Katy Dornbos
@katydornbos.bsky.social
HS Chem/STEM/Physics teacher. Sci. Dept chair. PAEMST 2021 finalist - Nebraska. Lover of Truth wherever it may be found.
“Which piece of glassware is best for measuring liquids?” I have created and drawn some items for chemistry education. I’ve enjoyed making them, and hope you might find them helpful and fun for your students! LINK: www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/kd-edu...
Katy Dornbos@katydornbos.bsky.social · 2y agoI have been working on something…for like a couple years. And am excited that it’s getting close to ready.
Grateful to be a 2021 PAEMST Awardee. And grateful for Dianne Epp (my chem teacher), Bob Curtright (cooperating teacher) and Jim Rynearson (mentor), past PAEMST winners who nurtured me and my love for teaching. Completing this application remains one of the most formative professional experiences.
I'm writing a book about teaching chemistry with an emphasis on particulate representations. I started about a year ago and have drafts of every chapter plus figures for about 60% of the book. This is the revised Fig. 1.1 and it's actually the first PR my students encounter.
Helping students come to imagine our world on the atomic level. These will be part of a “lab pack”, hoping for a launch in early 2025!
Katy Dornbos@katydornbos.bsky.social · 2y agoCan you find the match(es)?
“It is easy to see that the world is wounded, hard to see that its healing begins in our own heart.” - Caryll Houselander
Flame test or “firework investigation” lab🎆🎇 Great for a Friday!
Today in homeroom, in front of the whole class (15 boys, 3 girls), I went through and said what I admire/appreciate about each of them. And as we did some "interior work" later in the class, kids were giving authentic answers (not the norm😉). Maybe 'being honored' frees us.
Connecting pictures and text isn’t intuitive for some students. So…I’ve learned to be clear and simply ask them to do it. After Thanksgiving Break, here’s what STEM students know about water purification. 👏
So, elements are getting heavier…but aren’t getting bigger?! One of my all time favorites: Graphing Atomic Radius Look at that prediction vs actual😍 #iteachchem #scied #EduSky
“Experience before explanation” Giving students a common “what” helps them explore “why”.👏👏
Jeff Bracken@wnchem.bsky.social · 2y ago"How does the pH change during a titration?" Vernier's GoDirect pH sensors allowed my students to see the curve before we discuss it. #ExperienceBeforeExplanation
Excited to present at #ChemEd2025 but not sure where to start? Check out our presentation strands to get an idea! Submissions for presentation proposals is OPEN NOW, at learn.mines.edu/chemed2025/sub… Spread the word! 🧪⛏�� #iteachchem @coschoolofmines
My 56 dual-credit chem students are partnering with “Know Your Well” to test private well water in our community 🙌🏼🙌🏼 I’m like 70% certain they have everything they need, and 70% certain they’ll be solving a LOT of problems on the fly in the field. And 100% certain they’ll do great.
How do you help HS Ss grow in ownership and pride in their work? Related: how do you provide Ss authentic ways to engage with the community (school, family, city, state)? @aserkin.bsky.social @secaurphysics.bsky.social @martastoeckel.bsky.social @teresamarx.bsky.social @drpchemistry.bsky.social
Sometimes I look at the art on my walls and think about how the idea of art may be older than the idea of walls.
I have been working on something…for like a couple years. And am excited that it’s getting close to ready.
Ariel Serkin@aserkin.bsky.social · 2y agoFollowing up to @katydornbos.bsky.social : How do you use multiple representations in your science class to help teach/explain a concept? tag a teacher to get/keep the conversation going #EduSky🍎 #iTeachChem🥽 @snysci.bsky.social @secaurphysics.bsky.social @deestemteach.bsky.social
A person on a bicycle is by far the most energy-efficient among animals and machines per distance traveled relative to body weight. The bicycle is magic. www.jstor.org/stable/24923...
Alright. Science Ed question: What’s one way you assess your students that doesn’t take much of your time, and give them quick feedback? Looking for quick, fun, effective answers! And please tag a friend to grow the network! @aserkin.bsky.social @wnchem.bsky.social @drpchemistry.bsky.social
Cleaning out inventory - 5 sticker sheets remain! $8 each or $30 for all (plus shipping). They're shiny, durable, and fun. ✅Stocking stuffers! ✅Upcoming b-day for a science loving kid! ✅Award a "job well done" in science class! Order here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Being finished ≠ Understanding Trying to help Ss own their learning: 1) What % DONE are you w/this work? 2) What % CONFIDENT are you w/this work? This takes humility, self-awareness, & maturity. And it's an important skill in college, family life, etc.
We have a big ol’ project where students Zoom with researchers/engineers. It’s awesome. And after day 1, they’re all at different spots. 🤪 This chart has helped students (and me!) immensely. Plus Ss are naturally competitive, so this public display is helpful😏
“The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts.” - C. S. Lewis Also pictured, my sweet 5 yo niece who “wants to be a scientist” when she grows up. Something tells me I may be hosting a lab-themed bday party sometime soon…
Every night in Lourdes France, there is a candlelight procession and rosary with 5,000+ pilgrims. It’s so peaceful and beautiful. Today’s closing hymn at Mass was the same as the one we sang each night in Lourdes. What a wonderful nod to memories this summer 💙
Could one tire of the sunsets and sunrises this time of year? No. The correct answer is no, this is impossible. Also, this gem: “Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, 'You owe me.' Look what happens with a love like that. It lights the whole sky.” - Hafez
Stealing this question (from Matt Swaim): What books have you bought more than once? (Isn’t that just a fun question?)
“I have something to show you…I took a picture of your drawing and my dad made it into a shirt.” This is a first, folks.
