The space program and media based on it have provided fascinating examples that can be used to expore chemical principles. The HBO series From the Earth to the Moon and a documentary Moonshot provide examples for teaching chemical principles from the Apollo missions. A docking problem between two spacecrafts occurred during the Apollo 14 mission. This situation can be used to discuss the conditions necessary for a chemical reaction. A catastrophic fire on Apollo 1 can be used to illustrate the influence of different conditions on the rate of a reaction. Lightning striking Apollo 12 during liftoff showed the consequence of adding ions to solution. The landing of Apollo 12, which touched down only 535 feet from Surveyor 3, can be used to teach accuracy and absolute and relative error. The astronauts of Apollo 15 discovered a sample of the primordial lunar crust, and during Apollo 17, astronauts discovered orange dust on the moon. These discoveries can be used to demonstrate the importance of trained observation skills and analytical thinking.
The "Chemistry Teacher Connection" (CTC) is especially for high school chemistry teachers. For only $40/year, it offers an online-only subscription to CLIC along with membership in the Division of Chemical Education, normally $65/year. CTC subscribers receive access to all articles and supplements from 1996 through the current issue.
Through special arrangement with the ACS, JCE High School CLIC is now able to provide subscribers with online access to Chemical & Engineering News articles that have been selected specifically for secondary science instructors and their students.
Occasionally, collections of JCE back issues become available for donation to individual teachers, schools, or libraries. JCE matches collections with interested recipients. Recipients pay shipping costs or pick up the collection.