This article presents an assignment in which students are to research and report on a chemical reaction whose increased or decreased rate is of practical importance. Specifically, students are asked to represent the reaction they have chosen with an acceptable chemical equation, identify a factor that influences its rate and explain how and why it does so, and describe the relevance of the reaction occurring at a slower or faster rate under this condition. The assignment is designed to develop and assess a number of valuable skills and understandings, including the ability to write effectively.
Supplement
A student assignment sheet, scoring guide for peer, self, and teacher assessment of the assignment, descriptions of 30 research topics for this assignment, and a model report and five samples of student work are available.
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