Introduction
I teach Honors Chemistry & AP Chemistry at Benjamin E. Mays High school. Mays High is a Magnet school for Science and Mathematics in the school district, in addition to other smaller learning communities. All together Mays High is serving about 1700 to 1800 students. The population at Mays is approximately 98% African American and 2% Hispanic. Mays High is a 'Title I' school where more than 50% students are eligible for Free or Reduced Lunch. Students in the Magnet Program are required to take a minimum of three Advanced Placement classes, in addition to regular graduation requirements, which include a one year of chemistry. These requirements send almost each and every Magnet Student through my door.
Some of my students have a strong background and interest in science, as their goal is to go to college for a science major, while others are not interested in a science major. I always find my class to contain a heterogeneous mixture of science knowledge. This forces me to teach the basic elements, principles of chemistry and math skills in a chemistry class while preparing them for more advanced classes, which is very challenging. The greatest challenge of students of chemistry is doing multi-step problems using some basic math skills and chemical concepts.
Food is one of the most important basic needs of life and most of us love food. The unit will associate the idea of healthy food habits with an understanding of key chemistry concepts. One key concept is stoichiometry, which is a necessary tool for chemists - this unit connects food with stoichiometry to drive student's interest towards chemistry. One particular goal of the unit is for students to do calculations without using the word "stoichiometry." Another goal is to educate students to make the right choices in selecting healthy food, which is good for their body This helps students to be physically healthier as they may tend to choose the right food and would be active in chemistry class, as well. Throughout the unit the activities will involve food and chemistry, emphasizing the importance of chemistry in healthy food choices. The activities incorporate math calculations that will lead students to central concepts of chemistry: stoichiometry and limiting reactant.
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