of chemical demonstrations. Batavia, IL: Flinn Scientific, 1995. A resource of chemical demonstrations for most concepts covered in a introduction to chemistry course. Discusses application, theory, materials, safety precautions, and disposal for each of the demonstrations.
• Hades, M., and Steele, M., Eds. How To Make Flashes, Bangs and Puffs of Smoke. Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Micky Hades International, 1979. Another 60+ demonstrations from a book that is dated and also contains some demonstrations that should not be performed in today's classrooms. Each has a title, explanation, detailed procedure,suggestions and/or warnings, desired result and chemical listing. The title alone makes this book a "keeper"!
• Hennessy, David. Elementary Teacher's Classroom Science Demonstrations and Activities. Eaglewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall Inc, 1964. Book has more than just chemistry, but the emphasis was on physical science. The format was simple, with 1/2 to 3/4 page description of procedure and materials. There were even questions to lead the discussion after the demo. Some demos and questions were a little simplistic for the high school classroom as the title might imply. Content could be upgraded to be applicable at higher grade levels.
• Horning, John L. and McGinnis, George C. An Open Door to Chemistry. New York: D. Appleton-Century Company, Inc., 1946. This book is aimed at approximately middle school age students with the object of having them do it themselves so it is probably a bit elementary for high school students. But a number of the 31 experiments listed could be adapted as demonstrations for high school, using some creativity and additional knowledge.
• Humphreys, D. A. Demonstrating Chemistry. Hamilton, Ontario: McMaster University, 1983. This book contains many simple demonstrations in chemistry. Unfortunately, explanations and safety notes are nonexistent.
• Liem, Tik L. Invitations to Science Inquiry, 2nd Ed. Chino Hills, CA: Science Inquiry Enterprises, 1987. This book contains over 400 great science demonstrations with good explanations and descriptions of materials needed. They may be used for K-12, but the chemistry demonstrations are probably most suitable for high school.
• Roesky, H.W. and Möckel, K. Chemical Curiosities: Spectacular Experiments and Inspired Quotes. VCH Publishers, Inc., New York, NY. 1996. A wonderful resource consisting of 124 general chemistry demonstrations, each with a quote or short story associated with the demonstration. Safety precautions, procedure, explanation, and waste disposal are clearly outlined for each. Some pictures. Not organized by topic.
• Royal Society of Chemistry. Classic Chemistry Demonstrations. Cambridge, England: The Royal Society of Chemistry, 1996. Collection of 100 classic chemistry demonstrations to inspire and intrigue students. It includes many well-known experiments, because these will be useful to new chemistry teachers or to scientists from other disciplines who are teaching some chemistry. They have all been trailed in schools and colleges, and the vast majority of the experiments can be carried out at normal room temperature and with easily accessible equipment.
• Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A handbook for teachers of chemistry. Madison, WI : University of Wisconsin Press, 1983. Demonstrates clock reactions, batteries, electrolytic cells and plating. All demonstrations are in the following format: brief description, materials list, preparation procedures, instructions for presentations, important information about potential hazards and safe disposals, and discussions of the phenomena displayed and the principles illustrated.
• Summerlin, Lee R. and Ealy, James L., Jr. Chemical Demonstrations. American Chemical Society, 1985. 108 demonstrations broken up into multiple sections including gases, solubility, solutions, acids and bases, energy changes and more. There are procedures, teaching tips, recipes for solutions, as well as post demonstration questions. There are no pictures of set ups nor safety notes.
• Summerlin, Lee R. et al. Chemical Demonstrations: A Sourcebook for Teachers. v.2. American Chemical Society: Washington, DC. 1987. This resource is very similar to Chemical Demonstrations: A Sourcebook for Teachers - Volume 1. It contains 112 general chemistry demonstrations, organized by topic. Procedure, reactions, teaching tips, and questions for students are included for each. Explanations include chemical equations, but the written explanations are often not very detailed. No safety precautions, disposal notes, or pictures.
• Summerlin, Lee R. & Ealy, James L. Jr. Chemical Demonstrations: A sourcebook for teachers, v.1, 2nd ed. Washington D.C.: American Chemical Society, 1988. A great sourcebook with over 100 chemistry demonstrations. Most are one page, simple reactions using chemicals easily accessible for a high school classroom.
• UNESCO. 700 Experiments for Everyone. New York: Doubleday, 1962. This is an older book of demonstrations, but it has tons of ideas that are really good for middle school or introductory high school classes where equipment and chemical accessibility is a problem.
• Woodburn, J.H, Sanford, L.R., Brawley Jr., W.J. Demonstrations and Activities For High School Chemistry. West Nyack, NY: Parker Publishing Company Inc., 1971. The chapters are broken up into student and teacher instructional activities. There are many sections, including matter, stoichiometry, acid/base, periodicity and more. There are no pictures, but there are hundreds of references to other material at the end of each section.

Periodicals

• Chem13 News. Waterloo, Ontario: University of Waterloo. This informal periodical is published by the University of Waterloo Department of Chemistry and contains a wealth of information for teaching chemistry at the high school and college level, including but not limited to chemical demonstrations.
• Journal of College Science Teaching. Arlington, VA: National Science Teacher Association. In the 'Departments' section of this journal is an area called 'Favorite Demonstrations'. Some of these are very complex and may be beyond the scope of some lower level high school classes, but a good challenge for honors or AP classes.
• Science Teacher. Arlington, VA: National Science Teacher Association. Every third or fourth edition has a demonstration article. Usually this is a small section in the back, but is well detailed. In addition, this journal is a great reference for teachers looking for classroom experiments, some of which could be adjusted to be demonstrations.